Would you like to lead complex engineering projects and help shape the technical direction of a manufacturing organisation?
As Project Principal Engineer, you will be a key technical authority responsible for leading and supporting complex engineering initiatives across Operations & Engineering and Innovation & R&D. You will apply your extensive engineering experience to solve critical operational challenges and deliver measurable improvements in reliability, efficiency, quality and operational performance.
Working with a high degree of autonomy, you will be a trusted technical partner to stakeholders across the organisation. You will also contribute to the development of engineering standards, methodologies and best practices, with a strong focus on safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the resolution of complex technical issues relating to equipment and processes through advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis and the implementation of sustainable solutions.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance, and influence technical decision-making across functions.
- Define, lead and oversee large-scale or business-critical engineering projects.
- Drive technical planning, including project scoping, risk assessment, technical requirements and resource planning.
- Identify technical advancement opportunities that support long-term operational and business objectives, including the expansion of production capacity.
- Analyse operational, process and reliability data and translate findings into recommendations and long-term improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with Operations & Engineering, Supply Chain, EHS & Quality, Manufacturing and Innovation & R&D.
- Develop and ensure compliance with engineering standards, technical documentation and relevant safety, quality and regulatory requirements.
- You hold a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- You typically have 8–10+ years of experience within manufacturing, production, operations or process industries.
- You have extensive experience leading large-scale, complex or business-critical engineering projects.
- You have a proven track record of improving operational performance, equipment reliability, production efficiency and product quality.
- You possess deep technical expertise in manufacturing and operational engineering, together with a broad understanding of engineering methodologies, systems and technologies.
- You have strong capabilities within project leadership, risk assessment, problem-solving and strategic decision support.
- You communicate complex technical topics clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- You have a strong understanding of safety, quality, regulatory and compliance requirements.
- You are professionally proficient in English.
About you
You lead through expertise, credibility and influence. You take a strategic and forward-thinking approach, work independently and maintain perspective in complex or ambiguous situations. At the same time, you are a strong relationship builder who collaborates effectively across disciplines and organisational levels.
What we offer
You will take on a key technical role with significant influence on complex projects, engineering standards and the long-term development of our manufacturing operations. The position offers the opportunity to work independently on business-critical challenges and deliver results in close collaboration with specialists and decision-makers across the organisation.
Interested?
If you are motivated by solving complex technical challenges and shaping the direction of engineering in a manufacturing organisation, we look forward to receiving your application.
Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Typically 8–10+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, operations, or process industries.
- Extensive experience leading large-scale, complex, or business-critical engineering projects.
- Proven track record improving operational performance, equipment reliability, production efficiency, and product quality.
- Deep technical expertise in manufacturing and operational engineering.
- Broad understanding of engineering methodologies, systems, and technologies.
- Strong capabilities in project leadership, risk assessment, problem-solving, and strategic decision support.
- Ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of safety, quality, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
- Professional proficiency in English.
What We Do
Tate & Lyle's purpose, Transforming Lives Through the Science of Food, inspires everything we do. Whether it’s by making food and drink healthier and tastier; continuously improving how we work; promoting a safe working environment; or making a difference to our local communities, we believe we can successfully grow our business and have a positive impact on society. What is it we do? Simply put, we make healthy food tastier and tasty food healthier. Our work is driven by consumer health needs and trends, governments desire to build and support healthy communities, and the need for affordable food and nutrition in many parts of the world. We deliver ingredients and solutions to meet all these needs. Our speciality sweeteners and fibres help reduce sugar and calories. Our fibres fortify food and improve digestive health. Our texturants and stabilising systems help extend shelf-life and make food manufacturing easier. Across the globe, we are transforming lives through the science of food. And we need talented and skilled people to help us on this journey
