Senior Engineer - R&D Process Development

Roquette Group; Geneva (IL); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Annual performance bonus

Retirement contribution

Paid time off

Holidays

Maternity leave

Parental leave

Student loan repayment

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness programs

Job summary

Roquette Group in Geneva, IL, is seeking a Senior R&D Process Engineer to lead complex process development, optimization, and manufacturing support for starch, sugar, and polyol products. The role blends hands-on process engineering with experimental design and cross-functional collaboration with operations, R&D, engineering, and quality teams.

The candidate will independently lead technical work, contribute to plant-scale improvements, and drive safe, sustainable solutions to enhance yield,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5+ years' experience in process engineering, R&D, or manufacturing support within the starch, sugar, sweetener, polyol, food ingredient, chemical, or related industries.
• Demonstration of technical leadership may be considered for Senior level.
• Experience in at least 2 of the following areas: Milling; Starch hydrolysis; Industrial Chromatography; Production of by-products; Polyols production; Purification technologies; Drying technologies.
• Experience leading technical projects independently and working in manufacturing, pilot-plant, and laboratory environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to R&D and manufacturing-support projects from problem definition through plant implementation, ensuring scope, priorities, risks, timelines, and deliverables are clear.
• Design, execute, analyze, and document laboratory, pilot‑plant, and plant trials using sound experimental design and statistical data interpretation.
• Support process scale‑up, technology transfer, and implementation from laboratory or pilot scale to commercial manufacturing.
• Diagnose complex manufacturing issues using root‑cause analysis; evaluate alternatives and implement optimised solutions.
• Optimize process operations to improve quality, yield, throughput, energy efficiency, reliability, cost, and sustainability.
• Apply expertise in starch conversion, sugar and sweetener processing, polyol production, and related unit operations.
• Partner with manufacturing to understand constraints and implement practical improvements.
• Prepare technical reports, protocols, and presentations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers, scientists, interns, and co-ops in process engineering and data analysis.
• Maintain compliance with HSE, food safety, quality and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Process engineering

R&D leadership

Laboratory experimentation

Pilot plant

Scale-up

Milling

Starch hydrolysis

Industrial chromatography

Purification technologies

Drying technologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Job description

The Role:

We are looking for our next Senior R&D Process Engineer within our Americas R&D Team.

Roquette is a leader in plant-based ingredients, dedicated to innovation and excellence. The Americas R&D Team is seeking an R&D Process Engineer or Senior R&D Process Engineer to contribute to and lead complex process development, optimization, and manufacturing-support projects for its starch, sugar, sweetener, and polyol businesses.

This hands‑on role combines advanced process‑engineering expertise with strong experimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, and cross‑functional collaboration. The successful candidate will work closely with manufacturing teams to develop practical, sustainable solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, yield, capacity, cost, and process efficiency. The role requires the ability to independently lead technical work while communicating effectively with operations, R&D, Engineering, Quality, HSE, and global technical teams.

This position is located Geneva, IL.

Compensation:

This position may be filled at either the R&D Process Engineer or Senior R&D Process Engineer level. The current salary range for this position is estimated to be $72,000 - $120,000. In addition, this position may also be eligible to earn performance‑based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, qualifications, experience, location, and level at which the candidate is hired.

What We Offer:

• A highly collaborative team environment with ample room for exponential career growth.

• Competitive pay, annual performance bonus, comprehensive benefits, 6.2% company retirement contribution, and professional development opportunities.

• Generous paid time off and 12 annual paid company holidays.

• 12 weeks 100% paid maternity leave, and up to 4 weeks 100% paid parental leave (including adoption/surrogacy/foster care leave) for non‑birthing parents.

• Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement program for select roles.

• Annual wellness benefit and wellness centered programs focused on your health needs.

What You’ll Do:

Project Execution and Process Development

• Lead and contribute to R&D and manufacturing‑support projects from problem definition through plant implementation, ensuring scope, priorities, risks, timelines, and deliverables are clear and aligned with business needs.

• Design, execute, analyze, and document laboratory, pilot‑plant, and plant trials using sound experimental design, appropriate analytical methods, and statistically valid data interpretation.

• Support process scale‑up, technology transfer, and implementation of new or improved processes from laboratory or pilot scale to commercial manufacturing.

Process Optimization and Troubleshooting

• Diagnose complex manufacturing and process‑performance issues using structured root‑cause analysis; evaluate alternatives and recommend technical and economically sound solutions.

• Optimize process operations to improve product quality, yield, throughput, energy efficiency, reliability, cost, and sustainability through process‑engineering and continuous‑improvement principles.

Technical Expertise

• Apply technical expertise in starch conversion and modification, sugar and sweetener processing, polyol production, and the related process‑unit operations.

• Provide subject‑matter expertise in separations, including enzymatic reactions, hydrogenation, centrifugation, membrane systems, chromatography, ion exchange, evaporation, crystallization, and drying.

Manufacturing Partnership and Collaboration

• Partner directly with manufacturing personnel to understand plant constraints, incorporate operational experience, and jointly implement safe, practical, and sustainable improvements.

• Collaborate with internal and external technical experts to share knowledge, resolve challenges, and identify opportunities for innovation.

Technical Communication and Team Development

• Prepare clear technical reports, trial protocols, process recommendations, presentations, and project updates tailored to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

• Mentor junior engineers, scientists, interns, and co‑ops in process engineering, experimental methods, data analysis, and structured problem solving.

Safety, Quality, and Compliance

• Maintain compliance with applicable HSE, food safety, food quality, and regulatory requirements while participating in risk assessments and safety reviews.

What You’ll Need:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant discipline is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5+ years' experience in process engineering, R&D, or manufacturing support within the starch, sugar, sweetener, polyol, food ingredient, chemical, or related industries.
  Candidates with broader relevant experience and demonstrated technical leadership may be considered for the Senior R&D Process Engineer level.

• Demonstration of technical expertise in at least 2 of the following areas:

• Milling (dry and or wet)

• Starch hydrolysis (enzymatic or acid)

• Industrial Chromatography

• Production of by‑products (oil, gluten meal, gluten feed, etc.)

• Polyols production (hydrogenation)

• Purification technologies (ion exchange, filtration, activated carbon treatment)

• Drying technologies (evaporation, crystallization, etc.)

• Experience leading technical projects independently and working effectively in manufacturing, pilot‑plant, and laboratory environments.

Work Environment

• This role spends approximately 50% of the time in an office environment and 50% of the time in pilot plant or industrial plant environment.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to speak or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk, climb stairs, use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms; work in hot, cold and loud environments. Employee must be able to wear a respirator.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is a full‑time position. Days and flexible hours of work are required to meet facility demands.

Business Travel:

• 25% domestic travel expected.

• Occasional international travel may be expected.

AAP/EEO Statement

Roquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. “AAP, EEO, Drug‑Free Workplace”

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.