Project Engineer

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand worldwide. This role is with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a division focused on science-led pet nutrition and the US #1 Veterinarian-recommended pet food brand.

About the role

As a Plant Project Engineer at Hill's Pet Nutrition, you will lead facility capital projects from initial concept through successful implementation. Reporting to the Manager of Engineering, you will oversee project scope, budget, timeline, and technical risk assessments to optimize plant asset utilization. This role partners cross-functionally across manufacturing operations to deliver innovative engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute end-to-end engineering capital projects on time and within budget, ensuring compliance with technical designs, safety guidelines, and company objectives.
• Develop complete project documentation, including scope justification, cost estimates, ROI savings analysis, vendor selections, and project timelines.
• Provide functional and technical troubleshooting support to plant floor operations and maintenance teams to minimize unplanned downtime and optimize production equipment.
• Guide external contractors, equipment suppliers, and cross-functional teams during equipment installation, testing, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Verification (CQV) phases.
• Drive continuous operational excellence using Factory Performance & Reliability (FP&R) tools, statistical process controls, and corporate EOHS/Quality standards to eliminate process waste.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, focused on project management from concept to completion.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing plant environment, including navigating equipment at heights, supporting 24/7 continuous operations, and working irregular shifts or being on-call as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior engineering experience in food processing, pet food manufacturing, or CPG operations.
• Hands-on technical experience with packaging equipment automation controls, robotics, or vision systems.
• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Technical proficiency in extrusion equipment, packaging technology, bulk material handling, and regulatory agency standards (FDA, USDA, AIB).
• Experience driving innovation, leading operational change, and establishing cross-organizational collaboration.

Pay

Salary Range: $86,000.00 - $121,000.00 USD. Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Basic life insurance and paid parental leave.
• Disability coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions (subject to eligibility requirements).
• Minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days and 13 paid holidays (prorated based on hire date).
• Paid sick leave adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws.

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without requiring company sponsorship.