Production Engineer

About Aurora Organic Dairy

Aurora Organic Dairy is committed to delivering organic dairy integrity, from cow to carton, to everyone, everywhere. Guided by our focus on animals, people, and planet, we produce high-quality organic dairy products while caring for our cows, supporting our employees, investing in our communities, and operating with responsible stewardship. Our team is driven by values that include organic commitment, compassion, teamwork, excellence, transparency, entrepreneurial thinking, and stewardship. At AOD, every role contributes to meaningful work that supports safe, high-quality food, a respectful workplace, and a more sustainable future.

The Production Engineer will work in tandem with department engineers to collaborate, develop, and execute preventative maintenance programs, emergency work order solutions, employee training, and employee accountability for work performed. The primary responsibility of this position is to ensure the sustainability of high-volume milk processing and packaging requirements. Other essential responsibilities are detailed below.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• All plant personnel have the responsibility to monitor and report any deviations from our Food Safety and Food Quality (HACCP & SQF) programs to your immediate supervisor.
• Responsible for all production equipment reliability to achieve both short term and long term OEE goals. 
• Devise and execute improvement schemes that drive productivity, safety and quality. 
• Participate in the design, modification, and maintenance of all existing and new equipment in the Plant. 
• Participate in developing and executing training sessions for both operators and maintenance technicians.
• Responsible for reliable performance of all facility equipment that support safe production operation. 
• Support other production functions (Receiving, Processing, Packaging, Quality Assurance, Warehousing) when necessary.
• Program coordinator of PSM/RMP and works with the Industrial Safety Engineer and direct reports to ensure compliance.
• Develop and execute training events for maintenance personnel.
• Assist other maintenance technicians in performing hands-on repairs as needed.
• Ensure open communications and collaborate with all Plant personnel.
• SQF Support – Responsible for development, training, implementation, and compliance of the SQF program.
• Support Industrial Safety Engineer in safety programs compliance.

OTHER REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Collaborate with all engineers to ensure all equipment are maintained to support production processes
• Maintain work and materials records as well as shop parts inventories.
• Be available to assist and engage in off-hours repairs.
• Collaborate with other department needs and projects.
• Support other AOD business divisions and plant operations where necessary.
• Provide feedback daily to maintenance techs and year-end data for performance reviews
• Other duties as assigned by department manager.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS:  

1. Technical Education    
2. Goal Oriented    
3. Integrity
4. Organization / Planning    
5. Collaboration    
6. Team Player
7. Communications/ Coaching, Training & Development    
8. Can-do attitude
9. Conflict Management   
10. Team Building    

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:  

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Vocational school training preferred.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Fabrication and welding skills highly desired.
• Solid electrical trouble-shooting skills.
• Be able to navigate PLC programs (programming experience not required) in trouble-shooting process. 
• Five years or more in hands-on maintenance experience in a food processing facility, with fluid processing experience preferred.
• Experience in facility maintenance hands-on experience, particularly in ammonia refrigeration and high-pressure steam generation is highly desirable.
• Must be able to read and interpret electrical and maintenance manuals for equipment maintenance and repair.
• High level of reasoning ability to solve practical problems in situations where standardization may not exist. 
• Knowledge of PM procedures and standard repair procedures for industrial equipment.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and is a self-starter.
• Be able to communicate via any means (text, email, voice); frequent computer use will be necessary.
• Will be required to provide on-call coverage.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must have ability to regularly stand, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl around equipment. May be required to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Possible exposure to moving mechanical parts.
• Ability to work in varying temperature conditions, often in wet and/or humid conditions. Noise level requires hearing protection.
• Must be comfortable working at heights.

EEOC

Aurora Organic Dairy is an equal opportunity employer. The company prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment against applicants and employees based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The company also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, consistent with applicable law.