Sr Engineer Manufacturing
The Hershey Company · Stuarts Draft, VA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $103k–$129k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 12 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at The Hershey Company (food & beverage) in Stuarts Draft, VA.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Base pay
- $103k–$129k
- 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
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $85k–$135k. This one lists $103k–$129k.
Median of the low and high ends of 15 live postings that list pay, out of 47 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 46 other live manufacturing postings in Virginia.
- Base pay
- About 8% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$135k, from 12 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 47%
- New product launch 30%
- Lean 28%
- Automation 26%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, 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 The Hershey Company
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?
- 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 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: The Hershey Company in Stuarts Draft
1 other open role at this site.
- Production Supervisor - 2nd and 3rd Shift · Production · Supervisor
Full description from The Hershey CompanyAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Requirements
Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology required. Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering preferred. PE or PMP certification is a plus, but not required.
Experience: Minimum 3 years of relevant manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or engineering project management experience required.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Location: Stuarts Draft, VA
Why Hershey
At The Hershey Company, our culture is rooted in purpose and inspired by Milton Hershey’s enduring vision that business should create opportunity for others. Through our commitment to corporate philanthropy, we create positive impact by supporting communities, helping children thrive, and operating as a business for good. This includes our deep and long standing partnership with Milton Hershey School, where we invest in education, workforce readiness, and hands on engagement to help students succeed beyond the classroom. Supported by strategic grantmaking, product donations, cross brand collaboration, and strong employee volunteerism, Hershey offers a place to work where making a difference—locally and globally—is part of how we do business every day.
How will you fit in the big picture?
The Sr Engineer Manufacturing strengthens the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of processing and facility systems at the Stuarts Draft plant. This role leads moderately complex engineering and capital project work from concept through start-up, partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, vendors, and contractors to deliver safe, compliant, and sustainable manufacturing solutions. The position combines hands-on problem solving with disciplined project management and offers the opportunity to make a visible impact on plant performance in the Sweetest Place on Earth.
What will you do?
Lead scoped manufacturing engineering and capital projects, including feasibility assessments, cost estimates, system design, equipment selection , bid specifications, installation, commissioning, start-up, and training.
Provide technical oversight for plant processing and facility systems, working with Maintenance to strengthen asset reliability plans and with Operations to keep Process Operating Guides accurate and current.
Troubleshoot and optimize existing systems using data, root cause analysis, and sound engineering judgment; develop practical recommendations that improve safety, quality, reliability, throughput, or cost.
Maintain critical process documentation, including process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), specifications, validation records, and project closeout documentation.
Coordinate testing, validation, and integration activities across engineering, operations, business partners, OEMs, and contractors. Identify dependencies and risks, escalate concerns, and drive corrective actions to closure.
Apply engineering standards, GMP requirements, construction practices, and project governance consistently. Contribute improvements to engineering tools, templates, and ways of working.
Share technical knowledge through clear communication, training, and mentoring for plant partners and project team members.
Knowledge and Skills
Experience with food, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated manufacturing process systems, including GMP expectations and applicable engineering standards and codes.
Working knowledge of process design and unit operations such as batching, heat exchange, mass balances, ingredient and product transfer, conveying, clean-in-place (CIP), temperature and pressure control, and plant utilities.
Demonstrated project planning, project management, risk management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to develop technical alternatives and recommendations, build cross-functional alignment, and manage multiple priorities with limited supervision.
Controls and packaging equipment experience preferred.
Benefits and Perks
At Hershey, we offer competitive pay and a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, and life outside of work.
Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness programs that support your physical and mental health begin on Day 1.
Financial Security: Competitive pay, annual incentive opportunities, and a 401(k) with company match
Time Off & Flexibility: Paid time off, company holidays, and flexible ways of working where applicable
Growth & Development: Career development programs, learning opportunities, and internal mobility
Benefits may vary based on role, location, and eligibility.