TEMP_NEO_Research Engineer

Research Engineer

We are seeking an early-career Research Engineer to support process development and manufacturing innovation for a leading organization in the food and snack industry. This hands-on role focuses on improving product quality, scaling new products, and optimizing manufacturing processes across a variety of snack platforms including popcorn, baked goods, and extruded products. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Development, Engineering, Operations, and Quality to run trials, analyze data, and translate findings into actionable process improvements.

Responsibilities:

• Support development, optimization, and validation of snack manufacturing processes across pilot and production environments
• Execute plant trials for new products, process improvements, and equipment modifications
• Collect, analyze, and interpret process and production data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Operate and troubleshoot lab, pilot plant, and factory equipment
• Assist in scaling products from concept to full production
• Apply structured problem-solving methods to address process challenges such as texture, moisture, oil management, and consistency
• Prepare technical documentation including reports, SOPs, and trial summaries
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align product design with manufacturing capabilities
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, productivity, and efficiency

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field
• 0-2 years of relevant experience (internships, co-ops, or research projects accepted)
• Basic understanding of food processing, manufacturing, or engineering principles
• Familiarity with laboratory, pilot plant, or industrial equipment
• Knowledge of food safety practices, GMPs, or process experimentation fundamentals
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and basic data analysis tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, hands-on environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to food manufacturing, especially snacks, baked goods, or extrusion processes
• Experience with DOE (Design of Experiments) or statistical analysis
• Hands-on equipment troubleshooting experience
• Familiarity with pilot plants or production-scale environments

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work onsite in plant, lab, and pilot environments
• Comfortable working around heat, machinery, oil systems, and noise
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs
• Willingness to travel 20-50% depending on project needs