Food Process Engineer

Job Description

Position: Senior Food Process Engineer

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Location: Sterling, VA

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Travel: 40–60% as needed

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Employment Type: Full-Time

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Industry: Food Industry

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Note: Candidates must have prior experience in the food manufacturing industry.

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Key Responsibilities:

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Capital Projects & Project Management:

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• Lead capital projects from planning and budgeting through installation, commissioning, and startup.

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• Manage CAPEX, ROI analysis, vendors, contractors, RFQs, and equipment procurement.

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• Review engineering drawings, technical specifications, and project bids.

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• Oversee OEM approvals, FAT, and PAT.

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Automation & Process Engineering:

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• Support PLC, HMI, SCADA, conveyor, and process automation systems.

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• Improve manufacturing processes, equipment performance, and operational efficiency.

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• Review PFDs, P&IDs, ISO drawings, and engineering layouts.

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Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance:

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• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, SQF, BRC, FDA, USDA, and OSHA standards.

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• Partner with Quality and Sanitation teams on hygienic equipment design, allergen control, and food safety.

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• Support regulatory audits and workplace safety programs.

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Maintenance & Continuous Improvement:

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• Oversee preventive/predictive maintenance, CMMS, equipment reliability, and spare parts management.

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• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, RCA, and 5-Why methodologies.

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• Improve equipment uptime, reduce costs, and standardize plant operations.

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Required Qualifications:

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• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.

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• 15+ years of engineering, maintenance, reliability, or manufacturing experience.

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• 7+ years of leadership experience managing engineering, maintenance, or facilities teams.

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• Experience in food processing, refrigerated foods, protein processing, pharmaceuticals, or regulated manufacturing.

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• Strong background in capital projects, plant expansions, equipment installation, automation, and commissioning.

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• Knowledge of industrial refrigeration, boilers, utilities, thermal processing, PLCs, HMI, and SCADA.

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• Understanding of HACCP, GMP, food safety, and regulatory compliance.

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• Strong project management, budgeting, CAPEX, ROI, and vendor management skills.

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Additional Technical Skills

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• Experience with RFQs, OEM approvals, FAT/PAT, and competitive bid evaluations.

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• Ability to interpret PFDs, P&IDs, ISO, and engineering drawings.

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• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Procore, Excel, and Microsoft Project.

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Work Environment & Travel

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• Work in both office and manufacturing environments, including refrigerated, wet, hot, and high-noise areas.

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• Availability outside regular business hours for plant shutdowns, installations, and emergencies.

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• Travel approximately 40–60% as needed.

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• Compliance with company safety, PPE, GMP, and food safety requirements.

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