Pilot Plant Engineer

Pilot Plant Engineer

Position Summary:

The Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center (FoodPIC) Pilot Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for pilot-scale food processing systems, facility operations, and applied process design. This position integrates engineering expertise with applied research leadership to support client‑based product and process development, designing, optimizing, and executing food processing workflows that translate scientific concepts into scalable manufacturing solutions. The role provides technical authority over equipment systems, utilities, and facility operations while remaining actively engaged in hands‑on operation of pilot‑scale processing and analytical equipment.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 2 years of professional experience.

• Master’s degree in Food Science & Technology, Food Engineering or similar.
• At least three years of experience in food product and/or food process development.

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for all pilot plant equipment, systems, and facility infrastructure.
• Ensure proper development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operating procedures and training protocols.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management, including coordination of repairs, preventive maintenance, and installation of new systems.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director to design and implement effective sanitation, cleaning, and hygienic process systems that align with food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee utility systems—including boiler, steam, compressed air, chilled water, and HVAC—in coordination with UGA facilities to ensure reliable and safe plant operations.

• Lead applied product and process development projects from initial concept through execution and reporting.
• Coordinate and collaborate with faculty, extension specialists, technical staff, students, and industry clients to achieve project objectives.
• Provide technical guidance on process feasibility, scale‑up considerations, and equipment capabilities.

• Actively set up, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot pilot‑scale food processing and laboratory equipment during client and research trials.
• Lead and participate in production runs, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and experimental protocols.
• Perform equipment adjustments, minor repairs, cleaning, and sanitation as needed.
• Support other project leaders by assisting with plant trials and ensuring efficient workflow and resource utilization.

• Identify and advance opportunities to enhance FoodPIC’s technical capabilities, equipment portfolio, facility infrastructure, and service offerings.
• Evaluate emerging processing technologies, instrumentation, and manufacturing approaches to strengthen applied research and commercialization outcomes.
• Contribute technical expertise to grant proposals, capital equipment planning, and long‑term facility development strategies.
• Recommend process improvements and workflow efficiencies that enhance safety, quality, client satisfaction, and operational sustainability.

• Expertise in food engineering principles and food processing systems, including heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid flow, mixing, thermal and non‑thermal processing, and scale‑up methodology.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food chemistry, food microbiology, ingredient functionality, and food analysis techniques.
• Hands‑on competency in operating, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting pilot‑scale food processing and analytical equipment, and ability to develop SOPs and training protocols.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing systems, facility utilities, sanitation design, and hygienic equipment principles.
• Proven applied research and development skills, including experimental design, statistical analysis, test planning, process optimization, data interpretation, and technical reports.
• Effective project management skills, including planning, coordination of multidisciplinary…