Project Engineering Manager
Smithfield Foods · Smithfield, VA
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $115k–$150k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 24 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at Smithfield Foods (food & beverage) in Smithfield, VA.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- AutoCAD
- Base pay
- $115k–$150k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $98k–$150k. This one lists $115k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 13 live postings that list pay, out of 35 manufacturing engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 34 other live manufacturing postings in Virginia.
- Base pay
- About 12% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $86k–$150k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 46%
- New product launch 46%
- Lean 31%
- Root cause 26%
- Automation 23%
✓ = 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 Manufacturing team at Smithfield Foods
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. 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 Doug → (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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- 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: Smithfield Foods in Smithfield
5 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Smithfield Foods.
- Maintenance Mechanic · Reliability · Technician
- Plant Maintenance Supervisor - 2nd Shift (Relocation) · Reliability · Supervisor
- Senior Director, Engineering · Manufacturing · Director+
- Packaging Engineering Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
- Production Supervisor - 2nd Shift · Production · Supervisor
Full description from Smithfield FoodsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What you'll do
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.
- ◆Design Work: You'll develop engineering designs, material specs, and project cost estimates. Conducts feasibility studies and economic analysis to support designs. You'll ensure designs meet required standards and codes and validate field work and create as-built drawings. You'll also review engineering submissions for accuracy and completeness. Manage project execution by directing vendors and contractors. Coordinate project schedules with plant personnel, vendors, and contractors. Collaborate with management and engineering teams to implement plans.
- ◆Design Implementation: You'll partner with vendors and contractors to plan layouts and meet utility requirements. Review consultant work and recommend adjustments and maintain documentation (manuals, drawings, specs, etc.) and vendor contacts.
- ◆Reports and Proposals: You'll also conduct planning and reviews during pre-project phases. Define scope of work, prepare and evaluate proposals. Submit regular reports to management on project status.
- ◆Bid Review and Project Preparation: Manage contract administration and reviews bid packages. You'll also prepare project documents (budget analyses, plans, schedules, etc.) and monitor installations to ensure they meet specifications and stay within budget.
- ◆People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.
requirements
listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions .
- ✓Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
- ✓2+ years’ experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.
- ✓Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
- ✓Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.
- ✓Must possess Project Management skills; Contract Administration skills; National codes and standards interpretation skills.
- ✓Proficient in AutoCAD.
- ✓Proficient in Microsoft Office.
- ✓Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
- ✓Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations. (50% of the time).
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Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
The value you'll bring
Join our Engineering team and become a driving force in transforming production processes to maximize efficiency and minimize waste—directly impacting our bottom line and helping us stay at the cutting edge of the industry. You’ll analyze data, draft strategic implementation plans, and tackle challenges head-on to optimize operations, all while playing a key role in the manufacturing of our iconic brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and more. Your work will be essential in meeting the ever-evolving needs of our customers and consumers!
As a Project Engineering Manager, you’ll apply your expertise in science and mathematics to lead and execute large-scale, complex technical projects within the pork and packaged meat industry. With the opportunity to lead a team of talented engineers either directly and indirectly, you’ll oversee the design, development, and implementation of innovative solutions. Your experience will allow you to work independently on most tasks, stepping in for guidance only on the most intricate challenges. Using your deep knowledge, you’ll spot potential risks and trends early, proactively crafting effective solutions to keep projects on track and drive success across the board.
This is your chance to have a huge impact, drive innovation, and shape the future of one of the nation’s leading consumer packaged goods companies!
What we're seeking
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The
Other skills that make you stand out
- •Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
- •Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
- •Proficient in engineering economics.
- •Previous experience in the management of multi-million-dollar projects with large scopes, desirable.
- •Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry, preferred.
Physical demands & work environment
- •The majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
- •Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.
- •Specific vision abilities