Pilot Plant Technician

All Aviation Jobs; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Technician at the Glenview R&D Center to execute trial plans, operate pilot plant machinery, and manage process flow across multiple lines. You will perform set‑up/tear‑down, record production data, and support daily trial activities in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 3–7 years of relevant experience, with basic to intermediate computer skills and the ability to work autonomously within standard operating procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3–7 years of manufacturing, food production, pilot plant, or similar operation environment experience.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills required.
• Ability to complete production documentation and learn to use required digital systems.
• Ability to work autonomously within standard work, while using judgement to escape non-standard issues.

Responsibilities

• Carry out pilot plant operations following policies and safety standards.
• Support day-to-day execution and completion of production trials.
• Be accountable for on-time trial set-up, tear-down, and routine operation.
• Perform machinery self-checks and initial troubleshooting during trials.
• Complete required trial, production, and related documentation.
• Submit maintenance work orders and materials for trial support.
• Support sanitation and food safety activities as required.
• Communicate needs and trial status to plant leaders and partners.
• Balance multiple tasks and adapt to schedule changes.
• Escalate non-standard issues to supervision as needed.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Autonomous work

Production documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

The Technicianis responsible forexecuting trial plans by operating pilot plant machinery and equipment, controlling process flow, and completing manual process work in packaging and/or less complex processing areas.This role supports day-to-day trial execution across one to two pilot plants and multiple lines with similar equipment, covering several business platforms.

Statement Of The Job

Perform pilot plant duties in compliance with established policies, safety standards, GMP requirements, and food safety and quality guidelines. The employee must be able to:

• Execute trial plans by operating machinery and equipment and completing assigned production activities
• Control process flow and conduct manual process work for packaging and/orless-complexprocessing areas
• Work across one to two different pilot plants and multiple lines with similar equipment covering several business platforms
• Support orparticipatein pre-trial meetings and trial planning activities
• Performtrial set-up and tear-down activities
• Support day-to-day running of production trials, including equipment self-checks and initial troubleshooting
• Ensuretimelyand precise completion of trial and production records
• Submit maintenance work orders and order materials as needed to support trial execution
• Support equipment swabbing, sanitizing, and minimal sanitation duties asrequired
• Explain workstation requirements and activities to other technicians and developers
• Shadow colleagues trained on specific workstations and build capability across assigned areas
• Complete work activities autonomously while escalating non-standard issues to the manager or more experienced colleagues

Responsibilities

• Carry out pilot plant operations following established policies and standards for product quality, GMP compliance, and safety.
• Support successful day-to-day execution and completion of production trials
• Be accountable foron-timetrial set-up, tear-down, and routine operation during assigned trials
• Perform machinery and equipment self-checks and carry outinitialtroubleshooting during trial execution
• Complete required trial, production, and related operational documentation
• Submit maintenance work orders and order materials needed for trial support
• Support sanitation, swabbing, and related food safety and quality activities asrequired
• Communicate workstation needs, project status, and trial issues topilot plant leaders, developers, and relevant partners
• Balance multiple work activities and accommodate changes in trial timing or schedule
• Escalate non-standard process, equipment, or execution issues appropriately
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Technician Manager, including support across pilot plant areas as needed

Safety Responsibility

Responsible for wearing proper PPE, complianceofsafety training, policy & procedures, and reporting any unsafe safety conditions to management.Responsible for safely operating production equipment and toolsrequiredfor production.

Quality Responsibility

Participate inaudtisandassistin the development ofprocedures and corrective actions.

Equipment Operated

Fork trucks,power tools,lift assist equipment,productionoperatingequipmentand toolsacrosspilotplants,andproductioncomputer systems.

Responsibility Of Equipment Operated

Responsible for ensuring equipment is in a safe and operable condition and mustoperateequipment in a safe manner.

Lifting Requirements

Lifting 5-50 pounds may be required. Employees should use assisted lifting techniques / devices or teamwork for equipment greater than 50 pounds.

Training And Experience

• High school diploma or GEDrequired
• 3-7years of relevantmanufacturing, food production, pilot plant, orsimilar operation environmentexperiencerequired
• Basic to intermediate computer skillsrequired
• Ability to complete production documentation and learn to use required digital systems
• Ability to work autonomously within standard work, while using judgement to escape non-standard issues.

Location(s)

Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.