Process Engineer

Job Title:

Process Engineer

Job Description

The Process Engineer designs and lays out fluid process systems ranging from individual equipment, such as CIP skids, to complete production lines and full plants within the food and beverage industry. This role supports projects from initial concept through process design, equipment sizing and specification, procurement, installation, and start-up and commissioning. The Process Engineer collaborates closely with internal teams, contractors, consultants, vendors, and clients to ensure technically sound, efficient, and compliant process solutions that meet project objectives and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

* Design and lay out fluid process systems for food and beverage applications, including single pieces of equipment, individual lines, and complete plant processes.

* Develop process designs for batching, processing, packaging, CIP/COP, pasteurization, filtration, and heat exchange systems.

* Design and size steam, condensate, glycol, tower water, and city water systems, including calculation of cooling and heating loads.

* Select and specify appropriate pumps, valves, and associated components for each application, with a strong focus on fluid and food movement, including mix-proof valve clusters where applicable.

* Apply a solid understanding of instrumentation and controls to ensure accurate measurement, monitoring, and control of process systems.

* Develop detailed mass balances to support process design and validation.

* Create and maintain process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), utility and equipment matrices, project timelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and performance specifications for process equipment.

* Prepare and manage Requests for Quotation (RFQs) for process equipment and services, supporting capital project budgeting and vendor selection.

* Identify process improvement opportunities, analyze root causes, and implement action plans to enhance efficiency, reliability, and product quality.

* Collaborate and negotiate with equipment vendors to evaluate technical solutions, obtain proposals, and ensure equipment meets design and regulatory requirements.

* Work within established engineering policies and procedures to deliver high-quality service and solutions to customers.

* Travel to customer facilities to gather project information, conduct site assessments, maintain client relationships, and respond to customer needs throughout the project lifecycle.

* Requisition or purchase essential parts, materials, and equipment required for project execution.

* Manage or directly supervise field personnel performing work at customer plants, ensuring safety, quality, and adherence to project specifications and schedules.

* Support capital projects from quoting and procurement through installation, commissioning, and handover to operations.

* Coordinate with internal mechanical, structural, electrical, fabrication, installation, and project management teams to ensure integrated, multi-disciplinary project delivery.

* Consult with clients on plant issues such as piping problems, efficiency challenges, and line layout constraints, and provide engineered, quoted solutions and project coordination as needed.

Essential Skills

* Approximately 8 or more years of experience in process engineering, with a strong background in fluid processing.

* Experience in regulated food and beverage environments, preferably dairy or pasteurization processes.

* Proficiency in designing systems involving batching, processing, packaging, CIP/COP, pasteurization, filtration, and heat exchangers.

* Ability to design steam, condensate, glycol, tower water, and city water systems, including calculation and evaluation of heating and cooling loads.

* Strong understanding of fluid and food movement, including pump and valve selection and system design for sanitary applications.

* Experience with thermal dynamics and heat transfer, including designing and engineering heating and cooling systems and related process equipment.

* Hands-on experience with 2D AutoCAD for plant layouts and P&IDs, including isometric drawings.

* 3D modeling experience for P&IDs and process layouts, preferably using Plant 3D or similar tools.

* Demonstrated capital project experience, including quoting, procurement, installation, and commissioning of equipment.

* Knowledge of USDA and FDA regulatory requirements and guidelines relevant to food and beverage processing.

* Familiarity with Dairy 3A standards and related sanitary design guidelines.

* Ability to develop mass balances, PFDs, P&IDs, utility and equipment matrices, timelines, SOPs, and performance specifications.

* Experience preparing Requests for Quotation (RFQs) and working with equipment vendors.

* Strong project management capabilities, including planning, coordination, and follow-through across multiple stakeholders.

* Proficiency with internet tools and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Project, and…