Principal R&D Engineer - Ingredient Systems & Particle Engineering

Principal Engineer

Come join a creative team of scientists and engineers at the forefront of beverage innovation. The R&D Process Development Engineering team translates product ideas into robust, scalable, and manufacturable processes that deliver quality, safety, cost, and speed-to-market for Keurig Dr Pepper. This Principal Engineer will strengthen KDP's capability to commercialize powdered beverage, emulsion, and complex ingredient systems through disciplined process technology development, scale-up, plant readiness, and data-driven decision making.

The role leads process technology strategy and scale-up across liquid and dry ingredient systems, with emphasis on particle science, material behavior, process design, and functionality. It translates formulation intent into reliable manufacturing solutions that deliver solubility, dispersibility, flowability, emulsion stability, texture, sensory quality, and shelf-life performance.

This role will build critical R&D capability at the intersection of ingredient science, process engineering, and manufacturing scale-up. The Principal Engineer will help KDP bring more complex beverage systems to market faster, reduce technical risk, strengthen plant readiness, and create reusable technical knowledge that improves first-time-right commercialization across the portfolio.

This is a senior technical leadership role for an engineer who can manage ambiguity, challenge historical thinking, influence cross-functional partners, mentor others, and create practical solution paths that are technically sound, scalable, sustainable, and business-relevant. The Principal Engineer will partner with Product Development, Flavor & Concentrate Development, Quality, Packaging, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, suppliers, co-packers, and external technical partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Particle & Material Science:
  Lead process development and scale-up for powdered beverages, dry mixes, emulsions, and complex ingredient systems from bench through commercialization.
• Liquid & Colloidal Systems:
  Develop robust processing solutions for emulsification, homogenization, stabilizer systems, viscosity control, separation risk, texture, mouthfeel, and shelf-life stability.
• Process Technology & Scale-Up:
  Define process-critical parameters, material attributes, operating windows, design spaces, manufacturing constraints, and commercialization readiness criteria.
• Data-Enabled Technical Leadership:
  Use statistical analysis, historical and plant data, visualization, modeling, simulation, predictive analytics, and AI-enabled tools to improve trial design, troubleshooting, and technical decisions.
• Cross-Functional & External Partnership:
  Collaborate with Procurement, suppliers, flavor houses, ingredient partners, and external experts to assess ingredient-process interactions, alternative materials, productivity opportunities, and technical capability.

Total Rewards:
Salary Range: $96,800 - $145,000 Actual placement within the compensation range may vary depending on experience, skills, and other factors Benefits, subject to election and eligibility:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Paid Time Off (including paid parental leave, vacation, and sick time), 401k with company match, Tuition Reimbursement, and Mileage Reimbursement Annual bonus based on performance and eligibility

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred. Minimum 10+ years of relevant experience in R&D process engineering, process technology, food or beverage processing, technical commercialization, manufacturing engineering, or related CPG technical roles. Demonstrated commercialization experience with powdered beverages, dry mix systems, emulsions, or complex ingredient platforms, including scale-up from bench or pilot through plant production.

Depth in at least one core domain, powder and particle systems or liquid and colloidal systems, with strong working knowledge of the adjacent domain and the ability to integrate ingredient, process, equipment, and product requirements. Experience leading pilot and plant trials, validation, technical risk assessments, capability evaluations, structured troubleshooting, and commercialization readiness decisions. Ability to apply DOE, statistical analysis, data visualization, modeling, or predictive methods to process development and technical decision-making.

Proven ability to manage ambiguity, influence without authority, mentor technical talent, and develop practical, scalable solutions to complex problems. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate technical findings into clear tradeoffs and business implications.

Company Overview:
Keurig Dr Pepper (Nasdaq: KDP) is a leading beverage company with more than 150 owned, licensed and partner brands that meet a wide range of needs and occasions. Our North…