Principal Engineer, Digital Manufacturing Innovation

Position Title: Principal Engineer, Digital Manufacturing Innovation

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Grade: Grade 06

Requisition ID: 42596

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.

About the role.

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

What you'll need to be successful.

• 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

About the team.

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.

About McCain.

Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles.

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.

Benefits: At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with applicable law and can vary by work level, location, and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.

Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.

Job Family: Information Technology

Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace || US - United States of America : Idaho : Burley || US - United States of America : Nebraska : Grand Island || US - United States of America : Washington : Othello || US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Appleton

Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.