Sr. Process Engineer; Cheese & Liquid Systems

Location: Stratford, WI (Central Wisconsin), with Remote available for the right candidate (US-based); 20-30% travel to client sites (roughly $20,000-$30,000 in annual travel-related expense) plus potential international travel 1-2x/year |
Schedule: Full-time |
Compensation: $140-160K base + full benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K w/ match, HSA/FSA, PTO, 10 holidays)

An established sanitary process equipment and systems company serving the dairy and food industries is seeking a Sr. Process Engineer to join its team. The company designs, fabricates, and commissions turnkey processing systems for cheese, beverage, and liquid applications. This role spans the full project lifecycle from conceptual design through commissioning and startup, working closely with sales, automation, project management, mechanical design, and field teams.

This position reports to the Process Engineering Manager.

• Audit customers' existing process lines and develop conceptual designs for cheese and liquid processing systems per customer requirements
• Prepare mass/energy balances, heat transfer calculations (production and CIP), and equipment specifications (pumps, valves, heat exchangers, piping)
• Develop complete P& PFD documentation, process descriptions, and technical documentation for project execution
• Support proposal development with technical input and equipment sizing
• Lead commissioning, startup, and performance verification at customer sites
• Collaborate with project engineers, automation, installation teams, and contractors
• Support regulatory documentation and testing (HTST, system design specs, product quality safeguards)
• Troubleshoot process/equipment issues and perform root cause analysis
• Train operators, maintenance technicians, and customer teams

• BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio-Systems, or Electrical Engineering
• 5+ years in the sanitary dairy process industry (non-negotiable)
• Working knowledge of liquid process system design, including mass/heat transfer calculations, piping flow/pressure, and pump/valve/line sizing
• Familiarity with 3-A, ASME, FDA, and USDA standards
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Currently working in a process engineering role at a dairy equipment OEM, system integrator, dairy co-op, or cheese plant
• Interest in design-heavy, customer-facing project work with variety and travel
• Understanding of cheese and liquid dairy processing specifically, not just general food or pharma experience

• $140-160K base salary
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401K with match
• HSA/FSA
• PTO
• 10 holidays

This position offers design-heavy, customer-facing project work spanning the full lifecycle from concept through startup, with variety, travel, and close collaboration across engineering, automation, and field teams.