Contract Project Engineer — Facility Shutdown & Decommissioning Support

Location: Kansas City area (Overland Park & Lakeview sites)
Assignment Type: Contract Engagement

Overview

The site is progressing through a full facility closure driven by declining product demand. Five buildings are being decommissioned across two Kansas City-area locations (three in Overland Park, two in Lakeview). This role provides direct, hands-on support to the site’s Engineering Director throughout the shutdown and into the start of physical decommissioning.

This is not a standalone technical SME role. Specialized decommissioning and equipment work is performed by third-party vendors; this engineer acts as the Director’s right hand — supporting vendor coordination, verifying safety compliance, and providing a consistent, reliable onsite presence as the internal team shrinks through the closure.

Key Responsibilities

• Site & Shutdown Support: Serve as the Engineering Director’s primary onsite support across both locations, maintaining shutdown momentum and safety standards as internal headcount transitions out.
• Vendor Coordination: Provide day-to-day liaison with vendors performing HVAC, electrical, and utility shutdown work — requesting quotes, acting as PO requester (Director as approver), and following up on invoices.
• LOTO & Safety Oversight: Review vendor lockout/tagout procedures and equipment isolations, flag concerns, and escalate to Elanco’s HSE team as needed; may accompany a vendor onsite to co-verify an energy source before a lockout is performed.
• SAP / Asset Documentation: Support the SAP decommissioning workflow at a general-use level — retiring equipment records and closing out PM schedules alongside the Director.
• Hands-On Floor Presence: Be physically present and engaged on the floor — comfortable with variable, hands-on tasks (equipment prep, logistics support, and anything that keeps the project moving, not just desk-based oversight).
• Communication: Participate in daily team huddles and maintain active, real-time communication via Teams/chat with a small, closely connected site team.

Contractor Requirements

Essential:

• 3–5 years of facility, maintenance, or mechanical/electrical engineering experience (mid-to-senior level; will consider strong 3-year candidates).
• Comfortable being hands-on and physically present on the shop floor — this is not a back-office role.
• Working knowledge of lockout/tagout (LOTO) principles sufficient to evaluate vendor procedures and identify safety concerns. Formal certification not required; client-specific LOTO procedures are trained onsite.
• Demonstrated ability to manage or coordinate multiple third-party vendors simultaneously.
• Strong team orientation, adaptability, and resilience — pace varies day to day and the role requires flexibility to support whatever the project needs.

Preferred:

• Experience in pharmaceutical, GMP, oil & gas, or other regulated-industry shutdown/decommissioning environments (a plus, not required).
• General familiarity with SAP for maintenance and asset lifecycle management.
• Exposure to GMP-compliant documentation practices.