Project Process Engineer

At Danone, manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are hiring a Plant Industrialization Engineer based in Eugene, Oregon. The Engineer will perform a combination of Project Engineer (PE) and Plant Industrialization Manager (PIM) responsibilities, executing capital projects and leading industrialization of packaging, product, productivity, innovation, and renovation projects at the manufacturing facility.

The Project Engineer executes projects in processing, packaging, and utilities areas, coordinating contractors and plant teams, managing capital, ensuring safety and standards. The Plant Industrialization Manager serves as the single point of contact between the plant and cross‑functional teams, owning trial management and industrial qualification, bridging corporate and plant locations.

• Participate in and manage requisition and capital authorization requests, accountable for project spending and providing technical and management expertise as assigned by the Plant Engineering Manager.
• Translate validated business needs into equipment requirements for plant operations, including new product launches and major system repairs.
• Interact with plant teams (Packaging, Processing, Quality, Finance, Management, etc.), Corporate Engineering, Sourcing & Supplier Development, R&D, Danone Engineering Worldwide, and vendors.
• Coordinate and direct necessary resources to ensure safe, timely, and successful project completion.
• Establish professional relationships with vendors, suppliers, Danone North America sister companies, and technology sources.
• Write specifications and reference Global Danone Standards.
• Prepare technical proposals for feasibility studies of new concepts, product launches, and current product improvements.
• Assist in developing a master and strategic plan for packaging and processing departments (layout, material handling, utilities).
• Continuously improve methods and tools used for engineering and project execution.
• Provide technical guidance and support to consumer business units.
• Administer technical guidance on new projects to meet quality, food safety, and operating efficiency standards.
• Act as the single point of contact for prioritizing the weekly trial schedule, including monthly and future forecasts.
• Ensure pre‑trial tasks are completed and aligned to pre‑trial meetings with clear success criteria and resource availability.
• Lead trials, ensuring objectives are met within approved downtime, managing root cause analysis and next steps.
• Ensure post‑trial tasks are completed, aligning results to R&I trial reports, and following through on identified risks.
• Act as gatekeeper for plant to ensure qualification trial standards are followed and validated.
• Provide technical oversight during initial product production and facilitate transition of ownership to quality and production teams.
• Provide industrial input and approval on all packaging and product specifications.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Chemical, or related engineering science.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in engineering systems design for the manufacturing environment.

• Knowledge of high-speed packaging systems design and integrated automation and controls technology.
• Knowledge of dairy process engineering and PMO, 3A standards.
• Project management skills and knowledge of the project management process, tools and tasks; financial and analytical skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and MS Project.
• Ability to work with clients, vendors, and team members at all levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to rapidly assess, analyze and resolve complicated problems with little initial information.
• Proactive, professional, and able to take direction effectively.
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekend or late shifts during installation periods.
• Leadership, interpersonal, communication and self‑management skills to interact with all levels of…