Process Engineer - Food Manufacturing

Title: Process Engineer
Location: Elgin, IL
Hire Type: Direct-hire
Shift:Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Compensation: $120,00 - $150,000 base salary
Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options:Eligible for performance-based incentives
Benefits: Health benefits, professional growth support, paid time off, retirement benefits, and additional financial wellness programs
Must have Skill Set: Manufacturing engineering experience, process and equipment improvement, capital project management, equipment installation/startup, continuous improvement, AutoCAD/SolidWorks knowledge, and strong understanding of manufacturing operations

Overview:

The Process Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing improvements to food processing and packaging equipment across manufacturing facilities. This role focuses on improving equipment performance, reliability, production efficiency, safety, and product quality. The Process Engineer will manage capital and expense projects, establish project budgets and timelines, oversee equipment installations and startups, and serve as a technical subject matter expert for assigned manufacturing equipment and systems.

Job Duties:

** Must have Mechanical Design experience

• Design, modify, and improve production equipment and systems to enhance safety, efficiency, reliability, and product quality
• Evaluate food processing and packaging equipment to identify opportunities for optimization and continuous improvement
• Provide technical expertise, training, and support to Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams
• Partner with R&D to support new product development and production trials
• Manage equipment purchases and vendor relationships
• Participate in and oversee Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs)
• Manage equipment installations, commissioning, and startup activities
• Lead capital and expense projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and execution
• Support Maintenance and Fabrication teams with equipment upgrades, retrofits, and process improvements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve productivity, product quality, and operational efficiency
• Support troubleshooting and improvement of manufacturing equipment and processes
• Serve as a technical resource for assigned manufacturing equipment and systems

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field preferred
• 5+ years of engineering and manufacturing experience
• Food or nutritional industry experience and knowledge of basic food science highly preferred
• Hands-on experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Project management experience
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks
• Industrial performance experience preferred
• Understanding of bulk dry and liquid materials handling and processing
• Understanding of thermodynamics and metal fabrication methodologies
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, including equipment, automation, maintenance, production strategies, and quality-control processes
• Ability to analyze manufacturing data and use a fact-based approach to problem solving
• Basic understanding of PLC ladder logic preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively across departments and management levels
• Ability to supervise projects and personnel
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to spend extended time on the production floor and walk throughout large manufacturing facilities
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.