Project Engineer

Location: Eldorado, TX; Austin, TX

Department: Engineering

How you will contribute:

Own the end-to-end delivery of Plantible’s capacity-expansion and tech-transfer projects—from greenhouse blocks, irrigation/water, and site/civil to downstream processing lines and utilities. As the owner’s engineer, you’ll turn scope into drawings, contracts, and execution plans; lead EPCs/GCs/OEMs and internal teams; and control schedule, cost, quality, safety from FEL through start-up. Near-term, you’ll expand our Eldorado, TX facility; longer-term, you’ll standardize and replicate a buildable module for future U.S. and international sites.

What you will be working on:

• Deliver projects from FEL through start-up: FEL-1/2/3, detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, performance validation, and handover.
• Executing design, specification, and construction management of manufacturing modules, including existing production facility upgrades
• Developing preliminary, and eventually honing, budgetary estimates and schedules for active and prospective projects
• Engaging and maintaining relationships with major equipment suppliers to optimize facility design
• Acting as the primary technical lead during negotiations of major surface facility equipment supply contracts
• Collaborating across technical and commercial teams to successfully deliver projects on time and on budget
• Identifying continuous improvement opportunities and executing ongoing continuous improvement measures
• Provide solutions and optimization support to operations to resolve day-to-day operational issues
• Develop projects and engineering design that improve the safety and operability of the modules.
• Lead MOC process for all activities that are directly supported including coordination with all support functions, submission of MOC, updating appropriate documents and completion of Pre-Start Up Safety Reviews (PSSR)
• Provide creative project options to meet critical timelines or capital requirements
• Support Project Teams and Operations in the commissioning and start-up of new/modified facilities
• Act as key interface to ensure regulatory and HSE compliance

What you bring to Plantible:

• BS+ in Mechanical, Chemical, Agricultural, Civil, Industrial, or related engineering
• 5–10+ years delivering industrial/infra capital projects (bioprocess, chemicals, energy, food & beverage, CEA/greenhouses, aquaculture). Full lifecycle (design → construction → start-up) required.
• Upstream & downstream literacy:
• Cultivation/CEA: greenhouse structures, environmental controls, fertigation/irrigation, drainage/site works, I&C/SCADA.
• Processing: pumps/tanks, heat exchange, MF/UF/RO, CIP, dryers, utilities (steam, air, chilled water, power), packaging.
• Project delivery toolkit: Bid events/RFQs, supplier selection/negotiation, contractor oversight; strong scheduling/cost/change management. (Experience leveraging third-party engineering & construction firms is a plus.)
• Standards & safety: PHA/HAZOP/LOTO, MOC/PSSR, awareness of structural/wind for ag structures; familiarity with relevant codes (ASME/API/NFPA/ISA-style) helpful.
• Communication: Sharp written/verbal updates, decisive logs, and cross-functional alignment.
• Bias to action: Hands-on field orientation for troubleshooting, commissioning, and operator training—comfortable managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Nice to have: PMP/PE/CM; CEA/hydroponics/ag civil experience; water reuse/stormwater design; modular replication; Spanish proficiency.

Choose Plantible Foods

Joining Plantible means contributing to a sustainable future for all. We are a venture backed startup that is both spreading happiness amongst our employees and to current and future generations. We believe diversity creates uniqueness. Our team is composed of highly talented people with different interests and hobbies, which makes for a rich working environment.

At Plantible we are continually working on our offerings to foster the best team. Check it out!

• Competitive health and wellness benefits
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Discretionary Unlimited PTO Program
• Paid Holidays
• 401k Program
• Career Stipend
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Working in a rapidly growing, flexible and entrepreneurial environment
• Team building and company-wide events
• Financial support with your relocation, if necessary, ensuring a smooth transition
• And of course, lots of beautiful land for outdoor activities!

Plantible Foods is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, liability for military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. Plantible Foods reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time. 

This job can be local or based at our Texas hub in Austin. Plantible’s commercial production facility in Eldorado, Texas, is approximately 3 hours of travel from the hub and regular travel is required. The candidate is expected to be on-site when engineering support is needed to work with the operations teams, construction team, and contractors. Responsibilities include designing, improving, and installing equipment and engineering solutions to enhance the performance and robustness of our commercial facility.

If you feel your skill set does not meet all listed qualifications for the role, we still encourage you to apply. As we continue to grow our company, we are seeking a range of candidates and would gladly consider you for other current or upcoming roles that may be a fit!

About the Company

We are a Biology Company

Plantible, backed by Astanor Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, Piva Capital, Chipotle and Vectr Ventures, is a vertically integrated biology company that is unlocking the power in plants in service of people & planet. Our mission is to create solutions that empower customers to make sustainable and regenerative choices without compromising on quality. We are beginning with the food industry. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and continued success: https://www.plantiblefoods.com/