Pet-Food Process Engineer — 60% Travel

Nestlé Purina North America; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 82,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé Purina North America in St. Louis seeks a Process Engineering Specialist to lead and support machinery maintenance, capability evaluation, training, and modifications to fit divisional needs for factories.

You will provide expert technical assistance in processes, quality issues, equipment and system design, evaluation, and recommendations. Key responsibilities include improving dry pet food production processes, partnering with marketing, R&D, engineering, operations, QA, procurement,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food sciences, engineering, or related field and 3+ years of experience with process/product design and engineering in consumer products, food, or feed manufacturing.
• High School or GED and 7+ years of experience with process/product design and engineering in consumer products, food, or feed manufacturing.
• Willing and able to travel 50-60%

Responsibilities

• Support continuous improvement of dry pet food production processes and equipment by evaluating process capabilities, identifying limitations, and recommending practical, cost‑effective solutions.
• Partner cross‑functionally with a wide variety of internal customer groups, including marketing, R&D, engineering, operations, quality assurance, product services, procurement, production, and finance.
• Provide technical process support across multiple manufacturing sites, including troubleshooting process challenges, supporting trials, and helping validate equipment or process modifications.
• Assist with process‑related capital improvements, line enhancements, and factory capability studies while balancing analytical problem solving with hands‑on support in manufacturing environments.
• Travel approximately 50–60% to manufacturing sites to build relationships, support factory teams, and gain hands‑on understanding of equipment, process flow, and site‑specific needs.

Skills

Process design

Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in food sciences or engineering

High School/GED + 7+ years of experience

Job description

Nestlé Purina North America in St. Louis seeks a Process Engineering Specialist to lead and support machinery maintenance, capability evaluation, training, and modifications to fit divisional needs for factories.

You will provide expert technical assistance in processes, quality issues, equipment and system design, evaluation, and recommendations. Key responsibilities include improving dry pet food production processes, partnering with marketing, R&D, engineering, operations, QA, procurement,