Project principal engineer

Would you like to lead complex engineering projects and help shape the technical direction of a manufacturing organisation?

As Project Principal Engineer, you will be a key technical authority responsible for leading and supporting complex engineering initiatives across Operations & Engineering and Innovation & R&D. You will apply your extensive engineering experience to solve critical operational challenges and deliver measurable improvements in reliability, efficiency, quality and operational performance.

Working with a high degree of autonomy, you will be a trusted technical partner to stakeholders across the organisation. You will also contribute to the development of engineering standards, methodologies and best practices, with a strong focus on safety, quality and regulatory compliance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the resolution of complex technical issues relating to equipment and processes through advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis and the implementation of sustainable solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance, and influence technical decision-making across functions.
• Define, lead and oversee large-scale or business-critical engineering projects.
• Drive technical planning, including project scoping, risk assessment, technical requirements and resource planning.
• Identify technical advancement opportunities that support long-term operational and business objectives, including the expansion of production capacity.
• Analyse operational, process and reliability data and translate findings into recommendations and long-term improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Operations & Engineering, Supply Chain, EHS & Quality, Manufacturing and Innovation & R&D.
• Develop and ensure compliance with engineering standards, technical documentation and relevant safety, quality and regulatory requirements.

Your profile

• You hold a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• You typically have 8–10+ years of experience within manufacturing, production, operations or process industries.
• You have extensive experience leading large-scale, complex or business-critical engineering projects.
• You have a proven track record of improving operational performance, equipment reliability, production efficiency and product quality.
• You possess deep technical expertise in manufacturing and operational engineering, together with a broad understanding of engineering methodologies, systems and technologies.
• You have strong capabilities within project leadership, risk assessment, problem-solving and strategic decision support.
• You communicate complex technical topics clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• You have a strong understanding of safety, quality, regulatory and compliance requirements.
• You are professionally proficient in English.

About you

You lead through expertise, credibility and influence. You take a strategic and forward-thinking approach, work independently and maintain perspective in complex or ambiguous situations. At the same time, you are a strong relationship builder who collaborates effectively across disciplines and organisational levels.

What we offer

You will take on a key technical role with significant influence on complex projects, engineering standards and the long-term development of our manufacturing operations. The position offers the opportunity to work independently on business-critical challenges and deliver results in close collaboration with specialists and decision-makers across the organisation.

Interested? If you are motivated by solving complex technical challenges and shaping the direction of engineering in a manufacturing organisation, we look forward to receiving your application.

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.