Membrane Filtration Process Engineer

Kovalus Separation Solutions; Stratford (WI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

401K

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Travel insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation 3 weeks

Sick time 48h

Educational assistance

Referral bonus

Job summary

Kovalus Separation Solutions is seeking a Process Engineer to apply principles to design, analyze, and optimize food and dairy processing systems, focusing on membrane filtration projects from concept to startup. The role collaborates with customers, sales, project management, automation, manufacturing, and field teams.

Based in Stratford, WI or Willmar, MN, the position supports onsite, hybrid, or remote work, with travel up to 30% and occasional international travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering related to dairy or chemical processing.
• 3+ years in sanitary dairy processing or membrane filtration.
• Knowledge of 3-A and USDA standards.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, verbal and written communication, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze data to optimize process lines.
• Support quotations with technical input, sizing, PFDs, and P&IDs.
• Develop mass and energy balances for process systems.
• Prepare P&IDs, process descriptions, and specs for project execution.
• Lead FAT with automation team and assist commissioning.
• Travel up to 30% to client sites and occasional international travel.
• Improve efficiency, reliability, and product quality through data analysis.

Skills

Dairy processing experience

Membrane filtration know-how

Project management

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Engineering Degree in engineering related to dairy/chemical/mechanical/biosystems

Job description

Position Overview

This position will apply process engineering principles to design, analyze, optimize, and support food and dairy processing systems. The role supports membrane filtration projects from conceptual design through commissioning and startup, working closely with customers, sales, project management, automation, manufacturing, and field teams.

Job Details

Location: Stratford, WI or Willmar, MN. Work Mode: Onsite, Hybrid, or Fully Remote. Must be able to commute to Willmar MN or Stratford WI.

Status: Hybrid- Willmar or Stratford.

Reports To: Filtration Systems Director.

FLSA Status: Exempt.

Management Position: No.

Compensation: $85k-$105,800.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze data to support the optimization and improvement of customers’ existing process lines.
• Support quotation proposals with technical input, equipment sizing estimations, high level process flow diagrams (PFDs), process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Utilize historical cost data to support and enhance cost estimation tools while proposing continuous cost-reduction improvements.
• Assist sales team with on-site and remote customer meetings for process solutions presentations and discussions.

Process Design and Engineering

• Develop technically detailed mass and energy balance calculations for process systems, covering water, heat, and cooling utilities.
• Prepare technical documentation including complete P&IDs, process descriptions, and specifications for use in project execution.
• Contribute to computational tools through data collection, analysis, and excel-oriented skills.

Project Support and Execution

• Support projects from conceptual design phase to final execution at customer sites.
• Prepare functional description for automation team and lead factory acceptance testing (FAT).
• Partner closely with project and automation engineers to identify and resolve technical, mechanical, and control system issues.
• Execute commissioning, startup, and performance verification of filtration systems.
• Ensure system performance meets project requirements for capacity, yield, and key process variables.
• Prepare SOP manual and train operators & customer technical teams.
• Document lessons learned and provide feedback for future project improvement.

Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement

• Analyze operational data to improve efficiency, reliability, and product quality.
• Identify and resolve process and equipment issues to enhance productivity through root cause analysis and effective corrective actions.
• Support standardization and best engineering practices.

Other Duties

• Assist after-sales team and customers with inquiries, issues, warranties, upgrades as needed.
• On request, give technological support and advice to coworkers in the organization and/or customer’s organization.
• Attend relevant continuing education classes (e.g., university classes, equipment training).
• Attend industry events (e.g., Cheese Con, WCMA events).
• Other projects as assigned by supervisor.

Travel

Anticipate 30% travel, including client site visits during pre-sales, project kickoff, occasional visit during installation as needed, commissioning, periodic trade shows. Potential for international travel 1-2 times per year.

Skills / Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Engineering Degree in dairy food processing, chemical, mechanical, bio-systems, etc.
• Must have 3+ years’ experience in the sanitary dairy process industry and a working knowledge of membrane filtration systems or liquid processing.
• Familiarity with industry standards (3-A, USDA).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong teamwork skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Kovalues

• CUSTOMER FOCUS: Our decisions and actions are aligned with client needs, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.
• INTEGRITY & COMPLIANCE: Establishes trust and credibility, ensuring that actions and communications are transparent and ethical. Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• TEAMWORK: Foster collaboration and efficiency, leading to innovative solutions and a supportive work environment.
• HUMILITY & RESPECT: Build a positive culture by valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a respectful workplace.
• ENTREPRENEURIAL: Eliminate bureaucracy and non-value-added processes. Encourage innovation, promote a sense of urgency, and identify and promote our competitive advantage.

Kovalus offers a comprehensive package that includes: Medical (3 plan options), Dental (2 plan options) and Vision plan insurances; 401K (6% company match & fixed company contribution based on seniority); health savings and flexible spending accounts; company provided basic life insurance policy with the option of selecting additional voluntary life insurance for self, spouse or dependents; disability insurances (short-term policy is company paid & long-term is split between company and employee); voluntary insurance plans for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity; business and personal travel insurance; 10 paid holidays; vacation time starting at 3 weeks; 48 hours sick time; employee assistance program; educational assistance program; referral bonus; bereavement leave. All benefits are subject to applicable plan and program terms (including eligibility terms) and may be subject to change.

The Company’s employment application form will state, at least, that The Company will consider all applicants for positions without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other basis prohibited by law.