Plant Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Plant engineer jobs in Tennessee are in strong demand, concentrated in automotive manufacturing, chemical processing, food and beverage production, and industrial facilities, with openings at every level from entry-level process engineers through senior plant engineering managers. The busiest hiring markets are Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis, where employers like Volkswagen Group of America, Eastman Chemical Company, and FedEx maintain large-scale operations requiring ongoing plant engineering talent. Process improvement, utilities management, and capital project execution are among the most sought-after specialties across Tennessee facilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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POSITION PURPOSE
The Plant Manufacturing Engineer II is responsible for manufacturing related projects in areas that include, but are not limited to, equipment assessment and improvement, process improvements, safety and environmental issues, information systems and lean practices. This position will also initiate, lead, and execute cost out projects that may include the preparation of Capital Expenditure Requests, with financial justification, for equipment repair, new technology, and/or processes. The individual shall demonstrate BAC’s values of Earning Trust, Embracing Responsibility, Showing Courage, and Driving Innovation. The purpose for every position at BAC, regardless of department or level, can be summed up as doing the right thing in the right way.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Lead the identification and initiation of safety, quality and productivity cost out projects. Develop detailed project plans and improvement projections to recommend a course of action to the Department Manager and Plant Leadership Team.
- Benchmark, research, evaluate and specify technology and/or equipment for process improvement projects.
- Implement new technology, equipment, or processes while tracking completion against the project plan.
- Identify and lead, while partnering with the maintenance department, equipment refurbishment and upgrade projects, to improve reliability, throughput, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures).
- Partner with the engineering, maintenance and operations teams to improve Preventive Maintenance programs effectiveness, driving a sustainable TPM culture.
- Analyze significant equipment and process failures to determine the root cause and create action plans to mitigate future risk.
- Support commissioning activities for all upgrade, renovation, and construction projects which may include, but are not limited to, operating procedures, repair procedures, energy isolation procedures, PM tasks and critical spare parts lists.
- Support, train and mentor maintenance mechanics and machine operators on optimal machine function, and service techniques.
- Develop control plans for equipment.
- Audit existing processes for conformance to standards.
- Design and implement complex fixtures and tooling, when necessary, to support consistent and safe manufacturing processes.
- Prepares Capital Expenditure Requests for equipment and process improvements. Maintains accurate cost out performance for the project.
- Acts locally while thinking regionally by sharing and adopting best practices in manufacturing technology and processes.
- Develop a deep understanding of manufacturing equipment.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and adherence to safety polices.
NATURE & SCOPE
The Plant Manufacturing Engineer II will report to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager. This role is based in Dayton, TN. This position does not have direct reports.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
- Education and Experience:
- Bachelor of Science in an Engineering discipline; Manufacturing, Industrial or Mechanical preferred
- Minimum 5 years’ experience with metal fabrication equipment and process improvement
- Demonstrated hands-on and leadership experience executing projects
- Systems Experience:
- Excellent skills in MS Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Demonstrated strong engineering skills, including 2D/3D CAD design and GD&T experience
- Office365 experience and low coding strongly preferred
- CMMS experience preferred
- Project Management Experience:
- Demonstrated project management skills and sound technical judgment
- Strong internal/external customer focus to drive successful project results
- Demonstrated leadership, communication, and collaboration skills
- Ability to influence, negotiate, and build consensus in order to make decisions to move projects forward
- Experience with change management methodologies preferred
- Technical Experience:
- Knowledge/experience of electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems preferred
- Knowledge of manufacturing technologies including sheet metal fabrication, steel tube fabrication/bending, welding, coatings, thermoforming, controls, automation and IoT preferred
- Hands on fabrication and/or operations experience preferred (Mills, Lathes, Grinders, CNCs, Welding, etc.)
- Demonstrated proficiency leading and executing actions to correct machinery deficiencies yielding throughput and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) improvements
- Experience identifying and implementing opportunities using the Five Lean Principles, 5S and the Eight Wastes
- Demonstrated competency with Root Cause Analysis and Problem-Solving techniques such as 5Y, Fish Bone and A3
- Experience with the FMEA process to eliminate and mitigate risk
- Experience with identifying and implementing cost outs for labor, materials and overhead
- Demonstrated proficiency for data collection, analysis, presentation, and decision making
- Communication Experience:
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to work on a wide variety of projects and communicate effectively with key stakeholders
WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk up to 60% of the time. Physical work is required up to 25% of the time. This position requires occasional lifting up to 50 pounds and travel up to 10% of the time.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 5 Plant Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Plant Engineer JobsPlant Engineer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Plant Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in plant engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, industrial, or electrical engineering required
- Professional Engineer (PE) license from the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners preferred for senior roles
- Three or more years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial plant environment
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, PLC systems, or CMMS platforms such as SAP or Maximo
- Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA process safety management and environmental compliance regulations
- Experience leading capital improvement projects, equipment installations, or plant expansion initiatives
Plant Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a plant engineer in Tennessee?
The standard path is a bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, industrial, or electrical engineering, followed by gaining hands-on experience in a manufacturing or plant environment. Tennessee does not require a license to work as a plant engineer in most industrial roles, but many employers prefer or require a Professional Engineer license issued by the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners, which involves passing the FE and PE exams and documenting relevant engineering experience.
How much do plant engineers make in Tennessee?
Plant engineers in Tennessee earn a median of about $99,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $72,200 for the lowest 10% to over $132,040 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire plant engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring plant engineers in Tennessee right now include Dauch, TotalEnergies, and Sargent & Lundy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's strong concentration of automotive assembly plants, chemical manufacturers, and large distribution operations means consistent plant engineering demand across the state year-round.
Which Tennessee cities have the most plant engineer jobs?
Dayton, Sparta, and Gallatin have the most plant engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville anchors hiring through its growing advanced manufacturing base and corporate facility operations, Chattanooga draws demand from Volkswagen's assembly plant and its supplier network, and Memphis supports plant engineering roles through its heavy logistics, food processing, and distribution infrastructure.
Are there remote plant engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Plant engineering is fundamentally an on-site role, as the work centers on physical equipment, production lines, and facility systems that require direct presence. About 0% of plant engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to involve project planning, capital budgeting, or technical documentation phases rather than day-to-day plant floor responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a plant engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is applying for a process engineering associate, maintenance engineer, or manufacturing engineer role at one of Tennessee's major industrial employers, many of which run structured new-graduate rotational programs. Volkswagen's Chattanooga operations, Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, and large food manufacturers in Memphis regularly bring on recent engineering graduates. Completing an FE exam or earning a relevant co-op credential from Tennessee Technological University or the University of Tennessee strengthens a new applicant's profile considerably.
Where can I find and apply to plant engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to plant engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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