Principal Engineer - Process

Job Summary

Grande Fond du Lac is seeking our next Principal Engineer – Process! In this position you will serve as the technical authority and design leader for Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) across cheese, whey, utilities, and wastewater treatment projects. This role defines project scope, develops and reviews robust process designs, and leads stage-gate design reviews to ensure safe, compliant, and high-value solutions.

As a trusted expert, you will advance engineering standards, drive innovation that improves quality and reduces risk, and provide critical technical guidance across the organization. Experience in wastewater engineering and design is strongly preferred, given the role's impact on utilities and environmental systems.

This position also leads complex capital projects from concept through installation, start-up, and commissioning, partnering closely with cross-functional teams, suppliers, contractors, and regulators. You will mentor and develop engineering talent, lead cross-functional teams, and support operational excellence through process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

Ideal candidates bring deep process engineering expertise, particularly in wastewater systems, along with the leadership skills to influence strategy, standardize best practices, and deliver reliable, scalable manufacturing solutions enterprise-wide.

What you need to be considered for the role

• 4 Year / Bachelors Degree in related Engineering field required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years related engineering experience required.
• Must have experience working with food processing facility and design.
• Adept project management skills with demonstration of experience in a variety of complex projects.
• Knowledge of USDA, FDA, OSHA, EPA and environmental regulations, codes, and standards.
• Highly skilled in troubleshooting, diagnosing problems and recommending improvements.
• Strong planning and prioritization skills, innovation, multi-tasking, goal setting, analytical skills, adaptable, continuously looking to raise the bar for progress.
• Ability to understand, influence, drive, and negotiate with internal and external customers.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Advanced PC skills including Windows, Microsoft Office Suite and Engineering and design software.
• Advanced knowledge in mathematical concepts such as fractions, ratios, value analysis, thermodynamics, to resolve engineering designs and problems.
• Ability / willingness to travel to other Grande facilities around 50-70% of the time.

Preferred

• Professional Engineering license and/or project management certification strongly preferred.
• Experience in wastewater engineering and design is strongly preferred.