Senior Process Engineer (Capital Projects)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries and bonuses

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Tuition assistance

Paid parental leave

401(k) plan

Job summary

Leprino in Denver is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to manage large-scale capital projects across their cheese and nutrition manufacturing network. This role requires at least 8 years of food or dairy experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Responsibilities include leading process designs, collaborating with manufacturing partners, and ensuring designs are operable. The role offers a competitive salary between $122,000 and $140,000 plus a potential annual bonus of 12%.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in food or dairy manufacturing, process engineering, and capital project execution.
• Demonstrated ownership of large, complex capital projects.
• Experience developing and reviewing P&IDs, equipment specifications, layouts, and plans.

Responsibilities

• Own large, cross‑functional capital projects from design to start‑up.
• Lead process design for cheese and nutrition manufacturing systems.
• Collaborate with Operations Support and Quality to integrate designs.

Skills

Process engineering fundamentals

Large project management

Collaboration with engineers

Mass balance development

CIP design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

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.

Benefits include 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.