Mechanical Engineer - Technical Team
Job Purpose
The Utilities & Mechanical Engineer provides specialized technical oversight and leads projects through design, construction, and operation for all plant utilities systems at fairlife's facilities. This role ensures plants are not stopped due to insufficient utility capacity, reliability, or incorrect operation, and implements a utilities strategy to achieve company efficiency and sustainability goals.
Responsibilities
Develop predictive demand, situation analysis tools, and load management tools for utility systems based on forecasted plans for existing and new plants, ensuring sufficient capacity and cost-effective operation.
Define standards to which all plant utilities will be designed, automated, constructed, and operated, aligning with locational quality and supply profiles negotiated with utilities suppliers, while meeting all relevant Federal, State, and Corporate laws, rules, and regulations and sustainability goals.
Document and clearly communicate the basis of design of all installed equipment to plants' key stakeholders.
Provide technical support for the procurement of utilities from utility providers. Make key decisions in utilities equipment vendor selection and contract negotiation and contribute to budgeting and justification of capital projects.
Lead construction phase and collaborate with plant & project engineering teams to ensure all project work gets performed on time and within budget, including leading and supporting commissioning and validation activities, review and execution of Factory Acceptance Test and Site Acceptance Test (FAT/SAT) protocols, developing and delivering training materials.
Technical oversight of new line/plant mechanical & utility design (mass/media balance, utilities process flow diagram, functional specifications, PID approval, HAZOP, FAT, DQ, OQ, PQ, training, ramp up etc.), and maintain up-to-date documentation.
Solve complex processing, mechanical, and utility problems to improve reliability, reduce downtime, improve load management, reduce cost of ownership, etc.
Skills/Qualifications Required
Bachelor's degree in engineering: mechanical or chemical engineering with experience in dairy industry, or process engineering with experience in wider food industry. Advanced degrees or other professional certifications preferred but not required.
5+ years of progressive experience in utilities design, operations, and construction within milk, brewing/beverage, and chemical processing. Direct experience with design, construction, commissioning, and troubleshooting of utilities is required.
Work experience with an engineering design and construction firm as a P. Eng is highly preferred.
Proven track record of improving manufacturing processes through re-design and automation, and the introduction of new technologies.
Data analysis and Process modeling in Microsoft Excel is required. Process and utility modeling using software's such as Aspen, SuperPro or others will be a value addition.
Demonstrated excellence in communication and presentation.
Ability to handle ambiguity and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial work environment; food safety requirements: Notify management of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups
fairlife's nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are — supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.
About the Role
fairlife operates two large low acid aseptic bottling facilities in Coopersville, MI and Goodyear, AZ as well as a smaller filtrated products manufacturing site in Dexter, NM. A third large plant is currently being commissioned in Webster, NY. The technical team also supports the fairlife Canada plant in Peterborough, ON.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering: mechanical or chemical engineering with experience in dairy industry, or process engineering with experience in wider food industry. Advanced degrees or other professional certifications preferred but not required.
5+ years of progressive experience in utilities design, operations, and construction within milk, brewing/beverage, and chemical processing. Direct experience with design, construction, commissioning, and troubleshooting of utilities is required.
Work experience with an engineering design and construction firm as a P. Eng is highly preferred.
Proven track record of improving manufacturing processes through re-design and automation, and the introduction of new technologies.
Data analysis and Process modeling in Microsoft Excel is required. Process and utility modeling using software's such as Aspen, SuperPro or others will be a value addition.
Demonstrated excellence in communication and presentation.
Ability to handle ambiguity and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial work environment; food safety requirements: Notify management of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.