Mechanical Engineer - Technical Team

job purpose:

fairlife operates two large low acid aseptic bottling facilities in Coopersville, MI and Goodyear, AZ as well as a smaller filtrated products manufacturing site in Dexter, NM. A third large plant is currently being commissioned in Webster, NY. The technical team also supports the fairlife Canada plant in Peterborough, ON.

The Utilities & Mechanical Engineer is responsible for providing specialized technical oversight, and leading projects through design, construction and operation for all plant utilities systems, ensuring the assigned plants are not stopped due to insufficient utility capacity, reliability or incorrect operation while implementing a utilities strategy to deliver company efficiency and sustainability goals.

Apart from technical and people skills, this position requires a strong sense of purpose and ownership in your work, urgency in dealing with issues with minimal supervision, a desire to constantly learn and above all a ‘One Team’ mind set to work through challenges.

responsibilities:

• Develop predictive demand, situation analysis tools and load management tools for utility systems based on forecasted plans for existing and new plants ensuring sufficient capacity and cost-effective operation.
• Define the standards to which all plant utilities will be designed, automated, constructed and operated under the locational quality and supply profiles negotiated with utilities suppliers while meeting all relevant Federal, State and Corporate laws, rules and regulations and sustainability goals.
• Document and clearly communicate the basis of design of all installed equipment to the plants key stakeholders.
• Provide technical support for the procurement of utilities from utility providers. A key decision maker in utilities equipment vendor selection and contract negotiation and contributor to budgeting and justification of capital projects.
• Lead construction phase and collaborate with plant & project engineering teams to ensure all project work gets performed on time and within budget including leading and supporting commissioning and validation activities, review and execution of Factory Acceptance Test and Site Acceptance Test (FAT/SAT) protocols, developing and delivering training materials.
• Technical oversight of new line/plant mechanical & utility design (mass/media balance, utilities process flow diagram, functional specifications, PID approval, HAZOP, FAT, DQ, OQ, PQ, training, ramp up etc.) and maintain up-to-date documentation.
• Solving complex processing, mechanical and utility problems following escalation from plants to improve reliability, reduce downtime, improve load management, reduce cost of ownership etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

skills/qualifications required:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering: mechanical or chemical engineering with experience in dairy industry, or process engineering with experience in wider food industry. Advanced degrees or other professional certifications preferred but not required.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in utilities design, operations and construction within milk, brewing/beverage, and chemical processing. Direct experience with design, construction, commissioning and troubleshooting of utilities is required.
• Work experience with an engineering design and construction firm as a P. Eng is highly preferred.
• Proven track record of improving manufacturing processes through re-design and automation, and the introduction of new technologies.
• Data analysis and Process modeling in Microsoft Excel is required. Process and utility modeling using software’s such as Aspen, SuperPro or others will be a value addition.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication and presentation.
• Ability to handle ambiguity and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial work environment;

food safety requirements:

• Notify management of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

position location: Webster, NY, Coopersville, MI, or Goodyear, AZ

reports to: Sr Process Development Engineer

travel: Average 30%, can range from 30% - 75% based on project timelines. Minimal international travel for FATs.