Sr. Project Engineer - Process

Posted 3 Days Ago
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Chicago, IL, USA
In-Office
108K-149K Annually
Senior level
Food
The Role
Leads process engineering and capital projects across food manufacturing, from concept through completion. Oversees budgets, scope, contractors, timelines, technology selection, equipment specifications, plant layouts, automation opportunities, and compliance with safety and food-quality standards. Partners with manufacturing, innovation, procurement, finance, and engineering teams while guiding site teams and mentoring technical staff. Travel may reach 50% depending on project needs.
Summary Generated by Built In

Job Description:

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what’s next for Snacking. It’s home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE’S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations.


We’re looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We’re proudly part of Mars, while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you’ve found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!


Are you ready to pioneer the future of snacking? The Sr. Project Engineer – Process will take the leadership for managing and supporting all Accelerator process engineering projects across Mars Snacking. In this pivotal role, you will serve as the lead technology support for high-impact capital projects from ideation through closure, driving manufacturing and technological capability within the fast-evolving Accelerator division. While your core leadership will focus on food manufacturing and processing technologies, you will also play a key role across infrastructure, utilities, general manufacturing, and packaging systems to meet dynamic business growth.


We are seeking a forward-thinking, agile engineering leader who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced industrial environment. You will partner cross-functionally across Technical Operations, Plant Leadership, Brand Innovation, Procurement, and Finance to deliver capital projects with executional excellence at the most economic cost and highest quality. If you are passionate about innovative engineering, cross-functional collaboration, and leading transformative capital initiatives that shape iconic brands, this is the opportunity for you.


What will be your key responsibilities?

  • Capital Project Leadership & Delivery: Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of capital projects ranging from $2M to $100M+, delivering on time, within budget, and meeting all functional targets, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
  • Process Technology & Capability: Serve as the primary technical authority and point of contact for processing technology within the Accelerator division, identifying automation and technology opportunities that optimize line efficiencies and drive sustained technical advantage.
  • Strategic Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a strong business and technical partner to Accelerator Business Units, Brand Innovation, Manufacturing, Technical Operations, and Procurement to align scope, justify investments, evaluate risk, and deliver operational priorities.
  • Financial & Scope Management: Develop, justify, and manage capital budgets, cash flow projections, change-of-scope approvals, feasibility studies, and productivity cost-savings initiatives in close partnership with Finance and PMO.
  • Standards & Technical Synergy: Support the development of standards for processing and packaging systems, collaborating with R&D, global technical platforms, and other Mars segments to leverage operational synergies.
  • Site Engineering & Technical Guidance: Guide and support site engineering teams on design concepts, equipment specifications, vendor selection, construction management, and manufacturing layout optimization.
  • Safety, Quality & Compliance: Collaborate closely with Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) and Quality & Food Safety (Q&FS) teams to ensure all designs and operating procedures strictly comply with Mars Inc. safety and food safety standards.
  • Team Upskilling & Operational Community: Foster an engaged, high-performing operational network across engineering, supply, and procurement while actively mentoring and upskilling team members in emerging technologies and project execution best practices.

What are we looking for?

Essential Requirements:

  • Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering preferred).
  • Experience: Minimum of 7 years of engineering, production, or technical leadership experience within consumer products manufacturing (CPG), with deep expertise in food processing and manufacturing systems.
  • Capital Execution: Proven track record of end-to-end capital project management, with demonstrated success managing multiple work streams, budgets, contractors, and target timelines.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Engineering Breadth: Solid foundational knowledge of broader industrial engineering disciplines, including packaging, civil/structural, electrical, utilities, and construction management.
  • Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills in English, with the ability to influence cross-functional partners across plant operations, finance, procurement, and commercial teams.
  • Mobility & Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% depending on project phase and workload maturity.

Preferred / "Nice-to-Have":

  • Advanced degree in an engineering discipline or related technical field.
  • Direct leadership of large-scale capital projects exceeding $5M+.
  • Deep background in sourcing/procurement negotiations, supplier relationship management, and advanced automation platforms.

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.
  • Best-in-class 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.
    #Marsjobs

#LI-LD1

#LI-Onsite

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 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00

Skills Required

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering
  • At least 7 years of engineering, production, or technical leadership experience in consumer products manufacturing
  • Deep expertise in food processing and manufacturing systems
  • Experience managing end-to-end capital projects, including multiple workstreams, budgets, contractors, and timelines
  • Foundational knowledge of packaging, civil/structural, electrical, utilities, and construction management disciplines
  • Exceptional interpersonal and English communication skills
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%
  • Advanced degree in engineering or a related technical field
  • Experience leading large-scale capital projects exceeding $5 million
  • Background in sourcing and procurement negotiations, supplier relationship management, and advanced automation platforms

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

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The Company
HQ: McLean, VA
41,866 Employees
Year Founded: 1911

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.

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