Lead Plant Engineer

The Lead Plant Engineer is responsible for leading engineering, capital, and operational improvement projects while supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of plant facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. This role provides technical leadership and supervision of engineering and technical staff, manages project scope, schedules, budgets, and resources, and partners with operations and maintenance teams to drive reliability, asset management, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Lead Plant Engineer oversees engineering design, equipment selection, facility upgrades, and construction activities, while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements and supporting long-term plant performance and operational excellence.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

KY Buckner

Job Type:

Engineering Project Engineering

Job Posting Title:

Lead Plant Engineer

Job Description:

Schedule: 1st shift Monday-Friday, with flexibility as needed to meet plant needs including weekend hours

Work Location: 1 Quality Place, Buckner, KY 40010

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $73k -$124k annually with additional bonus potential

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage capital and operational projects from planning through design, construction, and commissioning, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations.

• Provide day-to-day leadership and supervision of junior staff, including engineers and technical personnel; support workload planning, mentoring, and performance development.

• Oversee aspects of plant operations as directed, to include but not limited to facility and wastewater facility performance, ensuring systems, equipment, and infrastructure operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory standards.

• Coordinate with operations and maintenance teams to support preventative maintenance programs, facility upgrades, and reliability initiatives.

• Lead business development efforts, including preparation of proposals, technical approaches, cost estimates, and client presentations.

• Prepare and review technical memoranda, engineering assessments, and design reports for water and wastewater treatment facilities.

• Perform and oversee engineering design calculations, process evaluations, and technical analyses.

• Direct equipment sizing, selection, and specification development, ensuring compatibility with operational and facility requirements.

• Develop and review construction documents (plans, specifications, and contract documents) and provide support during bidding, construction management, and commissioning phases.

• Conduct fieldwork and site visits to assess existing conditions, monitor project progress, and support facility and operational improvements (travel may be required).

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies to ensure successful project execution and long-term facility performance.

• Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement across project and operational activities.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Experience and Education

• Demonstrated experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and staff, including mentoring and performance oversight.

• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex engineering and plant-related projects.

• Solid project management experience, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource coordination.

• Experience in the water/wastewater industry, including exposure to plant operations and facility systems.

• Working knowledge of facility systems, asset management practices, and maintenance coordination within a plant environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage staff, clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies.

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Self-starter with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Industrial, or Biosystems Engineering.

• Experience supporting or coordinating plant operations, maintenance programs, or facility improvements.

• Familiarity with asset management systems and capital planning processes.

• Experience with continuous improvement, process optimization, or operational efficiency initiatives.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Must be able to perform the following:  standing, climbing, pulling, and or pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning and stooping.

• Ability to walk and/or stand for extended periods of time. 

• Good physical condition with the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. frequently.

• Good hand/eye coordination, motor skills, 20/20 corrected vision and hearing within the normal range.

Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements:

• Must wear all required personal protection equipment associated with specific manufacturing work environment and job duties as stated in the Employee Handbook, posted policies, or as assigned by leadership personnel.

• Maintain clean and safe working environment and follow all safety policies and procedures, such as lock out/tag out, safe lifting techniques, and all others as instructed.

• Inform Management of any food safety or quality issues or of any processes which become noncompliant with specified requirements.

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.