Join Accelerator (Mars Snacking) as a Principal Project Engineer - PCIS in Chicago, IL. This full-time, onsite role (with up to 50% travel) places you at the center of our digital transformation, leading critical automation and capital projects, managing multi-million dollar investments, and guiding a dedicated engineering team.
Requirements
Required: A BS Degree in Engineering.
Required: 8-10+ years of technical experience in automation and industrial controls, preferably in consumer products.
Required: 2-4+ years of line management experience and a track record of leading capital projects (ideally with budgets over $10M).
Required: Deep expertise in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, industrial networking, and safety circuits.
Required: Ability to travel up to 50%.
Skills & Responsibilities
Industrial Controls & Automation: Drive technical strategy by designing and programming PLC and HMI/SCADA systems, configuring industrial networks, and troubleshooting complex control architectures.
Project Management & Governance: Own end-to-end execution of multi-million dollar capital projects, overseeing budgets, schedules, cost estimation, and vendor management.
Digital Transformation: Implement IIoT solutions, MES connectivity, and advanced analytics to support the 'Digital by Design' and Industry 4.0 agenda.
Team Leadership & Mentorship: Provide direct line management and technical mentorship to engineering associates, fostering a high-performance culture.
Potential transition routes: People from Senior Automation Engineer or Controls Project Manager roles may bring strong PLC programming, system integration, and project governance skills, alongside meeting the mandatory engineering degree and automation experience requirements.
Job description
Job Description:
Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what’s next for Snacking. It’s home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE’S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations.
We’re looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We’re proudly part of Mars, while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you’ve found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!
As a Principal Project Engineer, PCIS, you will be a key technical leader for our Controls, Digital, and Automation team. This is a chance to steer the future of our manufacturing capabilities by leading critical automation and capital projects from concept to completion. You will guide a dedicated team of engineers, manage multi-million dollar investments, and align project strategy with our ambitious business goals. This role is a unique blend of deep industrial controls expertise, strategic project delivery, and impactful team leadership, placing you at the center of our digital transformation.
You will drive our technical strategy by establishing best-in-class standards for automation, control architecture, and system integration across our facilities. By mentoring project leaders and removing roadblocks, you will ensure your team delivers high-impact results, optimizing our operations and building the factory of the future. If you are passionate about pioneering new technologies and leading teams to achieve breakthrough performance, this is the role for you.
What are we looking for?
A BS Degree in Engineering with 8-10+ years of technical experience in a role focused on automation and industrial controls, preferably in consumer products.
Proven leadership experience with 2-4+ years of line management and a track record of leading capital projects, preferably with budgets over $10M.
Deep expertise in PLC programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMI/SCADA development (e.g., FactoryTalk, Ignition), and troubleshooting complex control systems.
Strong understanding of industrial networking (e.g., Ethernet/IP), safety circuits, and regulatory standards (e.g., NFPA, UL, CE).
Experience with system integration, testing, and commissioning of automated systems, including motion control and servo systems.
Excellent project governance skills, including cost estimation, scheduling, and vendor management.
A collaborative leader with effective relationship management skills and the ability to thrive both independently and in a team environment.
Ability to travel up to 50% depending on project needs.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Provide direct line management and technical mentorship to a team of engineering associates, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture.
Own and direct the end-to-end execution of capital projects, ensuring delivery on time and within budget through defined stage-gate processes.
Establish and govern automation, control architecture, and cybersecurity standards for all regional capital projects.
Drive the "Digital by Design" and Industry 4.0 agenda by implementing IIoT solutions, MES connectivity, and advanced analytics to improve asset reliability.
Lead project governance, including financial oversight of budgets up to $5M+, schedule tracking, and stakeholder management.
Partner with cross-functional teams including Operations, Maintenance, R&D, and Finance to ensure projects are seamlessly integrated into our facilities.
Oversee vendors and contractors, ensuring adherence to scope, specifications, and Mars' Early Management (EM) and safety standards.
Serve as the senior technical authority for design reviews, code approvals, and complex troubleshooting challenges.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by our Five Principles.
Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
