Principal Engineer, R&D - E2E Complex Processing Project Delivery

Job Description

As a Principal Engineer on the End-to-End (E2E) Complex Projects team, you will serve as a deep technical processing expert responsible for hands-on execution of complex, high-impact processing projects from concept through commercialization. You will own the technical delivery of assigned initiatives, partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders to translate processing concepts into manufacturable, Right-First-Time solutions. This role prioritizes technical rigor, executional excellence, and applied engineering expertise over portfolio strategy or people management.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end technical delivery across assigned complex processing projects, including technical briefing, concept development, technical design, learning plans, pilot runs, capital design, and commercialization handover to Operations/Supply Chain.

• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation including Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flow sheets, and Process Design Scopes, ensuring processing parameters meet defined quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance requirements.

• Apply processing commercialization tools (CQV, FMEA, CPRA) to systematically identify and mitigate technical risks, drive design decisions, and ensure Right-First-Time launch readiness.

• Partner with Platform R&D, GDI R&D, Packaging R&D, Quality, Operations, and external suppliers to define processing requirements and success criteria, resolve technical trade-offs, and maintain project timelines and milestones.

• Lead and support pilot line trials and scale-up activities, translating learnings into robust commercial processing solutions.

• Contribute to STAR and Tech Review Board processes, preparing and presenting technical content that clearly communicates design rationale, risk status, and commercialization readiness.

• Maintain compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements throughout project execution.

• Support cost optimization and value engineering efforts that improve margin, sustainability, and reinvestment priorities.

• Serve as an informal technical mentor to junior processing engineers on the team, sharing applied expertise and supporting capability development.

Key Outputs & Deliverables

• Deliver successful technical execution across concurrent complex processing projects within innovation and platform portfolios, meeting committed timelines, budgets, and technical performance targets.

• Achieve and sustain >95% Right-First-Time (RTF) launches across assigned projects, ensuring processing solutions meet manufacturability, quality, regulatory, and supply chain readiness criteria at first commercial production.

• Produce high-quality processing technical deliverables - including Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flow sheets, Process Design Scopes, FMEAs, and CQV documentation - that meet enterprise engineering standards.

• Generate clear, data-driven technical recommendations and risk assessments that enable informed go/no-go decisions at governance milestones.

• Contribute to team capability by sharing technical learnings, best practices, and processing expertise across the broader E2E projects organization.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Food Engineering or related discipline required; advanced degree (MS / PhD) preferred.

• 4 - 6+ years of experience in R&D or Engineering roles within consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or a similar industry.

• Demonstrated experience in emulsions / shear processing, fermentation, extrusion, thermal processing & validation, aeration, drying, or powder mixing preferred.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience executing end-to-end processing development projects, including pilot trials and scale-up to industrial production.

• Strong applied knowledge of processing commercialization tools including CQV, FMEA, CPRA, Process Design Scopes, and Transformation Flow sheets.

• Solid project management skills, with experience maintaining detailed project plans, schedules, and risk logs on multi-stakeholder initiatives.

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