Plant Engineering Manager

UTLX

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

Position Summary: The Manager, Plant Engineering, is responsible for leading the planning, development, execution, and successful completion of capital projects across Union Tank Car Company's repair shop network. This role oversees all phases of facility, equipment, machinery, utility, infrastructure, and modernization projects from concept development through commissioning and project closeout.

The position provides strategic and technical leadership to support safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective repair operations while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards. The incumbent partners closely with Plant Managers, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Procurement, and Finance to develop and execute capital investment strategies that support business objectives.

This position directly leads the U.S.-based Project Engineering team and serves as a key contributor to the organization's long-term asset management and capital planning efforts.

Primary responsibilities and/or essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the planning, development, justification, execution, and successful completion of capital projects involving facilities, infrastructure, utilities, production equipment, automation systems, and manufacturing processes across all repair shop locations.
• Develop and manage project scopes, budgets, schedules, resource plans, risk assessments, and performance metrics to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within approved budgets.
• Collaborate with Plant Managers and Operations leadership to identify capital investment opportunities that improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, capacity, and cost performance.
• Direct the evaluation, specification, procurement, installation, commissioning, and optimization of production equipment, utility systems, facility upgrades, and other capital assets.
• Provide technical leadership and engineering support to plant personnel regarding equipment performance, facility infrastructure, maintenance strategies, utility systems, and operational challenges.
• Develop, maintain, and execute the Company's multi-year capital project plan, including project prioritization, budget forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Monitor project progress and provide regular updates to executive leadership, ensuring effective communication of project status, risks, mitigation plans, and financial performance.
• Lead, coach, develop, and evaluate Corporate Project Engineers and other assigned personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage relationships with engineering firms, consultants, contractors, equipment suppliers, and construction partners to ensure project objectives, quality standards, and contractual requirements are achieved.
• Ensure all engineering projects, facility modifications, equipment installations, and maintenance activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, industry standards, environmental requirements, and Company policies.
• Support asset reliability initiatives through root cause analysis, equipment performance evaluations, continuous improvement efforts, and implementation of best practices to reduce downtime and improve operational effectiveness.
• Partner with Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), Quality, Procurement, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure engineering activities align with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, automation solutions, data analytics tools, and artificial intelligence applications that enhance project execution, operational performance, asset management, and business decision-making.
• Prepare project justifications, business cases, return-on-investment analyses, and capital appropriation requests to support informed investment decisions.
• Ensure adherence to the Company's Quality Policy by promoting defect prevention, process improvement, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence throughout all engineering and project activities.
• Support strategic initiatives related to facility modernization, sustainability, energy management, operational efficiency, and long-term asset performance.
• Participate in talent management activities, including workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning, employee development, and performance management.
• Travel regularly to manufacturing and repair facilities to review project progress, conduct engineering assessments, support operations, and ensure alignment with company objectives.
• Maintain proficiency in engineering technologies, project management methodologies, digital tools, and industry best practices necessary to support organizational growth and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned in support of the Company's strategic and operational objectives.

Required Skills/Specifications:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop engineering, project management, and technical teams in a multi-site manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong leadership, coaching, performance management, and talent development skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Proven capability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and stakeholders simultaneously.

• Comprehensive knowledge of industrial manufacturing systems, facility infrastructure, utilities, maintenance practices, and production equipment.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles related to mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, and industrial systems.
• Experience with capital project development, engineering design, equipment selection, construction management, and project commissioning.
• Knowledge of reliability engineering, preventative maintenance, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Working knowledge of automation, controls systems, and emerging manufacturing technologies.

• Strong project management skills with demonstrated success managing large-scale capital projects from concept through completion.
• Ability to develop business cases, capital appropriation requests, return-on-investment analyses, and project justifications.
• Experience managing capital and expense budgets and controlling project costs.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial data to support business decisions.

• Thorough understanding of OSHA regulations, environmental requirements, industry codes, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and risk management practices.
• Ability to ensure facilities, equipment, and projects comply with all regulatory and corporate requirements.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, and Teams.
• Proficiency in CAD software and engineering documentation systems.
• Ability to utilize digital technologies, data analytics tools, and AI-enabled solutions to improve project execution, reporting, operational efficiency, and decision-making.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil Engineering) from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, capital project management, plant engineering, maintenance management, manufacturing operations, or related industrial environment.
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience managing engineering, project management, maintenance, or technical personnel.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant capital projects, including facility expansion, equipment installations, infrastructure improvements, and operational modernization initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Project Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities within a geographically dispersed organization.
• Experience with asset reliability programs, Lean Manufacturing, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience implementing automation, digital transformation, or predictive maintenance.
• Experience using AI-powered tools and advanced analytics to improve engineering project execution, maintenance planning, and business performance.

Work Environment & Schedule:

• Ability to travel 25% as required to support operations, project execution, vendor evaluations, and facility assessments.
• Hybrid work schedule reporting to the Chicago, IL Office with a minimum of two days per week on-site and up to three days remote, subject to business needs.
• Other: Ability to work extended hours when needed  

Disclaimer:

Please note the duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work. Duties, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

It is the policy of Union Tank Car Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, and to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons in all jobs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation, gender identify, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic protected by the law.

Why Join Our Team?

We take pride in offering our employees rich benefits packages. We appreciate hard-working and passionate individuals which is why we offer...

• Tuition reimbursement program
• Day 1 Medical, dental, vision
• Company-paid employee and dependent life insurance
• Company-paid sickness and accident income
• 401k with a generous company match
• 4 - Week Paid Parental Leave
• Holiday pay
• Vacation
• Marmon employee discount program

Pay Range:

153,000.00 - 187,000.00

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to careers@marmon.com, and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.