Principal Engineer, Digital Manufacturing Innovation

McCain Foods
Oakbrook Terrace, IL, United States
25 days ago
Apply on www.agcareers.com
Prepare application

Role details

Contract type
Permanent contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Experience level
Expert
Experience required
5 years minimum
Compensation
$111,700.0 - $149,000.0
Working hours
Regular working hours

Tech stack

Artificial Intelligence Data Analysis Data Architecture Data Governance Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Python (Programming Language) Machine Learning Power BI SQL Databases Tableau (Software) Digital Twin Cloud Platform System
+3 more
Information Technology Data Analytics Industrial Software

Job description

The Principal Engineer, Manufacturing Insights, is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving McCain’s global digital manufacturing transformation. This role leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of advanced analytics and AI-driven solutions to enable intelligent, connected manufacturing across a global network of production facilities. Acting as both a technical authority and strategic advisor, this position shapes how data and technology improve operational efficiency, quality, and productivity.

What you’ll be doing.

  • Define and execute a global manufacturing analytics and digital transformation roadmap
  • Lead large-scale initiatives leveraging AI, IoT, and cloud-based platforms
  • Architect scalable analytics solutions integrating MES, SCADA, PLCs, and cloud systems
  • Develop AI/ML models for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and process optimization
  • Drive improvements in OEE, production efficiency, and product quality outcomes
  • Establish and enforce data governance and standardization frameworks
  • Partner with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, and IT
  • Present data-driven insights and ROI-based recommendations to senior leadership
  • Identify and scale Industry 4.0 technologies, including digital twins, smart sensors, and automation
  • Lead organizational change initiatives and build digital capabilities across the business, You will join McCain’s Manufacturing Digital team, working closely with global manufacturing operations, supply chain, and technology partners. This team is focused on building next-generation digital capabilities that enable intelligent, data-driven manufacturing and support McCain’s broader digital transformation strategy.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field
  • 15+ years of experience in manufacturing analytics, digital transformation, or industrial automation
  • 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role
  • Deep expertise in industrial systems such as MES, SCADA, and PLCs, as well as cloud-based data platforms
  • Strong background in AI/ML, predictive analytics, and data architecture
  • Proficiency with tools such as Python, SQL, Power BI, and Tableau
  • Demonstrated success leading enterprise-scale transformation initiatives
  • Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
  • Proven ability to quantify and deliver measurable business value
  • Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or related disciplines are considered an asset

Benefits & conditions

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

The McCain experience. We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

Compensation Package: $111,700.00 - $149,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility

The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

About the company

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

Apply for this position

This job is hosted externally. Click below to view the full posting and apply.

Apply on www.agcareers.com
Prepare application

Good distractions

Talks and stories from around this role — technically off-topic, practically not.

3:03 min

Career evolution in data engineering and AI platforms

Maria Apazoglou · Coffee With Developers

1:48 min

Automating exploratory data analysis within training pipelines

Dora Petrella · World Congress 2023

1:21 min

Building a digital twin to understand generative AI

Kai Mueller Kai Mueller +1 · World Congress 2024

1:24 min

Moving the semantic layer upstream to avoid vendor lock-in

Piotr Menclewicz Piotr Menclewicz · Europe 2026 Virtual

1:08 min

Challenges of deploying software in brownfield manufacturing environments

Freya Menzel Freya Menzel +1 · Europe 2026 Virtual

1:36 min

Performing exploratory data analysis to uncover underlying patterns

Julian Joseph · LIVE

Videos

See all

Related articles

See all