Engineering Manager

Engineering Manager – Food Processing

Position Summary:

The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading and developing a team of mechanical engineers supporting the design, fabrication, installation, and continuous improvement of food processing and material-handling systems. This role provides technical leadership, project oversight, and cross-functional coordination to ensure solutions meet customer requirements, regulatory standards, budget, and schedule commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of mechanical engineers, designers, and project engineers.
• Oversee engineering execution for food processing equipment and systems, from concept through commissioning.
• Establish engineering standards, best practices, and design guidelines aligned with food industry requirements.
• Review and approve designs, calculations, drawings, and specifications for accuracy, safety, and compliance.
• Coordinate with operations, fabrication, quality, safety, and field installation teams to ensure seamless project delivery.
• Support project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards (USDA, FDA, OSHA, ANSI, ASME, and 3-A where applicable).
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost reduction, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Participate in customer meetings to define scope, resolve technical issues, and support business development efforts.
• Manage performance, conduct reviews, and support professional development and succession planning.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing and leading a team of mechanical engineers.
• Demonstrated experience in the food processing, food production, or related regulated manufacturing industries.
• Strong background in mechanical design of processing equipment, conveyors, material-handling systems, or similar machinery.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and budget targets.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline (preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license a plus.
• Experience working in a fabrication, OEM, or system-integration environment.
• Familiarity with sanitary design principles and hygienic equipment standards.

Core Competencies:

• Technical leadership and team development.
• Project management and execution.
• Regulatory and food safety compliance.
• Problem-solving and root-cause analysis.
• Cross-functional collaboration.

Work Environment:

This position is primarily office-based with regular interaction on the shop floor and occasional travel to customer sites and project locations as required.

In 1997, Steelial was established because our founder, Larry A. Hedrick Jr., saw an opportunity. After noticing a need in the food production industry, he decided he wanted to make an impact on food production manufacturing by offering high-quality services, engineering, and manufacturing. After seeing success in this field, he decided to expand to mechanical installation, process engineering, and project engineering and management.