Process Engineer

Perdue Farms, Inc.; Salisbury (MD); On-site; USD 89,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) with employer match

Disability protection

Paid time off

Job summary

Perdue AgriBusiness seeks a Crush Oilseeds Process Engineer to optimize oilseed crushing operations, driving safety, reliability, efficiency, and product quality. You will partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to troubleshoot challenges, evaluate capital projects, and sustain measurable results.

This hands-on role focuses on operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, agricultural engineering, or closely related field.
• 2–4 years of experience in industrial process engineering or related environment.
• Ability to analyze process data, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.
• Experience with process optimization and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and production reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and optimize oilseed crushing processes to improve throughput and yields.
• Analyze data to identify constraints and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor and improve performance across all plant operations from seed prep to oil handling.
• Establish targets, SOPs, and control strategies for operations.
• Identify opportunities to reduce losses and improve energy and material efficiency.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to implement improvements.
• Provide technical support during upsets and recurring issues.
• Lead or participate in root-cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Support safety, environmental, and food safety compliance and risk reviews.
• Develop scopes for capital projects and support project lifecycle from design to startup.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical, mechanical, or agricultural engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Process control systems

Manufacturing data systems

Job description

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company that handles agricultural commodities and a diverse portfolio of products and businesses. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Optimize performance and drive continuous improvement across oilseed crushing operations. As a Crush Oilseeds Process Engineer, you will provide technical expertise to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, production yields, product quality, and overall plant performance. You will partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Environmental Health and Safety, Engineering, Finance, and plant leadership to troubleshoot challenges, support process improvements, evaluate capital projects, and help sustain measurable results. This role is ideal for a hands‑on, analytical problem‑solver who builds strong cross‑functional partnerships and is committed to operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The salary range for this position is $89,000 - $133,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).

In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Evaluate and optimize oilseed crushing processes to improve throughput, extraction efficiency, product recovery, and overall plant performance.

• Analyze operating parameters, production data, and performance indicators to identify constraints, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.

• Monitor and improve process performance across seed preparation, conditioning, flaking, cooking, pressing or extraction, meal desolventizing, drying and cooling, oil handling, and related operations, as applicable to the facility.

• Establish, monitor, and maintain process operating targets, performance indicators, standard operating parameters, standard operating procedures, and process control strategies.

• Identify opportunities to reduce processing losses, improve yields, optimize energy, water, steam, and chemical consumption, and improve operating margins through reduced waste and lower conversion costs.

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Quality, Food Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, Engineering, Finance, external vendors, and plant leadership to implement sustainable process improvements and support operational and business decisions.

• Provide technical support during process upsets, equipment performance issues, production challenges, process deviations, and recurring operational problems.

• Lead or participate in root cause analysis and develop corrective and preventive actions to improve reliability, consistency, asset performance, and operational results.

• Support quality, food safety, feed safety, environmental compliance, process safety reviews, hazard assessments, management-of-change activities, safe operating practices, and evaluation of safety, environmental, and product‑quality impacts.

• Identify and recommend capital projects, process modifications, equipment upgrades, automation, instrumentation, and control system improvements; develop technical scopes, process calculations, equipment specifications, cost‑benefit analyses, and support project design, installation, commissioning, startup, and effectiveness reviews.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.

• 2 to 4 years of experience in industrial process engineering, manufacturing, chemical processing, oilseed processing, or a related environment.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze process data, troubleshoot operational issues, and implement measurable process improvements.

• Experience with process optimization, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and project management skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working with production reporting, process control systems, or manufacturing data systems.

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and provide hands‑on technical support to plant operations.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in an oilseed crushing facility processing soybeans, canola, sunflower, or other oilseeds.

• Knowledge of seed preparation, mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, meal processing, oil handling, and associated process technologies.

• Familiarity with process control systems, instrumentation, data analytics, and statistical process analysis.

• Experience with capital project development, commissioning, and startup.

• Knowledge of process safety management, management of change, and applicable environmental and food/feed safety requirements.

• Experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and provide hands‑on technical support to plant operations.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.