Research Engineer

Research Engineer – Process Development (Contract)

The Research Engineer Contractor, Process Development, plays a hands-on role in developing, optimizing, and scaling manufacturing processes for a wide range of food and consumer products, including baked, extruded, fried, and other processed systems. This role mirrors many responsibilities of a Process Development Engineer but at a Research Engineer level, assisting with higher-complexity projects, leading defined work streams within broader programs, and independently driving lower-complexity assignments with guidance.

The Research Engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to execute pilot plant and manufacturing trials, analyze process data, document findings, and translate insights into practical recommendations that support commercialization, process optimization, and capability growth.

Responsibilities

• Support hands-on process development and optimization across multiple food and consumer product manufacturing platforms, including baked, extruded, fried, and other processed product systems.
• Assist on higher-complexity process development projects while leading defined work streams within larger programs under the guidance of engineering staff.
• Independently drive low-complexity process development and improvement assignments, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
• Plan, set up, and execute pilot plant trials and manufacturing trials to evaluate new processes, products, and equipment configurations.
• Operate pilot plant and factory equipment safely and effectively during trials, including start-up, changeovers, and shutdowns.
• Collect, organize, and analyze process performance data from pilot and manufacturing trials to identify trends, variability, and improvement opportunities.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis techniques to optimize process parameters and validate process changes.
• Perform root cause analysis and technical problem solving to address process deviations, equipment issues, and quality concerns.
• Support process scale-up and commercialization activities by translating pilot plant learnings into robust manufacturing processes.
• Conduct process capability assessments to evaluate performance, stability, and consistency of manufacturing operations.
• Contribute to manufacturing process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, yield, and product quality.
• Support equipment startup, validation, and troubleshooting efforts for pilot and production equipment.
• Evaluate ingredients, processes, and product attributes to ensure alignment with performance, quality, and safety requirements.
• Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), process guides, and technical documentation that clearly describe process steps and best practices.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation that summarize trial objectives, methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, and external partners to plan and execute trials and projects.
• Provide technical support to plant trials and factory operations, including on-site presence during key manufacturing runs.
• Ensure awareness of and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety practices during all development and trial activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and capability enhancement.
• Apply knowledge of moisture control, thermal processing, airflow systems, and process controls to improve product and process performance.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and project discussions, communicating technical findings and recommendations clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Use statistical software, such as Minitab when available, to perform data analysis, process capability studies, and DOE evaluations.
• Engage with suppliers and external manufacturing partners as needed to support trials, commercialization, and process troubleshooting.
• Contribute to new product development efforts by providing process input and supporting…