Research & Development Industrial Placement - Global Process - Global Process- Flavour & Seasoning 2027

PepsiCo Inc.; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vibrant culture

Development and mentoring

25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Birthday leave

Discounted PepsiCo products

Competitive pension scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits: Virtual

Discounted gym membership

SWORD; online digital physiotherapy

Job summary

PepsiCo offers an undergraduate placement programme in Global R&D for 12 months starting July 2027. You will work on projects at the intersection of flavour, engineering and data science to deliver future-ready processing technologies.

You will conduct bench- and pilot-scale experiments, learn scale-up principles, and apply AI/ML insights while collaborating with internal teams and external partners in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Pursuing degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Interest in hands-on experimental work at bench/pilot scale.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct bench and pilot-scale experimental trials to develop processing technologies.
• Apply scale-up/down fundamentals to ensure transferability to commercial scale.
• Leverage AI, ML, and statistics to generate insights for decision-making.
• Develop technical solutions for process/engineering projects with internal and external collaborators.
• Maintain safe, organized pilot plant environment and ensure materials availability.
• Contribute to safety assessments of projects and processes.
• Collaborate with global partners and suppliers to advance technology.

Skills

Technical curiosity

Hands-on experimental work

Independent & team work

Strong communication

Team player

Safety consciousness

Education

Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Overview

You’ve learned a lot as a student already. Want to put it into practice at PepsiCo?

Our placement programmes are structured to give you the chance to make an impact on some of the world’s biggest brands. From day one, you’ll be working on projects that matter. You will shake things up, shape trends, and get guidance and development to help you discover your potential.

We are looking for enthusiastic undergraduates to join our R&D teams on a 12-month placement programme starting in July 2027 on a full-time basis.

Innovation takes centre stage at PepsiCo! That means our Global R&D team are at the heart of the action and are kept busy creating the products of the future, for our global consumers. In a fast-paced consumer environment, our research and development capability is crucial to provide a fresh twist to our favourite brands as well as creating new to the world healthy choices that we need to succeed in the market. Our research and development focusses on building a consumer-centric understanding, enabling us to design products for the latest consumer needs - whether nutrition, refreshment, or indulgence – driving our growth both now and in the future.

You’ll have lots of autonomy where your decisions will really make a difference to our business and in return, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills and experience in a fast paced, energetic environment.

Overview of the role

The Global Flavour & Seasonings Process Capabilities team is responsible for the development and improvement of seasoning delivery process technologies across PepsiCo global foods portfolio. In this role, you’ll work at the intersection of food innovation, engineering and data science, helping to solve real-world manufacturing challenges, develop scalable process solutions to make our processes more efficient, robust and future-ready.

Responsibilities

What will you be doing?

• Lead and execute experimental trials at both bench and pilot scale to build insights to support development and implementation of new processing technologies.
• Apply scale up or scale down fundamentals to ensure results obtained from experimental studies are transferrable to our processes at commercial scale.
• Leverage AI, machine learning, and statistical tools to generate insights and support decision-making.
• Develop technical solutions for process and/or mechanical engineering projects, collaborating with internal teams and external experts.
• Maintain a safe and organized environment in the pilot plant during periods of high activity, including working with pilot plant team to ensure a seamless supply of raw materials and services.
• Participate in process and machinery safety assessment of projects.
• Working globally with Research Institutes, Consultancies and Suppliers, to build new technology for PepsiCo based on leading edge scientific knowledge.

Qualifications

What we are looking for:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other relevant engineering disciplines.
• Technical curiosity and interest in working in an R&D environment, learning new scientific and engineering concepts to solve real-world manufacturing challenges.
• Interest in hands-on experimental work, including at bench-scale and pilot-scale.
• Ability to manage tasks independently while working as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain ideas clearly in written and oral form.
• Great team player, able to collaborate with people from different technical backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality and responsible ways of working.

What else do you need to know?

Our placements start in July 2027 on a full-time basis and will last for 12 months. The salary is £26,600.

Other benefits

• Vibrant culture
• Development and mentoring
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays , birthday leave
• Discounted PepsiCo products
• Competitive pension scheme
• Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits: Virtual GP: available to you and your family 24/7,
• Discounted gym membership, SWORD; online free digital physiotherapy service

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly$92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio thatincludes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to‑end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.