Job Description
Project Engineer – Continuous Improvement (CI) | Automation, Data & MES
The Opportunity
Black Swans Exist is supporting one of the most innovative future food companies on the planet as they scale an industrial production setup.
This is a rare chance to join at the exact moment a new production line is being installed and ramped. You will step into a hands-on engineering role, first focusing on installation & commissioning, then transitioning into a long-term Continuous Improvement (CI) role where you will optimize flow, performance, data capture, and decision-making systems.
The company is building something that is close to “first-in-the-world”: a production environment where the fermentation process rhythm dictates operations, and where the right data foundation can enable predictive process management and eventually self-correcting performance improvements.
Role Summary
As Project Engineer – CI, you will:
- Co-lead installation & start-up of a new production line (commissioning in March).
- Quickly build a deep understanding of the process and the “real factory constraints.”
- Create practical improvements in the production environment—fast.
- Define and implement the right data collection strategy (sensors, logging, structure), enabling future automation and machine-learning initiatives.
- Help shape and implement an execution layer (MES / production management system) to connect operations, data, and decision-making.
- Drive LEAN / CI activities (Kaizen, 5S, structured problem solving), always grounded in what works on the floor.
This is not a desk job. You’ll thrive if you like being close to the machines, the operators, and the reality of production — “dirt under your nails” energy.
Key Responsibilities
1) Line Installation & Commissioning (Immediate priority)
- Support installation, commissioning, ramp-up and stabilization of a new production line (March start).
- Work hands-on with suppliers, technicians, production and maintenance to ensure smooth start-up.
- Translate requirements into practical solutions during commissioning—fast decisions, real-world fixes.
2) Continuous Improvement & Performance Optimization (Post start-up)
- Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, downtime drivers, quality risks and safety improvements.
- Implement improvements that make the flow smarter, safer, and more efficient.
- Build technical routines and operational standards that sustain performance.
3) Data Capture, Automation & MES Foundation
- Define where and how data should be captured (what matters, what doesn’t, what’s missing).
- Implement or coordinate sensor strategy and data collection infrastructure.
- Support PLC/HMI-related improvements and integration (preferred: Siemens S7).
- Help build the functional foundation for MES / production execution (you don’t need to code—this role is about functionality and physical reality: creating the “real picture” that supports business decisions).
- Enable future machine-learning initiatives by ensuring that data is collected correctly, consistently, and meaningfully.
4) Pilot-first mindset (before scaling)
- Support a “test in pilot before scaling” approach.
- Ensure learnings are captured and translated into scalable standards and system improvements.
What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 months)
- The new line is installed, commissioned, stabilized—and producing reliably.
- The most critical production data points are identified and captured in a structured way.
- CI routines are established and improvements are implemented with real impact (OEE, waste reduction, throughput, stability, safety).
- A clear functional direction for MES / execution layer is defined and initiated.
- The organization feels your presence as a pragmatic problem solver who improves reality—not slides.
Required Background & Skills
We expect you to come from a technical production environment such as manufacturing, food, pharma, FMCG, or similar.
You likely have experience as:
- Project Engineer, Production Engineer, Automation Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer, or an experienced Technician with strong engineering instincts.
Must-have / strongly preferred:
- Hands-on experience from production environments (close to machines and operators).
- Strong mechanical/technical understanding—automation knowledge is a plus.
- Comfort with commissioning / start-up phases and working “live” in production.
- Ability to structure problems and drive practical improvements.
- Understanding of CI / LEAN fundamentals (Kaizen, 5S, continuous improvement thinking).
- Interest in data capture, sensors, and production systems.
Nice-to-have (not required):
- PLC knowledge (preferred: Siemens S7).
- Experience with MES / production execution systems.
- Experience with fermentation, bio-processes, or data-heavy production.
- Experience defining data structures for ML readiness (without needing to build models yourself).
Personality Fit
You’ll thrive if you are:
- Pragmatic: you turn uncertainty into workable solutions.
- Curious: you want to understand the process deeply (including fermentation rhythm constraints).
- Collaborative: you work smoothly across production, maintenance, management, and suppliers.
- Hands-on: you like being on the floor and close to the line.
- Improvement-driven: you see potential everywhere and can execute changes.
Practical Details
- Start: ASAP
- Interview process: flexible—this role could also fit a highly capable technician with the right mindset and experience.
How to Apply
Apply via Black Swans Exist. We review applications continuously and will move quickly with relevant profiles due to the March installation timeline.
