Senior Product Engineer

neogen; Oakdale (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision on Day One

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Neogen in Oakdale, MN, is seeking a Senior Product Engineer to lead complex product and process improvement projects for microbiology lines. You will independently define experimental strategies, analyze data, and support lifecycle decisions while acting as a trusted SME for products, microbiological methods, and manufacturing processes.

You will own Design Specification Records, set material specifications, guide cross-functional teams through change management, and mentor engineers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in microbiology or related field plus 5+ years of relevant technical experience.
• Hands-on microbiology experience in products, processes, manufacturing, or lab systems.
• Experience designing experiments, interpreting complex data, and making technical recommendations.
• Experience leading technical projects or cross-functional workstreams.
• Experience defining or maintaining product/material specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex product and process improvement projects for assigned microbiology product lines.
• Independently define experimental strategies and lead studies supporting product changes and lifecycle decisions.
• Serve as SME for products, microbiological methods, manufacturing processes, and related technologies.
• Own and maintain Design Specification Records for assigned product lines, ensuring support by technical evidence.
• Define and maintain specifications for raw materials, components, supplies, and other inputs.
• Assess impact of changes and define studies to support qualification and implementation.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis; drive sustainable solutions.
• Guide cross-functional teams through change management and manufacturing transfers.
• Use scientific, statistical, and risk-based methods to evaluate data and make recommendations.
• Identify future improvement and capability-building opportunities.
• Mentor engineers, technicians, and technical partners.
• Champion Lean Six Sigma-driven continuous improvement in quality, service, cost, and capability.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Product specifications

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology/Biological sciences

Master's or PhD considered equivalent

Job description

What You'll Do

• Lead complex product and process improvement projects for assigned microbiology product lines.


• Independently define experimental strategies and lead studies supporting product changes, investigations, verification activities, and lifecycle decisions.


• Serve as a trusted subject matter expert for products, microbiological methods, manufacturing processes, and related technologies.


• Own and maintain Design Specification Records for assigned product lines, ensuring product requirements and design decisions are supported by sound technical evidence.


• Define and maintain specifications for raw materials, components, supplies, and other product inputs based on product requirements, data, risk, and manufacturing and supplier capability.


• Assess the impact of material, supplier, and specification changes and define the technical studies needed to support qualification and implementation.


• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis and drive sustainable solutions.


• Guide cross-functional teams through change management, material qualifications, manufacturing transfers, continuity-of-supply initiatives, and product refreshes.


• Use scientific, statistical, and risk-based methods to evaluate data and make technical recommendations.


• Identify future improvement and capability-building opportunities.


• Mentor engineers, technicians, and technical partners.


• Champion a Lean Six Sigma-oriented continuous improvement culture by leading data-driven improvements in quality, service, cost, process capability, and team effectiveness.

What You Bring

Requir ed

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline and five or more years of relevant technical experience. A Master's degree in a related scientific discipline with one or more years of relevant applied experience, or a PhD in a related scientific discipline, may be considered equivalent based on demonstrated technical capability and experience.


• Hands‑on experience applying microbiological principles to products, processes, manufacturing operations, or laboratory systems.


• Experience independently designing experiments, interpreting complex data, and making technical recommendations.


• Experience leading technical projects, investigations, or cross-functional workstreams.


• Experience defining, maintaining, or technically supporting product, material, component, or supply specifications.

Preferred

• Experience with food safety microbiology, diagnostic products, culture‑based methods, or regulated life science products.


• Experience supporting commercialized products and regulated manufacturing operations.


• Experience with Design Specification Records, design control, product lifecycle management, change control, verification, validation, material qualification, manufacturing transfers, or commercialization.


• Experience with Design of Experiments, statistical analysis, trend analysis, process capability tools, and risk-based decision making.


• Lean Six Sigma certification or demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem‑solving methodologies.

Why This Role Matters

Senior Product Engineers connect deep scientific expertise with business and customer needs. Your leadership will help preserve product design integrity, establish technically sound supply requirements, resolve complex risks, improve supply and manufacturing capability, and build stronger technical practices across the organization.

Compensation: The anticipated starting salary for this position is $80,000 annually , with additional bonus opportunities. Actual starting compensation will be determined based on factors including the selected candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, level of responsibility, and the scope of work associated with the position.

Why Neogen?

At Neogen we believe that taking care of our employees allows them to do their best work. When you join our team, you'll enjoy competitive benefits and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.

Benefits include:

• Benefits starting on Day One - Medical, dental, and vision coverage begin on your first day of employment.


• 401(k) with company match - Invest in your future with retirement savings and company contributions.


• Paid Time Off (PTO) - Enjoy generous paid time off so you can rest, recharge, and spend time with those who matter