Mechanical Development Engineer

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based dairy company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and value-added products to nourish consumers.

With more than $1B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s growing portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

The company is driven by its values of caring for people, the animals that supply us with milk, and the planet. By providing nourishing products, implementing stringent care standards for animals, and stewarding efficient operations and responsible packaging, fairlife, LLC puts a focus each day on making a positive impact for all. 

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose:

The Mechanical Development Engineer continuously evaluates all processing and utility/media equipment in our facilities, for reliability, effectiveness tracking and documenting areas of success as well as driving opportunity areas for improvement and growth. In fulfilling this role, the Mechanical Development Engineer works cross functionally with commercial, manufacturing, engineering, IT, quality, R&D, and other functions within fairlife, they will be one of the top liaisons for procuring new processing equipment while incorporating our learnings with new technologies and processes to improve quality, mechanical reliability, efficiencies, maintenance costs and speed to market.  

responsibilities:

With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation this role is responsible for:

• Defining the objectives of capacity expansion projects and overseeing the mechanical design from milk receiving to finished product container to achieve lowest risk design at lowest total cost of ownership.
• New line/plant mechanical & utility design basis (mass balance, sku mix, process flow diagram, PID approval)

• Assisting in the developing and commercializing of new technologies and processes to improve quality, efficiency, and speed to market
• Review and update functional specifications related to new processing equipment and media demands
• Review new and existing line/plant designs with focus on all mechanical, utility/media areas to reduce food safety risk and improve the overall efficiency and cost of operations
• Solving complex processing, mechanical and utility problems following escalation from plants; manage the process of escalation with plants to ensure timely resolution
• Continuously develop mechanical, utility/media monitoring and situational awareness systems that enhance efficiency and reduce losses,total cost of ownership environmental impact. Examples include equipment re-design for improved reliability, improved predictive failure analysis methods to reduce reactive downtime, more robust utilities load management, design for extended run time, faster CIP turnaround, prediction of next CIP, energy recovery, water re-use, chemical re-use etc
• Define standards to improve the accuracy and efficiency of new and existing equipment media demands
• Develop relationships globally in the dairy and beverage processing industry to keep abreast of best-in-class performance of various designs
• Assure plant compliance to Federal, State and Corporate environmental laws, rules & regulations.
• Assure that the process complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, PMO, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments
• Effectively collaborate and coordinate with plant & project engineering teams to ensure all project work is performed on time and within budget
• Support commissioning and validation activities, review and execution of Factory Acceptance Test and Site Acceptance Test (FAT/SAT) protocols
• Document and clearly communicate the design intent of all equipment installed new and existing to the plants key stakeholders 
• Provides verbal and written reports to communicate project status as required and contribute to project review meetings.
• key role in supporting the organization for the commercialization of new products
• key decision maker in aseptic equipment vendor selection and contract negotiation
• Other duties as assigned.

skills/qualifications required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or another related field.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in Mechanical Engineering and operations disciplines within low acid aseptic beverage
• Proven track record of improving manufacturing processes through re-design and automation, and the introduction of new technologies  
• Strong working knowledge of automation, PLC, MES and factory floor monitoring and reporting
• Strong attention to detail and business analytical skills
• Strong understanding of process/product interactions with the ability to provide a risk assessment and primary recommendation
• Demonstrated excellence in communication and presentation
• Familiarity with instrumentation (flow meters, level transmitters, RTDs/temperature transmitters, level probes, etc.)
• Bachelor’s degree: Master’s in Business Administration or other professional certifications preferred
• Ability to handle ambiguity and thrive in fast paced, entrepreneurial work environment
• Ability to travel as needed

food safety requirements:

• Notify management of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system

position location: Coopersville, MI or Goodyear, AZ

reports to: VP of Process Technologies

travel:  25-50% depending on location including some international

exempt/nonexempt: exempt

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [email protected].