Sr. Project Engineer

Mars Petcare

Chicago, IL

Shift: Full time

Job Description: About the Locations: Rome, GA or Grand Rapids, MI Function: Engineering Segment / Division: Mars Snacking — Accelerator Division Role Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what’s next for Snacking. It’s home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ,

NATURE’S BAKERY

, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and

RICE KRISPIE TREATS

. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations. We’re looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We’re proudly part of Mars, while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you’ve found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world! As a Sr. Project Engineer , you will be responsible for the design and installation of projects, bringing entrepreneurial drive and technical ownership to our manufacturing network. Your role will be a senior active member of the Engineering community, site technical team, the local engineering team, and assigned project team(s). Additionally, you will deploy your engineering know-how to successfully execute and deliver projects that provide a competitive advantage, supporting 7 plants across our network with a primary multi-year pipeline centered at our Rome, Georgia facility alongside Grand Rapids, Michigan. Working closely with plant leadership, corporate engineering, and external partners, you will lead high-impact facility and equipment projects while driving true ownership—anticipating challenges, formulating contingency plans, and delivering safe, competitive results. What are we looking for? Education: Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering discipline. Experience: 5–10 years of experience in a comparable technical engineering position within food, beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or pharmaceutical manufacturing. Engineering Fundamentals: Strong knowledge of core engineering disciplines, including Process, Packaging, Electrical, Controls, and Construction/Civil engineering. Functional Expertise: In-depth technical understanding in a designated area of expertise (e.g., packaging automation, sanitary process systems, electrical infrastructure, or utilities). Capital Delivery Multi-Site Agility: Proven track record leading capital projects from front-end scoping through installation and commissioning across manufacturing plant environments. Proactive Ownership: Demonstrated ability to lead projects independently—anticipating roadblocks, planning ahead, building contingency plans, and driving solutions rather than passively tracking and reporting status. Shutdown Downtime Planning: Experience coordinating equipment installations, contractor work, and cutovers during scheduled production downtime and weekend installation windows. Maintenance Reliability Background ( Nice-to-Have ): Background in plant maintenance management, reliability engineering, or planning for manufacturing facilities. Food Packaging Systems ( Nice-to-Have ): Direct experience with baking/cold-form processes, bulk syrup/liquid handling systems, or high-speed packaging machinery. What will be your key responsibilities? Lead the design, installation, and commissioning of capital projects across 7 regional manufacturing sites, focusing initially on a significant multi-year project pipeline in Rome, GA. Manage diverse project scopes, including facility infrastructure (structural, sanitary floor drainage, HVAC overhauls, roofing, electrical distribution) and equipment installations (packaging systems, syrup systems, innovation projects). Deliver safe, secure, and environmentally responsible results that comply with all Mars safety, security, and environmental policies. Develop detailed front-end scopes of work and engineering specifications in close alignment with site leadership and corporate engineering teams. Partner with and manage external engineering firms, equipment vendors, and installation contractors on site. Drive proactive project management and risk mitigation—identifying critical-path risks early and establishing forward-looking contingency plans. Collaborate cross-functionally with plant operations, maintenance, and technical teams to coordinate installations around operating schedules and weekend downtime. Foster a winning team environment built on trust, high performance, and continuous technical development. What can you expect from Mars? Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. Join a pu