The Director of Engineering Compliance is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring that all engineering activities, designs, and installations across food and beverage manufacturing facilities strictly adhere to FDA, USDA, 3-A Sanitary Standards, and other relevant regulatory and industry standards. This role drives compliance excellence through rigorous oversight, cross-functional collaboration, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement of engineering practices to support food safety, product quality, and operational reliability.
Key Responsibilities:
Regulatory Compliance Leadership
Lead and oversee all engineering compliance efforts ensuring adherence to FDA, USDA, FSMA, 3-A Sanitary Standards, ASME codes, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
Develop, implement, and maintain engineering compliance policies, procedures, and audit protocols across all manufacturing sites.
Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory inspections and third-party audits related to engineering compliance.
Engineering Compliance Strategy & Governance
Define the engineering compliance roadmap aligned with corporate food safety, quality, and sustainability goals.
Establish governance structures to monitor compliance risks and drive timely corrective and preventive actions.
Partner with Quality Assurance, EHS, and Operations leadership to integrate engineering compliance into broader food safety and operational excellence programs.
Technical Oversight & Risk Management
Review and approve mechanical designs, process equipment specifications, and utility systems for compliance with food-grade sanitary design principles and safety regulations.
Conduct compliance risk assessments on capital projects, equipment modifications, and engineering change controls.
Champion engineering risk mitigation strategies to prevent non-compliance and operational disruptions.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead a team of compliance engineers and technical specialists focused on regulatory adherence and continuous improvement.
Provide training, mentorship, and development to embed compliance culture and technical competency within engineering teams.
Facilitate cross-functional workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions to reinforce compliance best practices.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
Drive initiatives that leverage technology and engineering innovations to enhance compliance monitoring, documentation, and reporting.
Evaluate emerging regulatory trends and proactively adjust compliance strategies.
Standardize engineering specifications and documentation to ensure consistency and traceability.
Vendor & Stakeholder Management
Collaborate with equipment suppliers, fabricators, and automation vendors to ensure supplied systems meet regulatory and sanitary requirements.
Support contract and vendor audits related to engineering compliance aspects.
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline required
Master’s degree or advanced certification in Regulatory Compliance, Food Safety, or Engineering Management preferred
Certifications:
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Six Sigma, or PMP certification is a plus
Experience:
12+ years of engineering experience within food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or CPG manufacturing environments
5+ years in a compliance leadership role with direct responsibility for FDA, USDA, and 3-A Sanitary Standards adherence
Proven experience managing engineering compliance programs during capital projects and routine operations
Technical Skills:
Deep knowledge of FDA, USDA, FSMA, 3-A Sanitary Standards, ASME codes, GMP, and HACCP requirements
Expertise in sanitary mechanical system design, process line compliance, and utility system regulatory requirements
Proficient with engineering documentation, CAD systems, P&IDs, and compliance audit tools
Leadership & Soft Skills:
Strong executive communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive enterprise-wide compliance culture
Strategic thinker with exceptional problem-solving and risk management capabilities
Effective mentor and team builder fostering high performance and accountability