Principal Food Systems Engineer

Marmon Holdings, Inc.; Carol Stream (IL); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Matching

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc. seeks a Principal Food Systems Engineer in Carol Stream, IL to advance food-system technologies through modeling, simulation, and hands-on prototyping. You will apply thermodynamics and heat transfer to optimize food–equipment interaction and drive product development.

The role requires leading-edge experimentation, DOE-based analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to mature concepts toward future product roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related technical discipline.
• 10-15+ years of experience in food systems engineering, food science, food service equipment development, or related innovation-focused technical environments

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and apply analytical, numerical, and simulation models to evaluate concepts and guide design decisions before prototyping.
• Analyze heat transfer, mass transfer, airflow, humidity, and thermal response to understand food–equipment interaction.
• Create mechanical concepts, CAD models, prototypes, and experimental setups for early-stage technology evaluation.
• Perform technical feasibility assessments and develop maturation plans from exploration to validation.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Thermal management

Modeling & simulation

Mechanical design

Prototyping

DOE

Data-driven analysis

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Food Engineering/Related

Tools

CAD software

Instrumentation & data acquisition

Job description

## Principal Food Systems EngineerApply: Carol Stream, IL: Full time: Posted Today: JR0000046186Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.Though you may not know us by name, you’ve most likely enjoyed meals and refreshments supported by our industry-leading brand portfolio. For decades, we’ve designed and manufactured foodservice equipment for some of the world’s biggest, most recognized consumer brands.We are driven to innovate with a clear purpose in mind: revolutionizing the future of foodservice. Guided by our commitment to Doing Things That Matter, Leading at Every Level, and Winning a Better Way, we focus on delivering meaningful impact for our customers, our communities, and each other. The Principal Food Systems Engineer is a senior technical expert responsible for advancing the scientific and engineering understanding of how food interacts with Marmon Foodservice Technologies equipment—including holding bins, toasters, heated platforms, and emerging foodservice technologies. This role applies food systems science, thermodynamics, modeling and simulation, mechanical design, hands-on prototyping, and validation to develop technologies that improve food quality, operational performance, and customer value. As part of the Advanced R&D Technology Team, this role explores, incubates, and matures food-system technologies that support future product roadmaps, competitive differentiation, and improved customer outcomes.Working closely with engineering, product management, and product teams, this individual identifies technology opportunities and translates complex food-quality challenges into predictive models, engineering solutions, measurable performance metrics, proof-of-concept technologies, and actionable technical insights that drive future product development. The role is expected to personally contribute throughout the innovation process via simulation, engineering design, CAD development, prototype creation, instrumentation, experimentation, and technical analysis that advance technologies from concept through feasibility and validation.This is a highly hands-on Advanced R&D Principal Engineer role focused on technology exploration, concept development, proof-of-concept maturation, and solving complex challenges involving food systems, heat transfer, thermal management, and food-equipment interaction through scientific rigor, modeling and simulation, engineering analysis, and experimental development. **What You’ll Do****Develop and Apply Modeling, Simulation, and Analytical Methods*** Develop, validate, and apply analytical, numerical, and simulation models to evaluate concepts, test hypotheses, predict food-system behavior, and guide design decisions before physical prototyping and full-scale testing.* Analyze heat transfer, mass transfer, airflow, humidity behavior, contact conditions, and thermal response to better understand food-equipment interaction.* Integrate simulation results, experimental data, and observed food performance to guide design tradeoffs, reduce development risk, and accelerate concept maturation.**Drive Hands-On Concept Development and Proof-of-Concept Work*** Work directly in the front-end innovation phase to shape concepts, evaluate feasibility, and identify promising technical pathways.* Create mechanical concepts, CAD models, design layouts, prototype configurations, and experimental setups to support early-stage technology evaluation.* Independently design, build, instrument, test, and refine prototype systems, fixtures, sensors, data acquisition setups, and proof-of-concept hardware with minimal reliance on dedicated technical support.* Partner closely with engineering, product management, and product teams to translate scientific insight into physical concepts, test articles, and practical design improvements.**Explore, Evaluate, and Mature Emerging Technologies*** Identify, evaluate, and assess emerging technologies, scientific advancements, customer needs, and industry trends that may create future opportunities for Marmon Foodservice Technologies.* Perform technical feasibility assessments to understand the applicability, risks, benefits, and limitations of new technologies and concepts.* Develop technology maturation plans that advance concepts from exploration through proof-of-concept, feasibility assessment, technology validation, and roadmap readiness.* Generate technical insights and recommendations that inform technology roadmaps, innovation investments, future product strategies, and potential intellectual property opportunities.**Provide Deep Technical Contribution Across Product Development*** Work directly with engineering and product teams to translate food science and application data into engineering constraints, design criteria, and validation strategies.* Design and execute experiments, including DOE and hypothesis-driven testing, to resolve complex development questions.* Apply technical judgment and evidence-based analysis to influence design direction across multiple programs.* Serve as a technical mentor and subject matter expert, helping elevate organizational capability in food systems, thermal management, modeling and simulation, experimental methods, and technology development.**Strong Foundation in:*** Thermodynamics, heat transfer, thermal management, and food-equipment interaction* Food systems engineering, food texture, rheology, and product quality analysis* Modeling, simulation, mechanical design, prototyping, and instrumentation* Experimental design, DOE, and data-driven problem solving**Skills and Experience We’re Looking For*** Experience developing commercial food equipment, collaborating with QSR R&D teams, or advancing foodservice technologies in innovation-focused environments.* Experience working hands-on in concept development, proof-of-concept work, prototyping, experimental development, and technology feasibility assessment.* Experience applying rigorous scientific and engineering principles, including DOE, root cause analysis, and multi-variable performance characterization to solve problems involving food behavior, thermal response, texture, moisture, and equipment interaction.* Experience exploring, incubating, and maturing new technologies from concept through proof-of-concept and technical feasibility validation.* Deep expertise in food systems, thermodynamics, heat transfer, thermal management, modeling and simulation, mechanical design, and food-equipment interaction.* Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex technical challenges, develop new methods and frameworks, and translate technical insights into innovative solutions through effective cross-functional collaboration. **Required Qualifications*** Master's or Ph.D. in Food Engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related technical discipline* 10-15+ years of experience in food systems engineering, food science, food service equipment development, advanced product development, or related innovation-focused technical environments **Benefits**We support your well-being with comprehensive and easy-to-use benefits that you’ll be eligible to enroll in on your first day of employment. Here are some of the highlights:* Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug insurance plans* Access to a Health Advocate who is an expert in Marmon’s health plan and can help you select the best health benefits for you and your family* Tax advantaged spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses* Wellness programs and resources including Telehealth, Mental Health, Fitness, and Family Planning* Generous paid time off for personal use, holidays, and parental leave* Company-sponsored life insurance* 401(k) with fully vested company match; Marmon may also make an additional annual discretionary contribution to your account, whether or not you contribute on your own* Financial and retirement advising**About Marmon Holdings**Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, comprises 11 groups and more than 100 autonomous businesses with total annual revenue of $10 billion. Marmon’s 28,000-plus team members are celebrating the company's 70th anniversary in 2023 and helping write the next chapter of Marmon's story.Pay Range:113,600.00 - 170,400.00We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to [e-mail], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.