Principal Engineer - Packaging Equipment

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you will provide technical leadership to identify and develop strategies and projects that deliver the highest value business benefit to the company. You will work with cross functional teams to review requirements and develop optimized technical solutions that fit business needs. This is a Corporate Engineering role supporting manufacturing operations through innovation, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

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

Ingredients Required for Your Success

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

This position is located in Omaha NE, Chicago IL, select field locations or remote locations east of Denver, CO and within reasonable proximity (50 miles) to a major airport

Willingness to travel up to 50 percent to support plant operations

#LI-Remote #LI-PM2 #LI-MSL

Compensation Pay Range:$109,000-$159,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Anticipated Close Date November 25, 2026

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

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

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.