Associate Design Engineer - Corporate Engineering

About Hormel Foods — 

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, HORMEL^® NATURAL CHOICE^®, APPLEGATE^®, WHOLLY^®, HORMEL^® BLACK LABEL^®, COLUMBUS^®, JENNIE-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The Company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Job Title:

Associate Design Engineer- Corporate Engineering (Hayward, MN)

Job Purpose: 

The Engineering R&D team at Hormel Foods designs and builds custom food processing equipment for use in Hormel Foods facilities.  This is an entry level position that is accountable for the control and electrical engineering development and execution of such equipment.  The assignments range from new equipment design and development, modifications and updates to current equipment that is operating, and managing the activity of contractors to meet customer needs.  Projects generally support process automation implementation, capacity expansion, obsolescence mitigation, new product initiatives, and support to our plant teams.  This position is intended to be a probational position with the incumbent qualifying into a design engineer within 24 months of starting this position.

Responsibilities:

• Leading a project team that is varied in function and perspective to deliver processes, machines, or system designs that are processing equipment in nature of moderate complexity.  The results must be in alignment with functional, sanitary, ergonomic, cost and maintainability objectives.
• Effectively utilizing machine design software and tools available to make machines function as required per project requirements.
• Leading the efforts to ensure an effective transfer of ownership of projects to the plant customer.  This includes manuals and documentation; training of operations, maintenance, and sanitation personnel; and any other appropriate items the customer will need to fully own and operate the delivered equipment.
• Ensuring that all legal, regulatory, and internal requirements are adhered to during the project development and execution process.
• Documenting the design process in a way that aligns with the requirements of our Legal Department as necessary.
• Leading, training, developing, and supporting the efforts of contract designers, senior programming technicians, engineering technicians; and possibly an entry level salaried engineer.

Required Qualifications:

• Must graduate in December 2026 or May 2027 with Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Agriculture Engineering, or a related field with a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA preferred
• Innovative, have good technical and mechanical knowledge, and possess excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer
• Must be 18 years of age or older (all plant positions)
• Must be open to relocation
• Must be open to working non-traditional work hours (May include 2nd/3rd shifts, weekends, Tuesday through Saturday shifts, rotating shifts, etc) 
• An ABET accredited bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related engineering degree.
• Demonstrated hands-on controls, automation, robotics, or programming experience through one or more of the following:
  • FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), VEX, or similar robotics programs.
  • Senior design or capstone engineering projects where the candidate led control system development.
  • Personal projects involving Arduino, Raspberry Pi, microcontrollers, sensors, motors, or industrial communication protocols.
• Ability to lead a diverse team environment using generally accepted project management best practices.
• A strong pattern of initiative, innovation, and creativity.
• Demonstrated team leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and balance many tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and begin Engineer in Training status within 6 months.
• Ability to attain a Professional Engineers license in the State of Minnesota within 5 years.

Preferred

• Passed Fundamentals of Engineering exam and Engineer in Training status.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer and/or FactoryTalk View ME gained through internship, co-op, or academic experience.
• Familiarity with CAD software used for electrical and controls design. Experience with AutoCAD Electrical is preferred; equivalent experience with other electrical CAD packages is acceptable.

Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas. 

Hours:

This is a full-time salaried position.

Locations:

This is an on-site position based in Hayward MN. 

Training:

• Spend up to six weeks in a hands-on training environment before being assigned to a department
• The training program consists of shadowing experienced Maintenance Engineers and training in Environmental and Regulatory Compliance, Economic Value Added (EVA), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
• Maintenance Engineers attend entrprise and plant orientation sessions that will include presentations by different divisions to increase product knowledge, company knowledge, and leadership skills

Advancement:

• Maintenance Engineering is often the stepping stone to corporate engineering, project engineering, design engineering, or plant management. Corporate engineers do mostly project and design work.
• Additional opportunities may exist in different departments, facilities, or subsidiaries.
• Hormel Foods' "promote-from-within" philosophy rewards outstanding performance.

Compensation/Benefits:

• Competitive range from (70,900-99,275 annually)
• Reimbursement for approved business-related expenses 
• Paid time off (PTO) accrual
• Hands-on experience with a Fortune 500 company 
• Professional development opportunities and networking experiences 
• Potential consideration for future internships, co-ops, or full-time employment opportunities
• Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more. 

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects.  We offer a space of support, understanding, and community.  We are committed to the journey!  Learn more about our progress here: Inclusion and Belonging - About - Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.

Pay Ranges: $70,900-$99,275