Job Description:
Principal Project Engineer
This Principal Project Engineer will be a Project Manager responsible for all aspects of planning and executing projects/programs from ideation to project closure. The person in this role will potentially lead projects in process areas, buildings and infrastructure, general manufacturing processes, and packaging systems depending on business needs. The role owns overall leadership of major capital projects through the Mars Snacking Engineering Execution Standard for executional excellence in project delivery. These roles will either be based out of Elizabethtown, PA, Hackettstown, NJ, Waco, TX, or require significant travel to all of our other major sites across North America.
What are we looking for?
Bachelor’s of Science in engineering; an advanced degree in engineering, MBA or PMP certification considered a plus.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in an comparable technical position - food, beverage, pharmaceutical or related industry preferable.
In-Depth understanding of project management principals and general knowledge of engineering disciplines: Building, Infrastructure, Civil, Utilities, Process, Packaging, Electrical, Construction or Computer Service.
In-depth understanding of functional engineering area of expertise.
Action Oriented, Interpersonal Savvy, Communication Skills, Planning, Self-Development, Dealing with Ambiguity, Creativity, Innovation Management.
Developing and executing projects.
Managing direct reports or project teams.
20-60% travel requirement.
What will your key responsibilities be?
Build and lead high-performing teams while fostering a safe, trusting, and results-driven environment.
Provide engineering leadership and direction to plan, scope, and execute projects in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
Apply standardized project management processes to manage scope, budget, schedule, risks, and stakeholder engagement.
Drive technical excellence, innovation, and sound engineering decisions to ensure competitive, feasible, and efficient project outcomes.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and engineering standards while promoting knowledge sharing and consistent ways of working.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.
The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 134,400.00 - USD 184,800.00Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering
- Advanced engineering degree, MBA, or PMP certification
- Minimum of 10 years in a comparable technical position (food, beverage, pharmaceutical or related industry preferred)
- In-depth understanding of project management principles and standardized project execution processes
- General knowledge of engineering disciplines: Building, Infrastructure, Civil, Utilities, Process, Packaging, Electrical, Construction, or Computer Service
- In-depth understanding of a functional engineering area of expertise
- Experience developing and executing capital projects
- Experience managing direct reports or project teams
- Strong interpersonal, communication, planning, and leadership skills; ability to drive innovation and handle ambiguity
- Willingness/ability to travel 20-60%
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
-
Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
