Plant Engineer - Protein

We are partnering with a leading protein manufacturer to identify an experienced Plant Engineer to support engineering operations, equipment reliability and continuous improvement across its manufacturing facility.

This is an important technical position within a fast-paced production environment where equipment performance, operational efficiency and plant reliability are critical to success. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting engineering projects, troubleshooting technical issues, improving manufacturing processes and ensuring plant equipment and infrastructure operate safely and efficiently.

Working closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Sanitation and Quality teams, the Plant Engineer will play a key role in reducing downtime, optimizing production performance and supporting the ongoing development of the facility.

The business is seeking a technically capable, hands-on engineering professional who can combine strong problem-solving skills with a practical understanding of manufacturing operations, driving improvements in equipment reliability, process efficiency and overall plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Plant Engineering: Support the safe and efficient operation of manufacturing equipment, production systems, utilities and facility infrastructure.

• Equipment Reliability: Identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, reduce mechanical failures and minimize unplanned production downtime.

• Engineering Projects: Support the planning and execution of capital projects, equipment installations, facility upgrades and manufacturing improvements.

• Troubleshooting & Problem Solving: Investigate complex equipment and process issues, conduct root-cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve production throughput, equipment efficiency, product consistency and manufacturing performance.

• Maintenance Support: Partner with Maintenance teams to improve preventative maintenance programs, equipment availability and asset reliability.

• Production Optimization: Work closely with Production leadership to identify bottlenecks, resolve technical challenges and support manufacturing targets.

• Continuous Improvement: Lead or contribute to initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving yields, optimizing processes and increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

• Equipment Installation & Commissioning: Support the installation, testing, commissioning and validation of new manufacturing equipment and production systems.

• Utilities & Infrastructure: Support the reliability and performance of plant utilities, including refrigeration, compressed air, steam, water and wastewater systems, as applicable.

• Food Safety & Sanitary Design: Ensure engineering activities and equipment modifications align with food safety, hygienic design, sanitation and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Health & Safety: Ensure engineering projects and technical activities comply with relevant safety standards, including machine guarding, lockout/tagout (LOTO) and contractor safety requirements.

• Capital Expenditure: Assist with capital project proposals, equipment specifications, cost estimates and implementation plans.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Engineering, Maintenance, FSQA, Sanitation and Operations teams to ensure technical solutions meet operational and food safety requirements.

• Performance Monitoring: Analyze equipment performance, downtime, maintenance costs and production data to identify improvement opportunities.

• Technical Documentation: Maintain engineering drawings, equipment specifications, operating procedures and relevant technical documentation.

• Contractor Management: Coordinate external engineering contractors and equipment suppliers to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule and within budget.

• Long-Term Plant Development: Support engineering strategies that improve facility capability, equipment reliability and the long-term performance of manufacturing operations.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a technically strong engineering professional with experience supporting manufacturing operations and improving the reliability and efficiency of industrial equipment.

Key requirements include:

• Proven experience in a Plant Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Project Engineer or similar engineering role within manufacturing.

• Experience in protein, meat, poultry, seafood or broader food manufacturing would be highly advantageous.

• Strong understanding of industrial manufacturing equipment, production processes and plant engineering systems.

• Experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical or process-related issues in a production environment.

• Familiarity with preventative maintenance, equipment reliability and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience supporting capital projects, equipment installations, commissioning and facility upgrades.

• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, processing equipment, conveyors, packaging lines, pumps, motors and industrial utilities.

• Understanding of food manufacturing requirements, including hygienic equipment design, sanitation access and contamination prevention.

• Knowledge of workplace safety requirements, including LOTO, machine guarding and contractor management.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement practical engineering solutions.

• Experience collaborating with Production, Maintenance, Quality and other operational stakeholders.

• Strong project management, communication and organizational skills.

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline would be advantageous, alongside relevant practical engineering experience.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Technical Impact: Play a key role in improving plant reliability, manufacturing efficiency and the performance of critical production equipment.

Engineering Variety: Work across equipment, processes, utilities, capital projects and continuous improvement initiatives within a complex protein manufacturing environment.

Operational Exposure: Partner directly with Engineering, Maintenance and Production leadership to solve real manufacturing challenges.

Opportunity to Improve: Help implement engineering solutions that reduce downtime, improve throughput and strengthen equipment reliability.

Career Progression: Develop your technical and project management capabilities within an established protein manufacturer, with potential opportunities to progress into Senior Plant Engineer, Engineering Manager or broader technical leadership roles.

Business Impact: Contribute directly to the safe, reliable and efficient production of high-quality protein products while supporting the business's wider growth objectives.