Sr. Process Engineer- Liquid and Cheese

Reports To: Cheese Group Process Engineering Manager

Location: Stratford, WI or Willmar, MN (Onsite/Hybrid/Remote)

Status: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation: $111,621-$151,017

This position will apply engineering principles to design, analyze, optimize, and support industrial food and dairy processing systems. The role supports liquid and cheese projects from conceptual design through commissioning and startup, working closely with customers, regulation authorities, sales, project management, mechanical design, automation, manufacturing, and field teams.

• Audit and process reviews of customers’ existing process lines
• Collaborate on conceptual design of cheese process according to customer requirements
• Interpretation and advising on customer information and the influence of these input parameters on engineered solutions (ex. product rates, utilities available, product mix)
• Support proposal development with technical input, equipment sizing estimations, high level process flow diagrams (PFDs), process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
• Assist sales team with on-site and remote customer meetings for equipment and solutions presentations and discussions
• Review proposals prior to delivery to customers

• Prepare detailed calculations for mass and energy balances, heat transfer for both production and CIP
• Collaborate with other engineers and equipment vendors to specify process equipment such as pumps, valves, heat exchangers, piping systems
• Prepare technical documentation including complete P&IDs, process descriptions, and specifications for use in project execution
• Prepare components lists for procurement

• Support fabrication reviews, automation reviews, and factory acceptance testing (FAT)
• Collaborate with project engineers, automation engineers, installation technicians, and contractors to ensure installation meets design specifications
• Assist with plant teams and governing regulators to assemble required documentation and complete testing (HTST timing, system design specs, product quality safeguards, personnel safety)
• Lead commissioning, startup, and performance verification at customer sites
• Troubleshoot process and equipment performance issues
• Assist with training for operators, maintenance technicians, and customer technical teams
• Maintain lessons‑learned to apply to future projects

• Analyze operational data to improve efficiency, reliability, and product quality
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions
• Support standardization and best engineering practices

• Assist after‑sales team and customers with inquiries, issues, warranties, upgrades as needed
• On request, give technological support and advice to coworkers in the organization and/or customer’s organization
• Attend relevant continuing education classes (i.e. CDR classes, equipment training)
• Attend industry events (e.g. Cheese Con, WCMA events)
• Other projects as assigned by supervisor

• Anticipate 20-30% travel required, including client site visits during pre‑sales, project kick‑off, occasional visit during installation as needed, commissioning, periodic trade shows. Potential for international travel 1-2 times per year.

• Education:
  
  Bachelors degree in chemical, mechanical, bio-systems, or electrical engineering required
• Must have 5+ years’ experience in the sanitary dairy process industry and a working knowledge of liquid process system design, including mass and heat transfer calculations, piping system flow/pressure calculations, pump/valve/line sizing
• Familiarity with industry standards (3-A, ASME, FDA, USDA)
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong teamwork skills to collaborate with cross‑functional teams

• CUSTOMER FOCUS:
  Our decisions and actions are aligned with client needs, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.
• INTEGRITY & COMPLIANCE:
  Establishes trust and credibility, ensuring that actions and communications are transparent and ethical.…