Senior Process Engineer (Capital Projects)

Leprino; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 122,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Leprino seeks a Senior Process Engineer to own large, high-complexity capital projects and lead process design decisions across our cheese and nutrition manufacturing network.

You will manage scope, technical direction, and execution from design through commissioning, partnering with plant teams and contractors to bring major systems online. This role requires 8+ years in dairy/process engineering and travel up to 70%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or related).
• 8+ years in food or dairy manufacturing, process engineering, and capital project execution.
• Ownership of large, complex capital projects with scope, budget, and schedule responsibility.
• Strong fundamentals: mass balance, thermal and fluid systems, CIP design, hygienic layout.
• Experience developing/reviewing P&IDs, equipment specs, layouts, and commissioning plans.
• Ability to work with equipment suppliers and contractors as a technical peer.
• Willingness to travel up to 70% with planned schedules.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver large, cross-functional capital projects from design through start-up.
• Lead process design for cheese and nutrition manufacturing systems.
• Co-design and co-develop systems with equipment manufacturers and partners.
• Serve as technical authority balancing cost, schedule, operability, and safety.
• Translate business needs into process concepts, layouts, mass balances, P&IDs, and commissioning strategies.
• Support installation, commissioning, and start-up with site presence.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Plant Engineering.
• Contribute to Leprino’s process and construction standards.

Skills

Process engineering fundamentals

Mass balances

CIP design

Hygienic layout

P&IDs development

Vendor collaboration

Project ownership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical/Mechanical or related)

Tools

P&ID tooling

Job description

Within our Corporate Project Engineering team located in Denver – Leprino is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to own large, high-complexity capital projects and lead process design decisions across our cheese and nutrition manufacturing network. This role carries full accountability for scope, technical direction, and execution from early design through commissioning, working directly with plant teams, equipment partners, and general contractors to bring major systems online.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $122,000 and $140,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 12%.

What You’ll Do:

• Own and deliver large, cross-functional capital projects, typically ranging from $15M up to $50M, from early design through start-up.
• Lead process design for both cheese and nutrition manufacturing systems, ensuring designs are scalable, operable, and grounded in plant reality.
• Partner with equipment manufacturers and engineering firms to co-design and co-develop systems, including proprietary solutions where required.
• Serve as the technical authority on assigned projects, balancing cost, schedule, operability, safety, and long-term performance.
• Translate business needs into process concepts, layouts, mass balances, P&IDs, and commissioning strategies.
• Support installation, commissioning, and start-up activities with intentional, planned site presence.
• Collaborate closely with Operations Support, Quality, Maintenance, and Plant Engineering to ensure designs integrate cleanly into existing operations.
• Contribute to the development and evolution of Leprino’s process and construction standards.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or closely related discipline).
• 8+ years of experience in food or dairy manufacturing, process engineering, and capital project execution.
• Demonstrated ownership of large, complex capital projects, including responsibility for scope, budget, schedule, and technical outcomes.
• Strong process engineering fundamentals, including mass balance development, thermal and fluid systems, CIP design, and hygienic system layout.
• Experience developing and reviewing P&IDs, equipment specifications, layouts, and commissioning plans.
• The ability to work confidently with equipment suppliers and contractors as a technical peer.
• Willingness to travel up to 70% in support of project execution, with travel planned in advance and typically occurring in short, mid-week blocks.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience across both cheese and nutrition processes, or the technical range to operate effectively in both.
• Background working with OEMs such as GEA, Tetra Pak, Alfa Laval, SPX, or similar food processing partners.
• Familiarity with dairy and food manufacturing standards, including USDA Dairy and 3-A Sanitary Design.
• Experience supporting commissioning and start-up of new or expanded processing lines.
• Comfort operating in environments where design decisions carry material operational and financial impact.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual’s unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?

Learn more at Leprino.com