Process Engineer (3 Year Contract)

Danone; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Danone Specialized Nutrition is building a greenfield liquid nutrition facility. We seek a Process Engineer to own process engineering across lifecycle, ensuring hygienic design and compliance with GMP/HACCP and EU regulations.

Work with EPCM partners, OEMs, and cross-functional teams to deliver SIT/ FAT/SAT, PQ, and ramp-up while driving safety and quality. Fixed-term contract to 2029, Cork, Ireland.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in engineering (Process/Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical or equivalent).
• Minimum 5+ years in project/process engineering within food & beverage or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Experience with greenfield/brownfield projects and CAPEX execution.
• Experience with FAT/SAT and IQ/OQ/PQ.
• Strong collaboration with EPCM partners and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Act as key technical and process owner for Process Engineering across the project lifecycle.
• Ensure alignment with Danone Engineering Standards, hygienic design principles, and safety regulations.
• Support project execution including wet/dry process systems, commissioning, qualification and ramp-up (DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, EHS, R&I, Maintenance, and Engineering and with EPCM partners and OEMs.
• Support CAPEX package scope, cost/forecast accuracy, schedule adherence, and risk registers; manage change control.

Skills

Process engineering

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Troubleshooting

CAPEX governance

Automation awareness (PLC/SCADA/MES)

Education

Bachelors degree in engineering

Tools

SCADA

MES

P&IDs / PFDs

Job description

About The Job

Danone Specialized Nutrition is delivering a major greenfield investment to build a next generation liquid nutrition manufacturing facility, characterized by high hygiene aseptic and UHT processes, and state of the art utilities and environmental control systems.

The Process Engineer is responsible for implementing the process scope of the project.

You will work closely with the internal cross functional project team, EPCM partners, suppliers, and OEMs to deliver energy efficiency and regulatory compliance within the process scope. This position is a specified purpose, fixed term contract until the end of 2029.

About You

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Technical Ownership – Process

• Act as the key technical& process expert for Process Engineering (Liquid /Powder) across the project lifecycle.
• Ensure alignment with Danone Engineering Standards, hygienic design principles, and food &operator safety regulations.

1. Project Execution & Commissioning

• Support the Project Manager in execution & integration of
• Process Systems :
• Wet Process_Bulk Liquid/Acid' s & Oils - Reception/Storage/Blending, Oil & Liquid dosing, Dissolving, Emulsification, Homogenization, Sterilization (UHT/DSI), CIP Systems, waters preparation.
• Dry Process_Warehouse Design - Flows & Racking Systems, Raw Material Handling (Big Bag / 25 kg handling), Pre Batching, Pick & Place, Lifting Aids, Robotics, Conveyor systems, Dust Extraction Systems, Compactors/Bailers, Scanning Systems & MES
• Support the design, installation, commissioning, qualification & ramp up of the process (DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ)
• Support FAT/SAT, performance testing, and final qualification. (PA & FA)
• Troubleshoot process performance issues during installation, commissioning, and startup to meet performance targets.

1. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Quality, EHS, R&I, Maintenance, and Engineering to ensure process meets safety, quality, operational, environmental and hygienic requirements.
• Collaborate with EPCM partners OEMs, contractors & consultants for sequencing, tie‑ins, layout & installation conflicts, and commissioning plans.
• Support interface between related systems i.e. Utility, Automation, Electrical, Packing teams on interdependent systems (BMS, SCADA, EMS).

1. CAPEX Support & Governance

• Support process CAPEX package scope, planning, and reporting.
• Provide technical input and support into cost/forecast accuracy, schedule adherence, and risk registers.
• Support change control and ensure all Process changes are fully assessed and documented.

1. Procurement & Supplier Management

• Support technical aspects of tenders for process equipment systems (URS, RFQ, SoW, technical bid evaluations, clarifications).
• Support Regional Engineering and C&P (CAPEX Procurement) for supplier selection and contract alignment.
• Support OEM/vendor deliverables for documentation, training, spare parts, and commissioning.

1. Standards, Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with:
• Danone Engineering Standards
• GMP/HACCP and hygiene zoning rules
• Local/European mechanical and ventilation regulations
• Embed Safety by Design and Quality by Design principles throughout engineering, installation and commissioning activities.

1. Operational Readiness & Handover

• Ensure full compliance with GMP/HACCP, hygienic design principles and local/EU regulations.
• Ensure documentation, validation, and qualification requirements are completed to a high standard.
• Ensure smooth handover of all process systems to Operations and Maintenance.
• Support development of SOPs, PM plans, training materials, spare parts lists, and CMMS master data.
• Capture lessons learned to support long-term plant performance and reliability.

1. Reporting & Decision Support

• Provide structured updates to the Project Manager on process progress, risks, commissioning readiness, and mitigation plans.
• Provide technical insights to support strategic and operational decision‑making throughout project phases.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Process/Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical or equivalent)
• Project Management Qualification - advantageous
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in project engineering / process engineering implementation roles within food & beverage, dairy, chemical or pharmaceutical, FMCG or nutrition manufacturing
• Previous experience in process implementation in a greenfield/brownfield site
• Proven experience in CAPEX projects / SHERPA qualified preferred
• Proven track record of liquid processing, aseptic technologies
• Experience working with EPCM partners, OEMs, cross‑functional teams and external engineering partners.
• Strong experience in;
• Liquid processing systems
• Dry Material handling systems
• Strong understanding of liquid /powder processing systems, plant design
• Experience with commissioning and qualification (FAT/SAT, DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Ability to interpret engineering documents (P&IDs, PFDs, layouts, technical specs)
• Strong troubleshooting skills during installation and startup
• Familiarity with project management principles and CAPEX processes
• Awareness of automation and process control (PLC/SCADA/MES)
• Ability to lead technical discussions with suppliers
• Ability to work autonomously
• Commitment to strong safety and quality culture

About Us

Danone is a large, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company with market leading brands across four divisions: Essential Dairy and Plant Based Products, Waters, Specialised Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Specialised Nutrition offers nutritional solutions with the shared goal of improving the health and well‑being of vulnerable individuals, from the first day of pregnancy into old age. We are looking for high calibre, dedicated and experienced personnel to complement our existing workforce.

At Danone we are passionate in our commitment to sustainability with the belief in building a healthier future through food. Our eating and drinking choices have an impact on our own health, the health of our society and the health of our planet.

Ensuring an inclusive working culture that is accessible to all is important to us. Danone Infant Nutrition Macroom is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Please note, owing to the high volume of applications we receive, only short‑listed candidates will be contacted.