Global Project Engineer
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense · Saint Charles
This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption. Click here to learn more.
Job Description
Help Shape the Future of AFB International
At AFB International, we make pet food taste great. Our palatants help pets enjoy the food, treats, and supplements they need, and our people make that possible through innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
We are seeking an experienced Global Projects Engineer to join our team at AFB International to lead significant capital investments across AFB facilities, with an initial focus on major projects at our manufacturing site in Aurora, Missouri. It offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact by leading projects that improve safety, capacity, reliability, productivity, quality, and overall operational performance.
Capital projects typically range from $1 million to more than $5 million and span the full project lifecycle—from feasibility and design through procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and closeout.
What You’ll Do
You will lead multiple, complex projects while partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Finance, Supply Chain, Corporate Engineering, plant leadership, consultants, contractors, and suppliers. Your leadership will help ensure projects are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and with minimal disruption to production.
Lead Project Planning and Governance
- Develop project scopes, estimates, schedules, budgets, business cases, execution plans, and Capital Appropriation Requests.
- Establish project governance, risk registers, action tracking, change-control processes, reporting, and decision-making practices.
- Coordinate competing priorities, stakeholders, resources, and external partners across multiple projects.
- Provide clear project updates, identify risks and decisions needed, and maintain accurate project records.
Manage Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
- Develop design criteria, technical specifications, bid packages, and procurement documents.
- Review drawings, layouts, P&IDs, electrical documents, equipment specifications, and contractor submittals.
- Coordinate consultants, contractors, equipment suppliers, bidding activities, contract negotiations, construction, field issues, and project changes.
- Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve technical and construction-related challenges.
Lead Commissioning, Startup, and Closeout
- Direct commissioning, startup, training, performance verification, operational readiness, and project turnover.
- Partner with site teams to ensure new equipment and systems are safely integrated into operations.
- Complete punch lists, as-built documentation, manuals, warranties, spare-parts information, final cost reporting, and lessons learned.
- Ensure projects transition successfully from construction to reliable, sustainable operation.
Champion Safety, Quality, and Compliance
- Ensure projects comply with AFB standards, applicable codes, OSHA and EHS requirements, food safety expectations, permitting requirements, and site procedures.
- Identify risks early and coordinate effective mitigation plans with project stakeholders.
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, quality, and operational excellence throughout every phase of the project.
Provide Technical and Cross-Functional Leadership
- Use data, root-cause analysis, and engineering expertise to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Develop recommendations that balance safety, quality, productivity, reliability, timing, and cost.
- Communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Lead project teams and influence outcomes across functions without relying on direct authority.
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited university.
- At least five years of engineering and capital project experience in an industrial manufacturing or process environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading projects through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and closeout.
- Strong knowledge of project scope development, estimating, scheduling, budgeting, procurement, construction, change control, and project closeout.
- Experience managing multiple projects and priorities while maintaining accurate documentation and status reporting.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, layouts, P&IDs, specifications, equipment documentation, and contractor submittals.
- Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing capital projects valued at $1 million or more.
- Experience in food manufacturing, process manufacturing, or a similar regulated industrial environment.
- Working knowledge of industrial construction, equipment installation, process systems, manufacturing operations, and startup activities.
- Professional Engineer license, PMP certification, or advanced degree.
Leadership Responsibilities
This position provides functional leadership to project teams and directs the work of consultants, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and other project resources. The role may also mentor project engineers and site personnel. Direct reports are not required for this position.
Work Environment
This role works across office, manufacturing, construction, and active project environments. The position requires the ability to walk through manufacturing and construction areas, climb stairs or ladders, work around moving equipment, dust, noise, and temperature variations, and wear required personal protective equipment.
Travel between AFB facilities and to vendor or contractor locations is expected. Occasional off-hours support may be required during critical project activities, commissioning, or startup.
This position may be based at AFB International’s corporate office in St. Charles, Missouri, or at the Aurora, Missouri plant site.
Why Join AFB?
At AFB, you will have the opportunity to lead meaningful projects that directly impact our people, operations, customers, and the pets we serve around the world. You will work alongside talented professionals who value collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
If you are an accomplished project leader who enjoys turning complex ideas into successful operational results, we invite you to apply.
AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.
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