Principal Mechanical Engineer

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Westchester, IL

Workplace type: Hybrid

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will lead across a broad range of mechanical engineering expertise and technical support in multiple Ingredion facilities across all Ingredion segments to meet manufacturing, quality, safety, reliability, and cost goals. Considered Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Mechanical Engineering for Utilities and Process Equipment. Supports the mechanical design of utilities and process equipment, and systems, equipment troubleshooting and optimization, development and review of projects, and support during and after major project implementation. Provides an elevated level of technical leadership through mentoring, leading multi-disciplined teams, solving technical challenges, and ensuring Ingredion applies the best technologies in its business segments globally.

This role reports to the Director of Global Process Engineering, Utilities

What you will do: 

Technical Competencies

• Provide mechanical engineering, design, and technical expertise as needed to optimize the operation of multiple Ingredion facilities across all segments. This includes conducting engineering studies, developing mechanical systems and equipment specifications, as well as selecting, designing, testing, troubleshooting, and optimizing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mechanical engineering subjects including bulk solids material handling, conveyor system, storage; liquid/slurry material movement and storage; high inertia rotating equipment, primary utilities; boilers, air compressors and cogeneration systems; tanks, silos and pressure vessels; equipment and systems sizing, design, fabrication, troubleshooting and failure analysis; general mechanical technology such as strength of materials, machine design, fluid mechanics and materials of construction.
• Evaluate and review appropriate equipment and mechanical systems designs for projects and existing operations to ensure compliance with safety, applicable codes, standards, and best practices.
• Evaluate proposed projects to ensure optimal technology selection, comprehensive scope inclusion, properly sized mechanical systems and equipment, an adequate budget estimate, and alignment with business objectives.
• Leads multi-disciplinary teams to analyze and solve complex mechanical problems and implement solutions.
• Utilizes and contributes to our knowledge management systems, driving the availability and implementation of best practices across the organization.
• Authors and disseminate engineering standards to implemented across the organization.

Core Competencies

• Engineering skills apply to optimize the financial benefits of various business alternatives.
• Actively engage stakeholders on complex business issues and drive collaboration to ensure the best solution.
• Identifies gaps and improvements to drive EHSSQ compliance globally.
• Identifies and drives best-in-class technology to resolve reliability issues.
• Leads deviation treatment to solve the most complex problems across multiple sites and implements sustainable solutions in collaboration with local teams.
• Applies knowledge of IPS operational governance, process standardization, and deviation treatment.
• Develops prioritized Best Operating Practices (BOP) and critical routines, provides training of their application, and supports the implementation and adherence tracking.
• Leads the documentation and sharing of success cases and lessons learned across the organization to multiply favorable impact of top KPIs and drive standardization.

What you will bring: 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field with equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience in Mechanical engineering and plant manufacturing required. Experience with multi-site, regional, or global experience preferred.

Who you are: 

• Use an elevated level of industry knowledge and expertise to deliver critical business objectives.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to collaborate within multi-disciplined groups to deliver results.
• Drives global collaboration to improve knowledge and services across the Ingredion network.
• Utilize finite resources across multiple regions to efficiently address technical requirements.
• Actively develops early-career process engineers through Mentorship and Training.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success.
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being
• Flexible Work Arrangements – We value flexibility to support you both professionally and personally.
• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally
• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel.

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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.

Relocation Available:

Pay Range:

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.