Senior Plant Engineer/Project Manager
J.M. Huber · Rifle, CO
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $107k–$139k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Posted
- 11 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at J.M. Huber (chemicals) in Rifle, CO.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, Welding, AutoCAD, EHS / safety
- Base pay
- $107k–$139k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Colorado: typical posted base $124k–$175k. This one lists $107k–$139k.
Median of the low and high ends of 15 live postings that list pay, out of 19 production engineer openings in Colorado, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Colorado plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 18 other live production postings in Colorado.
- Base pay
- About 11% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 6+)
Typical $112k–$164k, from 11 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 53%
- New product launch 37%
- ✓ EHS / safety 32%
- ✓ Lean 32%
- ✓ Root cause 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Welding, 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.M. Huber
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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.M. Huber in Rifle
2 other open roles at this site.
- Maintenance Mechanic I · Reliability · Technician
- Process Engineer · Process
Full description from J.M. HuberAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
The Senior Plant Engineer / Project Manager is responsible for leading engineering projects and supporting plant reliability initiatives across the Natural Soda manufacturing operation. This role provides technical expertise related to mechanical systems, rotating equipment, piping systems, process improvements, and capital projects while coordinating project timelines, budgets, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
The Plant Engineer / Project Manager partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Environmental, Process Improvement, and Leadership teams to ensure projects are executed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. This position plays a key role in improving plant reliability, operational efficiency, equipment performance, and long-term asset management within a remote industrial manufacturing environment.
Remote work with 25-40% travel is available to this position. Preference is for employees in CO, surrounding states, or open to relocation.
#HEMIND
Responsibilities
- ◆Lead and manage capital and maintenance-related engineering projects from concept through completion.
- ◆Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, equipment specifications, and technical documentation.
- ◆Coordinate internal resources, contractors, vendors, and consultants to ensure successful project execution.
- ◆Provide mechanical engineering support for plant equipment including pumps, conveyors, compressors, piping systems, tanks, fans, motors, rotating equipment and steam systems.
- ◆Provide structural engineering support for necessary building modifications required for equipment.
- ◆Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis for equipment failures and operational issues.
- ◆Assist with reliability improvement initiatives, preventative maintenance optimization, and asset management programs.
- ◆Develop and review engineering drawings, P&IDs, equipment layouts, and technical specifications.
- ◆Manage contractor activities and ensure compliance with all plant safety
requirements
and permitting processes.
- ✓Monitor project costs, track expenditures, and provide regular status updates to leadership.
- ✓Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance teams to identify process improvement opportunities and improve equipment reliability.
- ✓Ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA, environmental, and company safety standards.
- ✓Support continuous improvement initiatives including Lean manufacturing and operational efficiency projects.
- ✓Participate in shutdown planning, major maintenance activities, and equipment installations.
- ✓Assist with procurement activities including bid reviews, vendor evaluations, and equipment selection.
- ✓Maintain accurate engineering records, project files, and technical documentation.
- ✓Provide technical mentorship and guidance to operations and maintenance personnel as needed.
- ✓Support emergency response efforts and provide after-hours technical support when necessary.
- ✓Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory
Responsibilities
- ◆May supervise contractors, consultants, and temporary project personnel.
- ◆Coordinate and oversee contractor safety, work quality, and project execution.
- ◆Provide project leadership and technical direction for cross-functional project teams.
- ◆Participate in vendor selection, contractor evaluations, and project performance reviews.
Education/Training
- ✓Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering required.
- ✓Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
- ✓Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
- ✓Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Knowledge/Skills/Experience
- ✓5–10 years of engineering and project management experience in industrial manufacturing, mining, chemical processing, or heavy industrial environments preferred.
- ✓Strong understanding of rotating equipment, power transmission components, material handling components such as conveying methods, equipment and process equipment.
- ✓Strong application knowledge of steam systems and familiarity with required codes – National Board Inspection Code (NBIC), Boiler Pressure Vessel Code (ASME BPV Div 1), Process Piping Code (B31.3)
- ✓Knowledge & familiarity with steel construction and applicable codes – Structural Welding Code (AWS D1.1) and IBC building code.
- ✓Expertise in selecting fasteners, bolted joint applications, valve selection & maintenance.
- ✓Knowledge of machine shop applications such as milling, lathe operations, and fabrication.
- ✓Experience managing capital projects, contractor oversight, and project budgeting.
- ✓Familiarity with preventative maintenance, reliability engineering, and asset management.
- ✓Knowledge of OSHA regulations, industrial safety standards, and environmental compliance requirements.
- ✓Experience with AutoCAD, engineering drawing review, and technical documentation.
- ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CMMS systems, and project management software.
- ✓Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
- ✓Experience performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- ✓Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational needs.
- ✓Skilled in using discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
- ✓Experience working in remote industrial or mining environments prefe
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Portfolio Business : Huber Engineered Materials
J.M. Huber Corporation is one of the largest privately held, family-owned companies in the United States. Established in 1883, we are a diversified, global supplier of specialty and commodity chemicals, hydrocolloid solutions, engineered wood products and natural resources to customers spanning a wide variety of industries. With approximately $3 billion in sales and 4,000 employees worldwide, we have a material presence in more than 20 countries.
