Engineering Management Trainee

Summary

Perdue Farms is a family-owned food and agricultural business focused on premium proteins and operational excellence. The Engineering Management Trainee will complete a 24-month leadership development program involving rotational plant operations, engineering, project management, and capital project assignments. The role supports engineering projects, continuous improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and preparation for an engineering leadership position.

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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

Skills

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

Qualifications

Must Haves

• * 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
• * 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
• * 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

Nice to Haves

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

Benefits

• Up to two (2) Regional Pathways Training events, including leadership development, networking opportunities, company tours, community service initiatives, social events, and direct interaction with senior leaders.
• Transition bonus for eligible participants.
• 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.
• Advanced engineering and leadership development, personalized career mapping, enhanced learning opportunities, cohort learning, and dedicated mentorship during the second year.