Staff Engineer R&D Process Technology

Staff Engineer R&D Process Technology Job Overview

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Process Technology R&D, the Staff Engineer, Process Technology R&D provides technical leadership for complex process development programs within The Hershey Company’s Research & Development organization. This role applies process engineering and food science expertise to develop scalable process technologies that support innovation, validation, and commercialization across key product platforms.

The primary focus of this position is leading chocolate and process development work across Salty Snacks, Better-for-You, CMG, Sweets & Refreshments, focusing on Baking, Protein, Fiber, and Wafers
. The role leads technical strategy and process development from early research through commercial implementation, ensuring solutions are technically sound, scalable, and aligned with business objectives.

This position also contributes to strategic technical direction within R&D by leading high‑complexity projects with a high degree of autonomy and partnering effectively with cross‑functional teams to advance business priorities.

• Lead complex process development and validation programs across Better-for-You, Salty Snacks, CMG, Sweets & Refreshments platforms.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance new process technologies that support innovation and business growth.
• Provide technical leadership for high‑complexity projects in multitexture and baked product, across multiple platforms (Salty, Sweet, BFY, etc.), including process development and finished product commercialization.
• Drive scale‑up from early development through pilot and commercial implementation.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to deliver commercially viable process solutions aligned with business objectives.
• Transfer technical knowledge, process learnings, and recommendations to Product Development, Commercialization, Operations and Manufacturing teams.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide leadership and direction to technicians supporting development activities.
• Build and maintain external technical networks with suppliers, research institutes, universities and industry experts where appropriate.

BS in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Biological Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field with 8 to 10 years of related experience.

Experience working in or around food processing, snacks, Fiber, Protein, Baking, Tortilla Chips and Wafers is preferred.

• Technical and professional employees within Global R&D including Product Development
• Manufacturing, Operations and Plant Quality Assurance
• Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Sensory
• Legal
• Procurement
• Marketing
• Commercialization Engineering
• External business partners, suppliers, research institutes and universities

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

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