Engineering Management Trainee

Location: Accomac, VA, US

Engineering Management Trainee

Date

Sep 25, 2026

Location

Accomac, VA, US, 23301

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Req ID

81495

Job Function

College Recruitment (Interns/OMTS/LMTS)

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Are you ready to launch your career as a future engineering leader at Perdue? As part of our Engineering Management Trainee (Pathways) Program, beginning in June 2027, you’ll embark on a 24-month leadership development journey designed to prepare the next generation of engineering leaders. Through hands-on learning, meaningful projects, structured rotations, mentorship, and leadership development, you’ll gain real-world experience in plant operations, engineering work processes, project management, and capital project execution while building the technical and leadership skills needed to make a lasting impact. During your first year, you’ll explore key engineering, operational, and support areas and develop a strong foundation in engineering practices, project execution, and plant operations before transitioning into an engineering leadership assignment. Your second year will accelerate your growth through personalized development, mentorship, cohort learning, meaningful project work, and advanced technical experiences designed to prepare you for long-term success. This program is ideal for motivated, curious, and driven individuals who are eager to learn, take on meaningful challenges, and build a rewarding career helping drive innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement at Perdue.

Benefits

Participate in up to two (2) Regional Pathways Training events alongside fellow participants from across the organization. These experiences include leadership development, networking opportunities, company tours, community service initiatives, social events, and direct interaction with senior leaders.

Competitive hourly pay during EMT I, with transition to a salaried, exempt position upon successful progression to EMT II at approximately six months, and an additional scheduled pay progression at 12 months.

Comprehensive benefits package, including a transition bonus and relocation assistance for eligible participants.

Opportunity to advance into an Associate Plant Engineer or comparable engineering assignment upon successful completion of the first 12 months of the Pathways Program, based on business need and demonstrated readiness.

During your second year, you’ll continue accelerating your career through advanced engineering and leadership development, personalized career mapping, enhanced learning opportunities, cohort learning, and dedicated mentorship.

The salary range for this position is $78,000 - $84,400 per year with scheduled increases at the sixth and twelfth months of employment.

In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Schedule: Department and shift assignments will vary throughout the rotational program and will be determined based on the participant’s assigned rotation and business needs. Specific schedules will be communicated prior to each rotation.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

EMT I 0-6 months

Participate in structured rotations across key operational, support, and engineering areas to build an end-to-end understanding of plant operations, production systems, engineering work processes, interdepartmental communication, and the connection between engineering decisions and business results.

Learn and apply Perdue’s expectations for associate safety, food safety, quality, environmental compliance, engineering standards, and operational requirements while working alongside experienced engineers, project managers, maintenance leaders, operations leaders, and frontline associates.

Develop working knowledge of project management, technical engineering, capital project execution, engineering work processes, facility infrastructure, equipment and production systems, and project documentation through hands-on learning and observation.

Support daily engineering and operational activities under the direction of experienced leaders, gaining exposure to project meetings, equipment layouts, technical documentation, project schedules, cost considerations, field activities, and issue escalation.

Build relationships with frontline associates and cross-functional partners while demonstrating teamwork, integrity, respect, accountability, and a willingness to learn.

Use operational, project, and equipment data and observations to identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to assigned projects that support safety, quality, reliability, cost, capacity, energy, or operational performance.

Participate in Pathways learning, mentoring, business tours, leadership development sessions, and cohort activities to