Principal Electrical Manufacturing Engineer I

About the role

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is seeking a results driven Manufacturing Engineer to join our Packaging Engineering team in Richmond, VA. As the Principal Manufacturing Engineer I, you will support Maintenance and Engineering operations across our high-impact packaging facility. You will ensure that operations, maintenance, safety, and cost objectives are consistently met in a multi-shift, 7-day operation within a highly regulated (FDA) environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute capital equipment and facility projects from concept development through design, installation, commissioning, qualification, and turnover.
• Develop electrical designs, specifications, scopes of work, cost estimates, schedules, and implementation plans that meet business, operational, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide senior-level electrical engineering support, design reviews, and technical guidance to engineers and project managers across the group.
• Review vendor and OEM electrical designs, drawings, calculations, equipment specifications, and submittals to verify technical quality, code compliance, maintainability, and alignment with site standards.
• Serve as the site subject-matter expert for electrical equipment safety and compliance with applicable electrical codes, standards, and company requirements.
• Provide technical leadership for facility electrical systems, including electrical distribution, power and controls infrastructure, grounding, hazardous-area requirements, and related utility systems.
• Provide engineering oversight and technical support for explosion suppression equipment and other asset-preservation systems that protect personnel, facilities, and manufacturing assets.
• Partner with Maintenance, Operations, Safety, Facilities, Procurement, and external engineering resources to resolve complex electrical issues, manage project risks, and deliver reliable, compliant solutions.
• Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, reliability improvements, and lifecycle planning for electrical equipment and facility systems.
• Establish and maintain electrical engineering standards, specifications, documentation, and technical practices for use across projects and the facility.
• Drive compliance with respect to fixed asset management.
• Work within an integrated work system environment to grow and support continuous improvement culture and processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record in multiple-discipline engineering project management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with packaging equipment, vision systems, product traceability and MES systems preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to safely perform the duties within a general office area and all areas of the manufacturing environment as well as have the ability to climb, crawl, kneel, and walk in manufacturing areas.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $119,600.00 – $173,450.00, based on experience, knowledge, and qualifications.

Schedule

37.5-hour workweek.

Benefits

• 15 days of paid time off to start, plus 13 paid holidays.
• Annual merit increases and performance bonus.
• 401(k) matching from day one; Deferred Profit Sharing with an annual company contribution equal to 13%–17% of base salary.
• Student loan repayment assistance, professional development stipends for conferences and certifications.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid parental and bonding leave.
• Wellness programs for whole well-being.
• Paid volunteer days.