Plant Engineer
TruRoots Company | Chico, California
Base salary: $95,000-$110,000 annually | Annual bonus opportunity: 10% of annual base salary
Position SummaryThe Plant Engineer leads processing and packaging engineering projects at the Chico juice manufacturing and bottling facility, with equal responsibility for both areas. This position develops and improves juice processing systems and designs, develops, tests, and implements packaging solutions that protect products, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact from the factory to the consumer. The engineer identifies and qualifies packaging suppliers, establishes specifications, leads production trials, and manages equipment improvements and capital projects. Working directly with Operations, Quality, R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Maintenance, the position ensures materials, equipment, and operating practices work together effectively and provides limited technical support to Maintenance to sustain reliable production.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesProcessing Engineering- Lead projects to develop, modify, and optimize juice processing systems to improve capacity, yield, consistency, efficiency, and product quality.
- Evaluate processing equipment, system layouts, operating parameters, and material flow; recommend improvements based on production data, technical analysis, and business needs.
- Develop process and equipment specifications, diagrams, and operating requirements for applicable blending, pumping, piping, thermal processing, sanitation, and related systems.
- Plan and conduct processing trials and equipment evaluations with Operations, Quality, and R&D; establish acceptance criteria and document results.
- Support new product scale-up and manufacturing changes by evaluating processing capabilities and implementing required equipment or operating improvements.
- Work with Quality and equipment suppliers to ensure processing changes address sanitary design, cleanability, food safety, and applicable operating requirements.
Packaging Engineering- Design, develop, select, and improve primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, including bottles, closures, labels, cases, and pallet configurations, to protect juice products throughout filling, storage, distribution, and consumer use.
- Identify and evaluate packaging suppliers; lead technical qualification of materials and suppliers with Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Quality.
- Establish and maintain packaging specifications, drawings, test requirements, and acceptance criteria; evaluate supplier changes and resolve material performance issues.
- Develop and conduct packaging tests for material and product compatibility, closure integrity, durability, distribution performance, and shelf-life suitability in collaboration with Quality and R&D.
- Lead bottling and packaging line trials to confirm material and equipment compatibility, package quality, line efficiency, and readiness for full production.
- Work directly with operators and Maintenance to resolve filling, capping, labeling, conveying, case packing, and palletizing issues, as applicable to site equipment.
- Evaluate packaging alternatives and recommend changes that reduce material costs, damage, waste, and environmental impact while maintaining quality and production performance.
- Develop packaging operating requirements and provide employee training to support consistent setup, changeovers, handling, and correct packaging practices.
Project and Capital Management- Lead processing and packaging projects from feasibility and scope development through design, installation, commissioning, production startup, and closeout.
- Prepare project justifications, cost estimates, budgets, schedules, equipment specifications, and acceptance criteria; track progress and communicate risks and results.
- Evaluate equipment vendors, contractors, and engineering service providers; manage execution against technical, safety, food quality, budget, and schedule requirements.
- Plan and oversee factory and site acceptance testing, commissioning, and performance verification; confirm systems meet defined requirements before operational handoff.
- Coordinate installation and startup activities with plant teams to minimize production disruption and provide required documentation and training.
Maintenance Technical Support- Help Maintenance and Operations diagnose processing and packaging equipment problems using knowledge of intended system operation, equipment specifications, and operating data.
- Investigate recurring equipment failures and recommend equipment adjustments, design changes, or preventive maintenance improvements; work with suppliers and service providers to resolve technical issues.
Manufacturing Improvement and Collaboration- Analyze production losses, downtime, defects, material usage, and throughput to prioritize improvements and verify results.
- Apply practical continuous improvement methods to reduce variation, waste, and operating costs across processing and packaging operations.
- Collaborate with Operations, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Maintenance on product introductions, technical changes, and production readiness.
- Maintain accurate engineering records, including layouts, process diagrams, equipment and packaging specifications, operating procedures, and trial and commissioning reports.
- Incorporate applicable safety, GMP, food safety, environmental, and site quality requirements into engineering decisions and project execution.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Packaging, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- At least three years of relevant engineering experience in manufacturing, including demonstrated experience delivering both processing and packaging projects.
- Experience with packaging development, supplier and material evaluation, specifications, testing, and implementation on production equipment.
- Experience improving processing systems and executing equipment installation, commissioning, or production startup activities.
- Practical understanding of processing, bottling, and packaging equipment and the ability to troubleshoot performance problems with operators and maintenance personnel.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, process diagrams, equipment specifications, and technical documentation.
- Ability to manage project budgets, schedules, vendors, and multiple assignments; analyze data; and implement practical engineering solutions.
- Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety practices, and sanitary equipment design, with effective communication and employee training skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Engineering experience in juice, beverage, dairy, or other liquid food manufacturing and bottling operations.
- Experience with applicable thermal processing, clean-in-place systems, packaging compatibility, and food safety or customer audit standards.
- Experience using CAD or related design tools, applying Lean or other continuous improvement methods, and troubleshooting automation, instrumentation, or PLC-controlled equipment.
Work Environment and ScheduleThis position is based on-site at the Chico manufacturing facility and requires regular work on the production floor around operating machinery, noise, and sanitation activities. Employees must follow site safety and food safety procedures and use required protective equipment. Work schedules align with facility operations, with flexibility for off-shift or weekend trials, installations, and startup activities. Occasional travel to suppliers, vendors, or other company facilities may be required.
Compensation and BenefitsAnnual base salary is $95,000-$110,000, based on relevant qualifications and experience. The position offers a 10% annual bonus opportunity, subject to applicable plan terms, and benefits including health, dental, vision, and a 401(k) plan, subject to eligibility and plan provisions.
