Principal Engineer – Packaging Equipment

Conagra Brands

Principal Engineer providing technical leadership in packaging equipment design and strategies for food manufacturing. Collaborating with cross-functional teams for innovation and continuous improvement.

Posted 7/30/2026full-timeRemote • New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $109,000 - $159,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Packaging Engineering, with a strong focus on food manufacturing and packaging system design. Proven ability to lead teams in developing automation solutions and improving operational efficiency within regulated environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Mechanical EngineeringFood ManufacturingPackaging System DesignAutomation Solutions DevelopmentProject Engineering

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Machine DesignTechnical Feasibility AnalysisContinuous Improvement ApplicationsFront End Loading PackagesEquipment Acceptance CriteriaRisk AssessmentCost EstimationTroubleshootingOperational EffectivenessEngineering Principles

Soft Skills

Team LeadershipProblem SolvingCommunication

Industry Keywords

United States Department of AgricultureFood and Drug AdministrationPackaging Equipment EngineeringProduction Plant Site SurveysTechnical Solutions

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Identify, develop, rollout, and provide governance for key strategies and programs across the manufacturing platform
Use subject matter expertise, third party engineering partners, and original equipment manufacturers to develop labor reducing and cost saving automation projects
Stay current with industry regulations and codes related to packaging equipment system design and operations, and provide recommendations to improve programs, policies, and goals
Provide technical and economic feasibility analysis to support business initiatives that deliver competitive advantages
Develop Front End Loading packages that are complete, clear, and reflect due diligence to ensure project success, including:
Technology assessments and recommended solutions aligned to plant, company, and industry best practices
Physical location layouts and general arrangement drawings
Infrastructure requirements and needs assessments
Equipment acceptance criteria and support of testing and acceptance trials
Equipment and system performance criteria
Identification of alternatives, prerequisites, risks, and opportunities
Partner with engineering teams to establish cost, schedule, risk, and startup requirements for projects
Write detailed functional control descriptions for unit operations and processing systems
Perform reviews of Front End Loading packages or equivalent deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, and operational effectiveness
Develop rough order of magnitude estimates to provide early business case direction
Troubleshoot and drive continuous improvement of existing packaging operations
Lead machine design improvements and equipment modifications
Conduct production plant site surveys and assessments, and provide support to sites as needed

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Packaging Engineering
7 + years of experience in food manufacturing with packaging system design
Experience leading teams and solving complex technical challenges
Subject matter expertise in one or more areas of food production line packaging equipment
Experience with machine design and working in a United States Department of Agriculture or Food and Drug Administration regulated manufacturing environment
Demonstrated success developing and implementing automation and robotic solutions
Experience in project engineering and project execution
Knowledge of continuous improvement applications within engineering design
Experience translating project requirements into technical solutions through sound engineering principles
Strong experience in packaging equipment engineering and practical application
Willingness to travel up to 50 percent to support plant operations

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities