Process Engineer

Job Title: Food and Beverage Process Engineer

Job Description

The Food and Beverage Process Engineer leads the design, development, and optimization of equipment and systems that are critical to customers' food and beverage manufacturing processes. This role focuses on conceptualizing and designing new products and processes, testing and validating product designs, and developing acceptance testing to ensure reliable performance. The engineer communicates concepts and ideas directly with customers and plays a key role in shaping engineering strategy across the organization. Success in this position requires a blend of innovation, creativity, and strong analytical skills, along with deep expertise in food and beverage technologies, system integration, equipment selection, food hygiene, plant safety, and cross-functional collaboration in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert on food and beverage systems and processes, including ingredient transfer using pneumatic and mechanical conveying, mixing and blending, and skid-based liquid process systems.
• Lead the design, specification, and development of conveying systems, mixing and blending systems, liquid process skidded systems, and related components for food and beverage manufacturing applications.
• Conceptualize product and process ideas directly with customers using sound design principles and a strong focus on design for manufacturability.
• Support sales, estimating, and customer discussions by contributing technical insight to project proposals, including project timelines, scope, and customer requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to process control systems, food safety regulations, process flow, and overall system performance.
• Deliver clear product specifications, calculations, recommendations, and procedures to project teams for use in production and implementation.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including process specifications and validation protocols, to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and coaching to engineers and project managers, contributing to the development of engineering talent across the organization.
• Play an active role in engineering leadership by influencing engineering strategy and promoting best practices across teams.
• Maintain a positive attitude and promote a collaborative, team-oriented approach throughout the organization.
• Ensure that a favorable company image is presented to customers and that all customer relationships are built on honesty and integrity.
• Travel up to approximately 20% of the time as needed to support projects, customer visits, and site activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support engineering and business objectives.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in manufacturing engineering and process engineering within food and beverage or closely related industries.
• Strong expereince in food manufacturing processes and manufacturing process optimization.
• Demonstrated expertise in lean manufacturing principles and their application in a production environment.
• Deep understanding of food and beverage technologies and system integration in manufacturing settings.
• Proficiency in the selection and application of food process equipment, mechanical transport and storage equipment, mechanical processing equipment, mechanical separation equipment, heat transfer equipment, food evaporation equipment, food dehydration equipment, thermal processing equipment, mass transfer equipment, and food packaging equipment.
• Solid knowledge of food hygiene and plant safety practices in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to design, specify, and develop conveying systems, mixing and blending systems, and liquid process skidded systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve complex process control and system performance issues.
• Ability to create and maintain detailed engineering documentation, process specifications, and validation protocols.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with customers, sales teams, project managers, and engineering colleagues.
• Leadership capabilities with experience mentoring, coaching, and developing engineering talent.
• Capacity to travel up to approximately 20% as required to support projects and customer needs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience serving as a subject matter expert on food and beverage systems and processes.
• Experience in supporting sales and estimating activities through technical input into project proposals.
• Experience working with process control systems and understanding food safety regulations and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to influence engineering strategy and promote best practices across an engineering organization.
• Strong customer-facing skills, with the ability to build relationships based on honesty, integrity, and technical credibility.
• Innovative and creative mindset, with the ability to generate new product and process concepts that meet customer needs.
• Collaborative working style that supports cross-functional teams and promotes a positive, team-oriented culture.

Work Environment

This role operates within a food and beverage manufacturing and engineering environment that emphasizes safety, hygiene, and reliability. The engineer works closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, project management, and production, and regularly interacts with customers to understand their processes and requirements. The position involves a mix of office-based design and documentation work and on-site activities at manufacturing facilities to support system design, troubleshooting, and validation. Travel of up to approximately 20% may be required to visit customer locations, attend project meetings, and oversee implementation. The environment values collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional integrity, offering opportunities to contribute to engineering strategy and to mentor emerging engineering talent.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Ramsey, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $105000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Ramsey,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.