Senior Director, Engineering – Design Group

Conagra Brands

Senior engineering leader advancing Conagra Brands' food manufacturing automation, packaging, and processing systems. Guiding enterprise strategy, standards, capital planning, and technical teams across the manufacturing network.

Posted 8/4/2026full-timeOmaha • Illinois, New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $157,000 - $241,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing enterprise automation strategies, with a strong focus on food processing and packaging systems. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive operational excellence through innovative technology solutions and compliance with industry standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Enterprise Automation Strategy DevelopmentFood Processing and Packaging SystemsTechnical Resource LeadershipCompliance with OSHA and EPA RegulationsRobotics and Vision Systems Integration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Engineering DegreeFood Manufacturing ExperienceTechnical Standards DevelopmentPerformance SpecificationsVendor Performance ManagementRoboticsPLC and HMI ControlsData Acquisition SystemsEquipment IntegrationSanitary Design Practices

Soft Skills

CollaborationMentoringLeadershipProblem-SolvingCommunication

Tools & Technologies

Connected Manufacturing PlatformsAutomation TechnologiesMaterial Handling SystemsThermal Processing EquipmentInspection Systems

Industry Keywords

Food SafetyManufacturing AutomationBiotechnologyPharmaceutical ManufacturingCapital Planning

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop the strategic vision and direction for Engineering and Operations Technical organizations
Provide enterprise leadership for packaging, processing, and manufacturing automation capabilities
Collaborate with senior operations management and cross-functional teams to deliver business objectives
Develop strategies for new product innovation, packaging and processing modernization, automation roadmaps, labor productivity, yield improvement, and startup excellence
Lead packaging, processing, and automation strategy development
Serve as subject matter expert for selecting, evaluating, estimating costs, and justifying technical solutions
Govern engineering standards, specifications, controls architecture, sanitary design practices, performance specifications, and equipment standardization
Oversee commissioning, capability verification, equipment acceptance, and operational handoff
Evaluate emerging robotics, vision, connected shop floor, controls, digital manufacturing, and material handling technologies
Lead strategic initiatives involving technology due diligence, supplier evaluations, acquisitions, divestitures, and new technology assessments
Establish enterprise-wide compliance direction for automation safety, machine guarding, sanitary design, controls, packaging, processing, and food safety
Provide expert support for line performance, processing capability, automation troubleshooting, vendor performance, and project escalations
Direct long-range capital planning for packaging, processing, robotics, controls, material handling, case packing, palletizing, and connected manufacturing
Develop and mentor engineering talent and cross-functional technical teams
Partner with plant leadership to improve reliability, productivity, quality, and operational excellence

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in Engineering
Fifteen or more years of engineering experience
Minimum five years in food manufacturing or a closely related industry such as biotechnology or pharmaceutical manufacturing
Three to five years of technical resource leadership experience
Deep knowledge of food processing and packaging systems, including filling, forming, wrapping, case packing, palletizing, material handling, thermal processing, freezing, batching, mixing, inspection, and sanitation requirements
Demonstrated success developing and executing enterprise automation strategies involving robotics, collaborative robots, vision systems, PLC and HMI controls, connected manufacturing platforms, data acquisition systems, and equipment integration
Experience developing technical standards, performance specifications, equipment acceptance criteria, and vendor performance expectations
Working knowledge of OSHA and EPA regulations, enforcement practices, and compliance requirements
Ability to travel up to 50%
Ability to work in manufacturing facilities and perform applicable physical tasks, including walking, climbing stairs/ladders, kneeling, repetitive hand-eye coordination tasks, and lifting or carrying materials

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive healthcare plans
Wellness incentive program
Mental wellbeing support
Fitness reimbursement
Bonus incentive opportunity
Matching 401(k)
Stock purchase plan
Career development opportunities
Employee resource groups
On-demand learning
Tuition reimbursement
Paid time off
Parental leave
Flexible work schedules
Volunteer opportunities