Food & Beverage STEM OPT Jobs in North Carolina

INTRODUCTION

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

SUMMARY

Are you ready to launch your career as a future engineering leader at Perdue? As part of our Engineering Management Trainee (Pathways) Program, beginning in June 2027, you’ll embark on a 24-month leadership development journey designed to prepare the next generation of engineering leaders. Through hands-on learning, meaningful projects, structured rotations, mentorship, and leadership development, you’ll gain real-world experience in plant operations, engineering work processes, project management, and capital project execution while building the technical and leadership skills needed to make a lasting impact. During your first year, you’ll explore key engineering, operational, and support areas and develop a strong foundation in engineering practices, project execution, and plant operations before transitioning into an engineering leadership assignment. Your second year will accelerate your growth through personalized development, mentorship, cohort learning, meaningful project work, and advanced technical experiences designed to prepare you for long-term success. This program is ideal for motivated, curious, and driven individuals who are eager to learn, take on meaningful challenges, and build a rewarding career helping drive innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement at Perdue.

BENEFITS

• Participate in up to two (2) Regional Pathways Training events alongside fellow participants from across the organization. These experiences include leadership development, networking opportunities, company tours, community service initiatives, social events, and direct interaction with senior leaders.
• Competitive hourly pay during EMT I, with transition to a salaried, exempt position upon successful progression to EMT II at approximately six months, and an additional scheduled pay progression at 12 months.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including a transition bonus and relocation assistance for eligible participants.
• Opportunity to advance into an Associate Plant Engineer or comparable engineering assignment upon successful completion of the first 12 months of the Pathways Program, based on business need and demonstrated readiness.
• During your second year, you’ll continue accelerating your career through advanced engineering and leadership development, personalized career mapping, enhanced learning opportunities, cohort learning, and dedicated mentorship.

SCHEDULE: Department and shift assignments will vary throughout the rotational program and will be determined based on the participant’s assigned rotation and business needs. Specific schedules will be communicated prior to each rotation.

PRINCIPAL ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

EMT I 0-6 months

• Participate in structured rotations across key operational, support, and engineering areas to build an end-to-end understanding of plant operations, production systems, engineering work processes, interdepartmental communication, and the connection between engineering decisions and business results.
• Learn and apply Perdue’s expectations for associate safety, food safety, quality, environmental compliance, engineering standards, and operational requirements while working alongside experienced engineers, project managers, maintenance leaders, operations leaders, and frontline associates.
• Develop working knowledge of project management, technical engineering, capital project execution, engineering work processes, facility infrastructure, equipment and production systems, and project documentation through hands-on learning and observation.
• Support daily engineering and operational activities under the direction of experienced leaders, gaining exposure to project meetings, equipment layouts, technical documentation, project schedules, cost considerations, field activities, and issue escalation.
• Build relationships with frontline associates and cross-functional partners while demonstrating teamwork, integrity, respect, accountability, and a willingness to learn.
• Use operational, project, and equipment data and observations to identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to assigned projects that support safety, quality, reliability, cost, capacity, energy, or operational performance.
• Participate in Pathways learning, mentoring, business tours, leadership development sessions, and cohort activities to strengthen communication, business acumen, technical knowledge, and leadership capabilities.
• Demonstrate increasing independence throughout the first six months by applying learned concepts, communicating observations and recommendations, and taking ownership of assigned tasks and development goals.

EMT II 6-12 months

• Continue structured engineering learning while taking on increased responsibility for day-to-day project and technical activities and preparing for transition into a full-time engineering assignment at the completion of 12 months.
• Support capital projects by helping coordinate project activities, communicate priorities, reinforce safety and compliance expectations, and work with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and other cross-functional partners to keep assigned work on track.
• Participate in project meetings and support the development and management of project scope, business objectives, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and risks using established engineering work processes and project management practices.
• Apply developing engineering knowledge to facility infrastructure, equipment, production systems, technical maintenance support, environmental and energy utilization, and other assigned project needs.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of accurate floor plans, equipment layouts, project documentation, technical information, project metrics, and status updates needed to support effective project execution.
• Participate in and, as development progresses, take ownership of continuous improvement and capital project opportunities that improve safety, compliance, quality, reliability, capacity, profitable growth, cost, energy use, or operational performance.
• Communicate project updates, performance results, schedule or budget risks, technical challenges, and improvement opportunities to engineering leadership and cross-functional partners; prepare and deliver presentations on assigned projects or engineering topics.
• Develop working knowledge of capital planning and forecasting by supporting project prioritization, cost estimates, spend tracking, and longer-term capital planning activities within established guidelines.
• Demonstrate readiness for an Associate Plant Engineer or comparable engineering assignment by independently leading defined project activities, making sound decisions within established guidelines, escalating risks appropriately, and balancing safety, compliance, quality, scope, schedule, cost, and operational priorities.
• Continue participating in Pathways cohort learning and leadership development, including topics such as continuous improvement, associate and food safety, project management, leading cross-functional teams, business acumen, problem-solving, decision-making, and presenting to leadership, while applying those learnings to the workplace.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university completed within 24 months of the Pathways Program start date.
• For the June 2027 program, eligible graduation dates include: May 2025 – May 2027
• Preferred degree concentrations include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership potential and interest in a career in engineering, project engineering, or project management.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and influence across business functions.
• Ability to work well within a team setting, as well as independently.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced manufacturing and project environment.
• Must be willing to travel to Perdue facilities and project sites for rotations, meetings, project work, and development opportunities.
• Must be willing to relocate for career opportunities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; AutoCAD experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Project management, construction, manufacturing, maintenance, or engineering-related experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Position is active in project and plant environments, where floor activities such as troubleshooting, field verification, project execution, and redesign of existing systems may be routine.
• Ability to move throughout plant, office, construction, feed mill, hatchery, wastewater, and other facility environments as applicable, including accessing equipment, files, supplies, ladders, stairs, and work areas.
• May be exposed to wet or moist floors, metal or plastic grating, temperature and humidity extremes, noise, chemicals, operating equipment, and other conditions associated with poultry processing and industrial environments.
• May need to move equipment occasionally and perform bending, twisting, reaching, lifting up to 50 lbs., sitting, standing, walking, and grasping depending on the project or task required.
• Must use and/or wear protective and safety equipment required for the job and follow applicable safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout where required.
• Must be able to work at heights and on or around operating equipment as required by the assignment.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.