Principal Process Engineer

InLine Engineers, A Gray Company, is looking for a Principal Process Engineer. InLine has been providing engineering and project management services for the development and execution of capital projects relating to processing, packaging, and facility improvements in the food and beverage industry since 1996.

Position Description

Serving as a fully competent engineer in all conventional aspects of Process Engineering discipline, plans and conducts work requiring judgment in the independent evaluation, selection, adaptation and modification of standard techniques and criteria. Significant experience preferred in food and/or beverage processing and packaging systems design and implementation. The Principal Process Engineer shall assist in the completion of internal and external projects. You will have the opportunity to work on all phases of a project, from the initial concept/ budgeting through the installation and start-up of new lines, as well as upgrades to existing production lines. For Principal Process Engineers, our goal is to provide opportunities to work with our design group and Project Managers to perform process design and assist in the successful completion of projects for our valued clients. This is a salaried, exempt position.

Direction Received

Reports to the Director/General Manager of the local office. Independently performs assignments with instructions as to the general results expected. Receives technical guidance on unusual or complex problems. Receives supervisory approval of project deliverables during the course of project implementation.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

May be assigned as Discipline Lead, Project Lead, Design Engineer, or Project Engineer. Plans, schedules, conducts, or coordinates detailed phases of the engineering work. Performs work which involves conventional engineering practice but may include a variety of complex features such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials, and difficult coordination requirements.

Work requires knowledge of precedents in Process Engineering and a good knowledge of principles and practices of food and/or beverage processing. May support construction and commissioning for projects. Help others as needed to meet department and company goals. This may require working overtime and weekends.

Responsibility for Direction of Others

As a Principal Process Engineer, may plan, organize, and supervise the work of a staff of engineers and technicians; evaluates progress of the staff and results obtained; estimates manpower needs, schedules, and assigns work to meet completion dates and budgets. In a supervisory role, is responsible for safety, quality, budget, and schedule results of the team with respect to office objectives. May lead in equipment installation oversight and/ or commissioning activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs detailed processing design calculations and simulations, prepares equipment lists and data sheets, and prepares process flow and P&ID diagrams.
• Leads various activities related to the design of specific processing units and systems, and supervises work efforts on projects and proposals.
• Collaborates with Project Management, design team, CAD Design department, Sales, vendors and customers to determine needs and solutions for batch and/or continuous processing systems and to develop specifications, to include estimation, justification, budget, schedule, design, implementation, acquisition, installation, start-up, troubleshooting, and ensure that facilities and equipment are in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Develop mass balances.
• Assist in creation and review of layout drawings.Performs on-site audits and surveys of the customer’s facilities and equipment.
• Prepares vendor and contractor bid and construction packages for project equipment, components, and installations. Lead or assist with bid analyses.
• Handles lead engineering discipline as a member of a Project Team.
• Develop written sequence of operation narratives.
• Showcase an understanding of all types of processing equipment in a range of applications.
• Satisfy the customer by completing the defined Scope of Work in timely fashion.
• Generate requirements for equipment performance and participate in vendor FAT’s, reviews and trials.
• Visit customer sites for data acquisition, meetings and to oversee installation and start-up as needed.
• Ability to close out projects successfully.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this position, the team member is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands or arms and talk or hear. They may occasionally be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision.
• Generally, normal office environment where noise level is moderate and temperature/humidity is controlled. Overtime may be required.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field from an ABET accredited curriculum, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in the detailed process design of food and beverage processing lines, or related/ transferrable expertise. Experience in the development and execution of capital projects is required.
• Experience in food/ beverage processing systems is required.
• Experience in writing scope of work documentation and managing contractors on project sites.
• AutoCAD experience is a plus.
• Prior experience with MS Outlook, MS Project, MS Excel and MS Word
• Ability to perform in a design team environment.
• Technical specification writing experience.
• Demonstrates experience in leadership, supervisory, and scheduling skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Attentiveness to detail, follow-up procedures, and documentation of action. Proficient in time management and personal organization.
• PE status is a plus.
• Travel is required.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• General understanding of automation control systems (PLC, HMI, VFD’s, etc.) is preferred.
• Ability to evaluate existing processing operations, and suggest and drive projects that provide ROI and improve productivity.
• Cross-functional networking and influencing ability.
• Strong desire and aptitude to interact and build relationships with customers.

EEO Disclaimer

• Gray is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes everyone to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.