Plant Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Plant Engineer jobs in North Carolina draw steady demand across the state's manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage processing sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level maintenance engineer through senior plant engineering manager. Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Greensboro account for the largest share of active listings, anchored by major employers such as Honeywell, Corning, and Smithfield Foods that maintain long-running operations throughout the state. The most sought-after specialties are process improvement, utilities and facilities engineering, and automation systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Plant Engineer jobs
Plant Engineer
You'll lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more, driving our plant to new heights as part of a High-Performing Manufacturing Organization.
As the leader of engineering activities, you will ensure our facilities remain a state-of-the-art food manufacturing process, developing and executing highly innovative technology projects
Position Responsibilities:
- Take ownership of capital projects from concept to completion! You’ll manage and schedule all project elements to ensure minimal disruption to plant operations, delivering projects on time, on budget, and without compromising safety, food safety, or environmental standards.
- Lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems that keep our plant operating at peak performance. You'll be the driving force behind Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and other high-impact strategies, ensuring optimal scheduling that maximizes task completion with minimal downtime.
- Manage the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and guiding work assignments. Your ability to organize, plan, and follow through ensures work is completed efficiently and safely.
- Provide both short-term fixes and long-term solutions to everyday operational challenges. Whether troubleshooting, conducting problem analysis, or addressing equipment failures, you’ll ensure the smooth daily operation of the plant with minimal recurring issues.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or related field and 8+ years’ relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
. Food Manufacturing industry experience is required.
- High level of leadership skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
- Possess advanced technical skills in the mechanical/electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.) and is able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment.
- Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
- Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment, interpret and communicate results.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Word.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
Plant Engineer
You'll lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more, driving our plant to new heights as part of a High-Performing Manufacturing Organization.
As the leader of engineering activities, you will ensure our facilities remain a state-of-the-art food manufacturing process, developing and executing highly innovative technology projects
Position Responsibilities:
- Take ownership of capital projects from concept to completion! You’ll manage and schedule all project elements to ensure minimal disruption to plant operations, delivering projects on time, on budget, and without compromising safety, food safety, or environmental standards.
- Lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems that keep our plant operating at peak performance. You'll be the driving force behind Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and other high-impact strategies, ensuring optimal scheduling that maximizes task completion with minimal downtime.
- Manage the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and guiding work assignments. Your ability to organize, plan, and follow through ensures work is completed efficiently and safely.
- Provide both short-term fixes and long-term solutions to everyday operational challenges. Whether troubleshooting, conducting problem analysis, or addressing equipment failures, you’ll ensure the smooth daily operation of the plant with minimal recurring issues.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or related field and 8+ years’ relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
. Food Manufacturing industry experience is required.
- High level of leadership skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
- Possess advanced technical skills in the mechanical/electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.) and is able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment.
- Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
- Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment, interpret and communicate results.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Word.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
See All 18 Plant Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Plant Engineer JobsPlant Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Plant Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Mining & Natural Resources
- Consulting & Professional Services
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in plant engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or chemical engineering from an accredited program
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors preferred for senior roles
- Hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, equipment maintenance, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Proficiency with CAD software and computerized maintenance management systems such as SAP or Maximo
- Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA safety regulations and plant environmental compliance standards
- Strong project management skills with experience leading capital improvement or equipment installation projects
Plant Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a plant engineer in North Carolina?
Most plant engineer roles in North Carolina require at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or chemical engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Senior and consulting positions often require licensure through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, which administers the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Earning your Engineer-in-Training designation early strengthens your candidacy even for roles where full licensure is not yet required.
How much do plant engineers make in North Carolina?
Plant engineers in North Carolina earn a median of about $99,310 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,930 for the lowest 10% to over $139,110 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire plant engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring plant engineers in North Carolina right now include GE Vernova, Procter & Gamble, and Ethos, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's deep concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Research Triangle and large food processing facilities in the eastern part of the state means plant engineering demand stays consistent year-round across both regions.
Which North Carolina cities have the most plant engineer jobs?
Wilmington, Wilson, and Bessemer City lead North Carolina for plant engineer openings. Charlotte's large industrial and advanced manufacturing base drives its volume, Raleigh-Durham benefits from pharmaceutical and biotech campuses concentrated in the Research Triangle Park corridor, and Greensboro's long-established textile and distribution operations keep a steady flow of plant engineering openings in the Piedmont Triad.
Are there remote plant engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. Plant engineering is fundamentally a hands-on, on-site discipline tied to physical equipment and production floors, so fully remote positions represent a small fraction of the market. About 50% of plant engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles tend to be in project engineering, capital planning, or process documentation rather than day-to-day plant operations.
How can I get hired as a plant engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly for manufacturing engineer or facilities engineer associate roles, which large North Carolina employers such as Honeywell and Corning use to bring in new graduates. Pursuing your Engineer-in-Training designation through the North Carolina Board of Examiners immediately after graduation signals readiness and gives you a concrete credential. Co-op and internship experience at a North Carolina production facility, even in a maintenance or process technician capacity, is often enough to clear the experience threshold for a first full-time position.
Where can I find and apply to plant engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to plant engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current North Carolina openings updated regularly. Search the listings to see what is available right now, find the roles that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 18 Plant Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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