Senior R&D Engineer, Powder Processing

Keurig Dr Pepper; Burlington (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Keurig Dr Pepper seeks an experienced Senior Process Engineer to drive powder processing development and scale-up in a fast-paced beverage and ingredient environment. You will collaborate with Product Development to define specs, plan capabilities, and evaluate pilot investments while advancing CQV and safety standards.

The role requires hands-on process development, startup/commissioning experience, and strong communication skills in a team-focused, growth-oriented setting in Burlington, MA.

Qualifications

• Experience in powder processing for the food industry.
• Proficient in blending, spray drying, drying, compaction, and agglomeration.
• Knowledge of bulk solids handling, pneumatic conveying, and dust collection.
• Familiar with food safety standards (SQF, FDA, GMP).
• Experience creating PFDs and P&IDs.
• Ability to model unit operations and parameter estimation.
• Hands-on process development, startup, and commissioning.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Define powder product and processing specs with Product Development.
• Plan powder processing capabilities for long-term innovation.
• Support supplier eval, selection and management.
• Research and apply knowledge in particle engineering and processing.
• Develop commercial-scale experimental designs for granulation.
• Improve existing powder processing equipment and processes.
• Evaluate pilot lab investments across measurement capabilities.
• Create process flow diagrams and business case options.
• Provide CQV support for commissioning and verification.
• Use data analysis for data-driven decisions.
• Perform additional duties as required by management.

Skills

Powder processing

Food industry

Blending

Spray drying

Drying

Compaction

Agglomeration (high shear & fluid bed)

Extrusion

Bulk solids handling

Pneumatic conveying

Dust collection

Food safety (SQF/GMP/FDA)

PFDs & P&IDs

Unit operation modeling

Startup & commissioning

MS Office

Education

BS in food science or engineering

MS in related field

PhD in related field

Job description

Responsibilities

• Defining powder product and processing specifications in partnership with Product Development team
• Strategic planning for powder processing capabilities needed to enable long-term innovation pipeline
• Support supplier evaluation, selection and management
• Research in knowledge-base and expertise in the science of particle engineering and processing
• Development of commercial scale experimental designs and qualifications for granulation processes
• Improvements to existing processes, specifically powder processing equipment
• Evaluating and recommending pilot lab investments across measurement and processing capabilities
• Generation of process flow diagrams
• Creation of business proposals to demonstrate and evaluate various project options
• Provide technical support for commissioning, qualification and verification (CQV) processes
• Utilise statistical data analysis for data driven decision making
• Performs other duties as requested by management

Requirements

• B.S. in food science / engineering discipline with 10+ years of experience, M.S. with 7+ years of experience, Ph.D. with 2-4 years of experience.
• Knowledge and experience in powder processing with specific experience in the food industry required.
• Knowledge and experience with food processes such as blending, spray drying, drying, compaction, high shear agglomeration, fluid bed agglomeration, and extrusion.
• Knowledge and experience with bulk solids and material handling, including pneumatic conveying and dust collection is preferred.
• Knowledge of design requirements related to food safety, including SQF, FDA, GMP.
• Knowledge and experience in preparation of PFD's, P&ID's.
• Knowledge and experience in modeling unit operation processes, including parameter estimation and material modeling.
• Hands-on experience with process development, startup and commissioning.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Must be very organized and able to manage multiple project activities/priorities.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to be punctual.
• Positive attitude with ability to work a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Excellent MS Office skills.
• Strong understanding of coffee processing techniques a plus (green coffee cleaning, roasting, grinding, degas, and flavoring).
• Moderate travel required (0-50%).