Process Engineer - UHT Operations

Darigold; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Darigold is seeking a Process Engineer to optimize UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and HTST processes in its retail dairy operations. You will partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and R&D to stabilize processes, lead trials, and convert data into sustainable improvements that protect food safety, quality, and cost.

The ideal candidate has a strong floor presence, analytical rigor, and a continuous improvement mindset, with 5–7 years in manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering required.
• 5–7 years of experience in manufacturing or process-driven environments.
• Proven experience improving process performance using data-driven methods.
• Experience leading process trials and technical change.

Responsibilities

• Subject matter expert on UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and HTST processing functions.
• Plan and execute process trials, line trials, and validations in partnership with PD, QA, OT and Operations.
• Provide technical leadership for process changes, ensuring risks are assessed and mitigated.
• Support startup, scale-up, and post-trial stabilization to sustain improvements.
• Drive improvements in yield, throughput, loss reduction, and process stability.

Skills

Floor presence

Analytical rigor

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Process control systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering

Job description

The Process Engineer is a key technical resource for Darigold’s retail facing operations - UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and Fresh milk, responsible for improving process performance, reliability, efficiency and innovation in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. This role operates as a shared site resource, partnering with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and R&D to stabilize processes, lead trials and change, and convert data into sustainable improvements that protect food safety, quality, and cost. The ideal candidate brings strong floor presence, analytical rigor, and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to translate complex process behavior into practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Subject matter expert on UHT, Aseptic, ESL, Culture and HTST processing functions across product portfolios and cleaning matrices.

Innovation Trials, Validation & Change Execution

• Provide support to Product Development on processing functions in conjunction with formulation to achieve intended finished product characteristics.
• Plan and execute process trials, line trials, and validations in partnership with PD, QA, OT and Operations.
• Provide technical leadership for process changes, ensuring risks are assessed, mitigated, and embedded.
• Support startup, scale-up, and post‑trial stabilization to sustain improvements.

Process Performance & Optimization

• Drive improvements in yield, throughput, loss reduction, and process stability across B2C operations.
• Analyze process data, trends, and KPIs to identify constraints and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Lead structured problem solving for chronic and complex process issues impacting safety, quality, or performance.
• Establish, monitor, and improve critical operating parameters and control strategies.

Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, HACCP, and aseptic requirements.
• Partner with Quality on investigations, product holds, and corrective actions.
• Support audits through strong technical process knowledge and documentation.

Continuous Improvement & Capability Building

• Provide technical support to Processing operators to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Translate operational challenges into measurable continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Apply SPC, trend analysis, Pareto, and RCA tools to eliminate variation.
• Provide training to operators on process control and process function.
• Provide technical support to Processing operators to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Translate operational challenges into measurable continuous‑improvement initiatives.

Shared-Resource & Cross-Functional Support

• Serve as a flexible technical resource across the Darigold B2C network.

Capital & Project Support

• Support capital projects, equipment modifications, commissioning, and operational acceptance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering required, Mechanical, Industrial, or related disciplines considered.
• 5-7 years of experience in a manufacturing or process-driven environment.
• Proven experience improving process performance using data‑driven methods.
• Experience supporting or leading process trials and technical change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in UHT, Aseptic, Culture, ESL, dairy, beverage, or regulated food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of CIP systems, thermal processing, and hygienic design.
• Lean / Six Sigma or demonstrated CI leadership experience.

Key Competencies

• Hands‑on, floor-focused problem solving
• Data‑driven decision making
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration
• Strong technical capability in process control systems
• Ownership mindset for safety, quality, and results

Working Environment Manufacturing plant environment with frequent floor presence. Off‑shift or weekend support may be required during trials, startups, or critical issues. Up to 20% travel to support Darigold production network.