Thermal Process Specialist

Job Title: Thermal Process SpecialistJob Description

The Thermal Process Specialist serves as the technical expert for retort operations across two manufacturing facilities, overseeing the thermal processing program for 24 large cooking and sterilization units. This role focuses on ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance, and process reliability rather than operating equipment. The specialist investigates process deviations, reviews and approves batch documentation, supports equipment and process troubleshooting, and acts as a key liaison between operations, maintenance, research and development, and leadership. In addition, this role partners closely with research and development on new product initiatives by conducting thermal process testing, analyzing data, and establishing validated processing parameters for commercial production.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the thermal processing program for 24 retorts to ensure consistent, reliable, and safe operation across two manufacturing facilities.
• Investigate and resolve process deviations, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions to maintain food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Review and approve batch documentation to confirm that processing parameters meet internal standards and external regulatory requirements.
• Support equipment and process troubleshooting, working closely with maintenance and operations teams to optimize retort performance and minimize downtime.
• Act as a key liaison between operations, maintenance, research and development, and leadership to align thermal processing practices with business and production goals.
• Conduct thermal process testing for new and existing products, including developing test plans, executing trials, and collecting process data.
• Analyze thermal processing data to establish validated processing parameters and ensure proper sterilization and product quality for commercial production.
• Collaborate with research and development on new product development and commercialization, providing thermal process expertise to scale formulations from pilot to full production.
• Ensure all thermal processing activities adhere to food safety standards, regulatory guidelines, and internal quality systems.
• Continuously monitor and improve thermal systems and procedures, leveraging thermal engineering and analysis techniques to enhance process efficiency and reliability.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience working with retort systems and thermal processing operations in a production environment.
• Strong understanding of thermal systems, thermal engineering, and thermal analysis as applied to food processing and sterilization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food safety principles related to thermal processing and retorted products.
• Ability to investigate process deviations, interpret processing data, and make sound technical decisions to maintain compliance and product safety.
• Experience supporting equipment and process troubleshooting in collaboration with operations and maintenance teams.
• Effective communication skills to serve as a liaison between operations, maintenance, research and development, and leadership.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Better Process Control School (BPCS) certification or an equivalent thermal processing certification.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience in research and development or new product commercialization, particularly in scaling thermal processes from pilot to full production.
• Familiarity with retort validation, process documentation, and regulatory requirements for thermally processed foods.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence process improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating thermal process data and optimizing processing parameters.

Work Environment

This role is based on the production floor across two manufacturing plants and involves regular presence in a food manufacturing environment with large retort cooking and sterilization equipment. The position follows a Monday-Friday, first-shift schedule, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional flexibility as needed to support production and testing activities. The work environment requires close collaboration with operations, maintenance, and research and development teams, and may involve working around heat, steam, and standard production-floor conditions while adhering to all facility safety and hygiene protocols.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Janesville, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $31.25/hr.

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 Janesville,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 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.