The Director of Mechanical Engineering is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the design, development, and optimization of mechanical systems, process equipment, and infrastructure across all food and beverage manufacturing sites. This role leads multi-disciplinary teams to deliver engineering excellence in capital projects, plant utilities, packaging systems, piping networks, and hygienic processing equipment. The director drives innovation, standardization, and performance across operations while ensuring compliance with food safety, sustainability, and operational reliability goals.
Define and lead the mechanical engineering vision and roadmap for all production and utility systems across manufacturing plants.
Oversee capital projects related to mechanical infrastructure, process lines, packaging machinery, and utility upgrades.
Develop and implement engineering standards and technical specifications to ensure design consistency, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Manage and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, project managers, and technical specialists across multiple facilities.
Lead planning, budgeting, and execution of large-scale engineering initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
Coordinate with cross-functional stakeholders (Production, QA, Maintenance, EHS, and Corporate) to align engineering objectives with business priorities.
Direct the design, procurement, and optimization of sanitary process systems, including tanks, valves, pumps, and CIP/SIP systems.
Ensure high performance and hygienic integrity of packaging lines, fillers, conveyors, and related mechanical systems.
Lead utility system optimization (steam, compressed air, chilled water, HVAC) for efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Ensure all mechanical designs meet FDA, USDA, FSMA, 3-A Sanitary, ASME, and other relevant standards.
Champion safety engineering principles and risk mitigation in mechanical designs and installations.
Support energy conservation, carbon reduction, and water optimization through advanced mechanical solutions.
Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve mechanical performance, throughput, and maintainability.
Establish technical partnerships with equipment suppliers, fabricators, and automation vendors.
Standardize component selection and equipment specifications to simplify maintenance and spare parts strategies.
Strategic mechanical engineering leadership for food-grade systems
Capital project oversight and execution
Design and optimization of hygienic mechanical equipment
Utility system performance and energy efficiency
Cross-functional collaboration and team development
Regulatory compliance and sustainability integration
Technical standardization and innovation
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering required
Master’s degree or MBA preferred
PE License, PMP, or Six Sigma Certification is a plus
Knowledge of 3-A Sanitary Standards, ASME codes, and food safety requirements
12+ years of mechanical engineering experience in food & beverage, CPG, or pharmaceutical manufacturing
5+ years in an engineering leadership or director-level role
Proven track record managing complex capital projects, process line upgrades, and utility system integration
Expertise in sanitary design, mechanical system modeling, and plant utility integration
Familiarity with CAD/CAE tools, P&IDs, mechanical layouts, and engineering documentation systems
Strong understanding of process safety, GMP, and HACCP compliance
Executive-level leadership and communication abilities
Strategic thinker with hands-on problem-solving skills
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence enterprise-wide change