Associate Engineer

Job Summary

The Associate Engineer supports the Engineering Project Manager and plant team with engineering activities, equipment improvements, maintenance reliability initiatives, and capital projects. This role provides hands-on technical support for equipment, utilities, facilities, and process improvements while learning and applying project management practices in a food manufacturing environment. The Associate Engineer works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Sanitation, Safety, and external vendors to help maintain safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. This position is expected to support the plant’s safety, quality, productivity, food safety, and cost objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Engineering and Plant Support

• Support day-to-day engineering activities for the Everett plant under the direction of the Engineering Project Manager.

• Assist with troubleshooting equipment, process, utility, and facility issues and help identify practical corrective actions.

• Collect and organize equipment, process, and maintenance data to support engineering decisions.

• Prepare and update engineering documents, equipment records, standard work, layouts, and technical reports.

• Follow plant procedures and support compliance with applicable USDA, FDA, EPA, OSHA, food safety, and environmental requirements.

Capital Projects and Improvements

• Support the Engineering Project Manager with the planning and execution of capital projects, equipment installations, facility improvements, and process upgrades.

• Assist with equipment specifications, vendor communications, project schedules, installation plans, and project documentation.

• Help coordinate site preparation, contractor activities, equipment deliveries, and installation work.

• Track assigned project tasks, action items, costs, and schedule updates, and communicate status or concerns to the Engineering Project Manager.

• Participate in equipment testing, commissioning, qualification, and start-up activities.

• Help prepare and maintain project closeout documents, including manuals, drawings, training records, and spare parts lists.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Sanitation, Safety, and Supply Chain to understand needs and support plant priorities.

• Communicate clearly with team members, contractors, and vendors regarding assigned work and project requirements.

• Participate in improvement teams, production meetings, safety activities, and project reviews as assigned.

• Build effective working relationships and demonstrate Kettle Cuisine’s values in daily interactions.

Continuous Improvement and Development

• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, safety, quality, labor efficiency, and waste reduction.

• Use basic problem-solving and continuous improvement tools to evaluate issues and support improvements.

• Develop knowledge of plant equipment, utilities, maintenance systems, food manufacturing processes, and project execution.

• Complete assigned training and continue developing technical, communication, and project management skills.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Familiarity with CAD, Project management.

• Basic knowledge of engineering principles and their application in a manufacturing environment.

• Ability to understand equipment specifications, process information, layouts, drawings, manuals, and other technical documents.

• Basic understanding of project coordination, task tracking, scheduling, and documentation.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments and follow through on commitments.

• Ability to work safely and effectively in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

• Ability to occasionally work outside normal business hours to support equipment installations, project start-ups, or critical engineering activities.

Experience, Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.

• Minimum 2 years of engineering, manufacturing, project coordination, or related experience preferred.

• Internship, co-op, academic project, or hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment is helpful.

• Experience working with engineering drawings, equipment documentation, project schedules, or technical data is a plus.

• No professional certification is required for this position.

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT), OSHA, Lean Six Sigma, HACCP, or other relevant certifications are preferred but not required.