Senior Project Engineer

The Senior Project Engineer serves as the plant's senior technical leader for automation, controls, machine safety, manufacturing technology, and capital project execution. This position is responsible for developing and executing automation strategies, leading manufacturing modernization initiatives, and managing projects ranging from continuous improvement efforts to multi-year capital programs. This role will also establish machine safety standards and best practices for the facility, including their incorporation into 6S audits and standards.

The Senior Project Engineer acts as the primary technical bridge between Process Engineering, EHS, Operations, Maintenance, Safety, IT, and MES Engineering to improve safe manufacturing performance through automation, digital transformation, process optimization, and equipment modernization. This role is responsible for developing long-term technology roadmaps, improving manufacturing data visibility, reducing operational risk, and driving sustainable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance.

The position complements the Senior MES Engineer by defining manufacturing technology strategy and controls architecture while leading implementation of automation, safety, and modernization projects.

• Develop and maintain the site's automation, controls, and digital manufacturing strategy.
• Establish plant standards for PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, industrial networks, instrumentation, and control system architecture.
• Lead identification, justification, and implementation of automation projects that improve safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and labor utilization.
• Drive standardization of controls platforms, electrical systems, safety systems, and manufacturing data collection systems throughout the facility.
• Provide escalation-level technical guidance on significant automation and manufacturing technology issues
• Support operations and maintenance teams in improving equipment reliability through controls and automation improvements.
• Develop and maintain equipment documentation, electrical schematics, standards, and specifications.
• Production-capacity expansion projects
• Manufacturing infrastructure improvements
• Technology investment strategy
• Major modernization programs

• Develop long-range engineering investment strategies aligned with business growth objectives.
• Lead machine and process risk assessments utilizing ISO 12100, ISO 13849, ANSI B11, NFPA 79, and applicable corporate safety standards.
• Participate in and support in machine safety audits together with EHS.
• Develop Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS) for new and modified equipment.
• Lead safety validation activities for machine safety systems and safeguarding projects.
• Establish machine safety standards and best practices for the facility, including their incorporation into 6S audits and standards.
• Support Process Safety Management (PSM) initiatives and compliance activities.
• Identify and execute engineering-based risk reduction projects.
• Partner with Safety and Operations teams to improve employee safety and reduce operational risk.
• Ensure new equipment and modifications comply with applicable electrical and machine safety requirements.

• Develop and prioritize the facility engineering capital portfolio and long-range modernization plan.
• Develop, justify, and manage automation, controls, and manufacturing technology capital projects.
• Lead projects from concept development through design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, resource plans, and business case justifications.
• Coordinate internal…