Plant Engineer
J&J Snack Foods · Vernon, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Production
- Experience asked
- 50+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level production role at J&J Snack Foods (food & beverage) in Vernon, CA. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
- They ask for
- 50+ years
- Tools it names
- AutoCAD, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $125k–$177k.
Median of the low and high ends of 45 live postings that list pay, out of 121 production engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 120 other live production postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (50+ vs 5+)
Typical $120k–$174k, from 36 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- New product launch 38%
- Lean 31%
- Root cause 27%
- Automation 26%
- Team leadership 22%
- Python 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for AutoCAD, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at J&J Snack Foods
We found 5 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 3 leaders, plus 2 likely hiring managers. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to William → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: J&J Snack Foods in Vernon
2 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in production roles at J&J Snack Foods.
- Plant Manager · Production · Manager
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
Full description from J&J Snack FoodsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position summary
To manage the plant-wide engineering needs of a growing food manufacturing facility. Vernon & Colton facilities. May help other plants as needed.
Essential functions
- ◆Responsible for acting as the owner’s representative in construction, modifications, subcontractor agreements, general improvements, etc , of large capital projects at the company facilities.
- ◆Work closely with city and county utility, licensing, and planning departments during construction phase. Investigate and implement licensing agreements for wastewater treatment, state permits, etc. and work closely with external environmental regulatory agencies to ensure compliance standards are met.
- ◆Responsible for design of facility, ordering all equipment, and overseeing the installation and completion of projects on time and within budget.
- ◆Review current facility equipment needs and make recommendations to management concerning upgrades/capital improvements.
- ◆Enforces all company rules in a fair and consistent manner.
- ◆Report any food safety or quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
- ◆Follows J&J Snack Food’s Food Safety Plan (FSP), the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program, the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs ) and the Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).
- ◆Follows all OSHA safety rules and all food safety laws and regulations.
- ◆Other duties as assigned.
requirements
listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required .
- ✓Excellent organization and time management skills.
- ✓Must be a self-starter and be able to accomplish a versatile and evolving workload.
- ✓Excellent in all forms of communication.
- ✓Innovative, problem solver, flexible, and able to juggle multiple priorities.
- ✓Self-motivated, with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and adapt well to change.
Required Education
BA/BS Engineering and 5years related experience or 10 years related experience in bakery plant engineering position.
Required Experience
- ✓Strong engineering skills and mechanical aptitude.
- ✓Excellent planning/organizational skills.
- ✓Able to read and draw electrical schematics (line)
- ✓Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and make programming changes to AB PLC500, PLC5, PanelView, PanelView+
- ✓Contract negotiation skills.
- ✓Troubleshoot equipment & machinery.
- ✓Ability to work effectively with regulatory agencies.
- ✓Excellent management skills.
- ✓Effective communication skills.
- ✓Familiar with AutoCAD, Machine Design, Parts Drafting
- ✓Ability to work with deadlines/schedules. Self starter
US Salary Pay Range
$100,000 — $110,000 USD
responsibilities
that are required of the team member. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
As a leader and innovator in the snack food industry for over 50 years, J&J Snack Foods provides branded snack foods to foodservice and retail supermarket outlets across the U.S. Its products include such icons as SUPERPRETZEL, ICEE, and Dippin’ Dots along with other key brands like LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, The Funnel Cake Factory Funnel Cakes, and Hola Churros. J&J also has a strong presence in bakery providing cakes, cookies, and pies to some of the largest grocery and convenience retailers in industry. Our company continues to deliver record sales led by a talented team and a commitment to “Fun Served Here”.
Competencies
To perform this job successfully, Plant Engineer must be self-motivated, able to solve problems , detail-oriented, and able to stay on task. The