Process Development Engineer

Manpower; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower is seeking a Process Development Engineer for a temporary assignment in Buffalo, NY. The role focuses on leading process development, optimization, and manufacturing innovation across multiple product categories, with collaboration across R&D, Quality, Packaging, and Operations teams.

The position requires a Bachelor's in engineering and 5+ years of related experience, with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in process development, process engineering, manufacturing, or applied engineering environments.
• Experience with process optimization, product development, or experimental design.
• Experience with manufacturing facilities, production equipment, pilot plants, or large-scale processing systems.
• Strong knowledge of engineering problem-solving methodologies and continuous improvement principles.
• Ability to independently manage technical projects and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical presentations and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support process engineering initiatives focused on product innovation, renovation, and cost savings.
• Design, evaluate, optimize, and troubleshoot manufacturing processes and processing equipment.
• Develop and execute process development plans for new products and manufacturing technologies.
• Conduct laboratory, pilot plant, and production-scale trials to validate process improvements and innovations.
• Collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Packaging, and Operations teams to implement process solutions.
• Apply engineering principles to improve process performance, efficiency, product quality, and reliability.
• Research and evaluate new technologies, equipment, and manufacturing systems to support business objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and engineering expertise throughout project execution and scale-up activities.

Skills

Process optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering problem-solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Manpower

Our client, a leading food manufacturing and innovation company, is seeking a Process Development Engineer to join their team.In this highly visible engineering role, you will support the Research, Innovation, and Compliance (RIC) team by driving process development, process optimization, manufacturing innovation, and new product commercialization across multiple product categories. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex processing challenges, leading technical projects, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to improve manufacturing performance, efficiency, and product quality.

Job Title:Process Development Engineer
Location: Buffalo, NY
Pay Range: $40-$62/hour
Duration: Temporary assignment scheduled through January 1, 2027
Schedule: Monday-Friday;8am-5pm

What's the Job?

• Lead and support process engineering initiatives focused on product innovation, renovation, and cost savings.
• Design, evaluate, optimize, and troubleshoot manufacturing processes and processing equipment.
• Develop and execute process development plans for new products and manufacturing technologies.
• Conduct laboratory, pilot plant, and production-scale trials to validate process improvements and innovations.
• Collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Packaging, and Operations teams to implement process solutions.
• Apply engineering principles to improve process performance, efficiency, product quality, and reliability.
• Research and evaluate new technologies, equipment, and manufacturing systems to support business objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and engineering expertise throughout project execution and scale-up activities.

What's Needed?

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in process development, process engineering, manufacturing, industrial research, or applied engineering environments.
• Demonstrated success in process optimization, product development, process improvement, or experimental design.
• Experience working with manufacturing facilities, production equipment, pilot plants, or large-scale processing systems.
• Strong knowledge of engineering problem‑solving methodologies and continuous improvement principles.
• Ability to independently manage technical projects and collaborate effectively within cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical presentations and reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing, dairy, non‑dairy products, emulsions, culinary products, or consumer packaged goods (CPG).
• Hands‑on experience with pilot equipment, process scale‑up, and manufacturing start‑up support.
• Background in design of experiments (DOE), process validation, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Experience identifying, selecting, or specifying manufacturing equipment and process technologies.

What's in It for Me?

• Competitive pay of $40-$62/hour.
• Opportunity to lead impactful process development and manufacturing optimization projects.
• Exposure to innovative food technologies, pilot plant activities, and manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate with global engineering, R&D, and operations teams.
• Gain valuable experience supporting both new product commercialization and process improvement initiatives.
• Hybrid work schedule with the opportunity to contribute to a world‑class innovation organization.