Food Process Engineer

Tech Observer; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Tech Observer is seeking a senior engineering leader to drive capital projects from planning to startup within a regulated food manufacturing environment. You will manage CAPEX, ROI analyses, vendors, and equipment procurement while reviewing technical drawings and ensuring compliance with HACCP and GMP standards.

You will lead maintenance and reliability programs, champion Lean/Six Sigma, and coordinate with QA and Sanitation teams to maintain hygienic equipment design and safe operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years in engineering, maintenance, reliability, or manufacturing.
• 7+ years leading engineering, maintenance, or facilities teams.
• Experience in food processing or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong background in capital projects, plant expansions, and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects from planning through startup.
• Manage CAPEX, ROI analysis, vendors, contractors, RFQs, and equipment procurement.
• Review engineering drawings, specs, and bids.
• Oversee OEM approvals, FAT, and PAT.
• Support PLC, HMI, SCADA, conveyor, and process automation systems.
• Improve manufacturing processes, equipment performance, and efficiency.
• Review PFDs, P&IDs, ISO drawings, and layouts.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, SQF, BRC, FDA, USDA, OSHA.
• Coordinate with Quality and Sanitation on hygienic equipment design.
• Oversee preventive/predictive maintenance, CMMS, spare parts management.
• Travel 40–60% as needed.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

CAPEX analysis

Vendor management

Regulatory compliance

Food industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

Procore

Excel

Microsoft Project

Job description

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

Key Responsibilities:

Capital Projects & Project Management:

• Lead capital projects from planning and budgeting through installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Manage CAPEX, ROI analysis, vendors, contractors, RFQs, and equipment procurement.
• Review engineering drawings, technical specifications, and project bids.
• Oversee OEM approvals, FAT, and PAT.

Automation & Process Engineering:

• Support PLC, HMI, SCADA, conveyor, and process automation systems.
• Improve manufacturing processes, equipment performance, and operational efficiency.
• Review PFDs, P&IDs, ISO drawings, and engineering layouts.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, SQF, BRC, FDA, USDA, and OSHA standards.
• Partner with Quality and Sanitation teams on hygienic equipment design, allergen control, and food safety.
• Support regulatory audits and workplace safety programs.

Maintenance & Continuous Improvement:

• Oversee preventive/predictive maintenance, CMMS, equipment reliability, and spare parts management.
• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, RCA, and 5-Why methodologies.
• Improve equipment uptime, reduce costs, and standardize plant operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 15+ years of engineering, maintenance, reliability, or manufacturing experience.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing engineering, maintenance, or facilities teams.
• Experience in food processing, refrigerated foods, protein processing, pharmaceuticals, or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong background in capital projects, plant expansions, equipment installation, automation, and commissioning.
• Knowledge of industrial refrigeration, boilers, utilities, thermal processing, PLCs, HMI, and SCADA.
• Understanding of HACCP, GMP, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong project management, budgeting, CAPEX, ROI, and vendor management skills.

Additional Technical Skills

• Experience with RFQs, OEM approvals, FAT/PAT, and competitive bid evaluations.
• Ability to interpret PFDs, P&IDs, ISO, and engineering drawings.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Procore, Excel, and Microsoft Project.
• Work in both office and manufacturing environments, including refrigerated, wet, hot, and high-noise areas.
• Availability outside regular business hours for plant shutdowns, installations, and emergencies.
• Travel approximately 40–60% as needed.
• Compliance with company safety, PPE, GMP, and food safety requirements.