Principal Mechanical Engineer

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Westchester, IL; Indianapolis, IN; North Kansas City, MO

Workplace type: Hybrid

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will serve as a global Subject Matter Expert in mechanical engineering for utilities and process equipment, providing technical leadership, design support, troubleshooting, and project oversight across multiple Ingredion facilities to drive manufacturing, safety, reliability, quality, and cost efficiency.

This role reports to the Director of Global Process Engineering, Utilities

What you will do: 

• Delivers mechanical engineering expertise across multiple Ingredion facilities, including system design, equipment specification, troubleshooting, optimization, and engineering studies to support safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations.
• Apply deep technical knowledge in areas such as bulk solids handling, rotating equipment, utilities (boilers, compressors, cogeneration), and mechanical systems design, ensuring compliance with codes, standards, and best practices.
• Evaluates and scopes projects to ensure optimal technology selection, accurate budgeting, and alignment with business goals, while reviewing designs for safety and operational excellence.
• Leads cross-functional teams to solve complex mechanical challenges, implement sustainable solutions, and drive continuous improvement across sites.
• Drives standardization and knowledge sharing by authoring engineering standards, contributing to knowledge management systems, and promoting best practices globally.
• Supports operational governance by applying IPS standards, leading deviation treatments, and developing Best Operating Practices (BOPs) with training and adherence tracking.
• Mentors early-career engineers and documents success cases and lessons learned to build organizational capability and enhance performance across key KPIs.

What you will bring: 

• Bachelors or masters degree in mechanical engineering or related field with equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in Mechanical engineering and plant manufacturing required.  Experience with multi-site, regional, or global experience preferred.

Who you are: 

• Applies deep industry expertise and resourcefulness to deliver critical business objectives and address complex technical requirements across regions.
• Collaborates effectively within multi-disciplinary teams and drives global knowledge-sharing to enhance services and innovation across the Ingredion network.
• Champions talent development by mentoring and training early-career process engineers to build future technical leadership.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being
• Flexible Work Arrangements – We value flexibility to support you both professionally and personally
• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally
• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel

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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.

Relocation Available:

Pay Range:

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.