Sr. Application Engineer - Food Manufacturing Equipment

CareersInFood.com; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance-based bonus

Life and disability insurance

HSA and FSA options

401(k) plan with a net 4% employer map

Discretionary profit-sharing up to 5%

Job summary

CareersInFood.com is seeking a Senior Application Engineer to bridge customers, equipment manufacturers, and the Outside Sales Team. You will translate process requirements into effective sanitary pump/valve solutions and manage the full application process, from specifications to quotations, with travel as needed.

The ideal candidate has deep expertise in positive displacement pumps and sanitary systems, with strong communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field with 7–10 years of industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of sanitary processing equipment and fluid-handling systems.
• Proven ability to size, price, and quote pumps and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead technical resource from initial evaluation to project execution.
• Assess process conditions to develop practical, reliable equipment solutions.
• Size and select sanitary pumps, valves, and components per requirements.
• Interpret P&IDs and drawings to identify operating parameters and integration needs.
• Propose pump technologies and system configurations; explain concepts to diverse audiences.
• Provide coaching to junior engineers and support to sales teams.
• Travel to customer facilities ~20–30% for engagement.
• Develop detailed quotations and assist with pricing and proposals.

Skills

Positive displacement pumps

Process-equipment sizing

Sanitary valves understanding

Effective written/verbal/presentation

Customer-facing engineering

Leadership and collaboration

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, or related

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Relocation Assistance Available for Ideal Candidate!

Company Overview

Our client is a rapidly growing provider of sanitary processing solutions for the food and beverage industry. In addition to distributing pumps, valves, and related equipment, the company delivers value-added technical expertise that helps manufacturers improve process performance, reliability, and efficiency.

Position Overview

The Senior Application Engineer will be the technical link between customers, equipment manufacturers, and the Outside Sales Team. This position is responsible for understanding each customer's process, translating operating requirements into effective equipment solutions, and recommending the right pumps, valves, and system configurations.

The role encompasses the entire application process—from reviewing specifications and sizing equipment to developing quotations and presenting technical recommendations. Success requires deep knowledge of positive displacement pumps, sanitary fluid systems, and equipment selection, along with the ability to communicate confidently with customers and internal stakeholders.

This is an opportunity to:

• Take technical ownership of complex sanitary processing projects.
• Support leading food and beverage manufacturers, including Fortune 500 companies.
• Work across multiple industries within a stable, essential market.
• Contribute to a fast-growing organization where expertise, initiative, and customer service are highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

Application Engineering and Customer Support

• Act as the lead technical resource for customers from initial evaluation through project execution.
• Assess process conditions, application requirements, and customer objectives to develop practical, reliable equipment solutions.
• Size and select sanitary pumps, valves, and related components based on performance requirements, sanitary standards, and lifecycle considerations.
• Interpret customer specifications, P&IDs, and engineering drawings to identify operating parameters, limitations, and integration requirements.
• Determine appropriate pump technologies, equipment sizes, valve options, and system configurations.
• Explain equipment operation and application concepts clearly to engineers, plant personnel, consultants, sales professionals, and other stakeholders.
• Lead technical reviews and present recommendations to customers and internal teams.
• Partner with plant managers, engineers, project teams, and sales representatives to deliver efficient and cost-conscious solutions.
• Conduct product and application presentations for customers, system integrators, consultants, and engineering firms.
• Provide coaching and technical support to junior engineers and application team members.
• Visit customer facilities as needed, with anticipated travel of approximately 20-30%.

Quoting and Sales Support

• Request and analyze vendor proposals for technical accuracy, completeness, and alignment with customer requirements.
• Develop detailed equipment and pricing quotations using supplier products and the company's in-house value-added capabilities.
• Assist the Outside Sales Team with equipment selection, application questions, pricing, and proposal development.
• Help ensure that recommended solutions are technically sound, commercially competitive, and clearly communicated.
• Complete other responsibilities as business needs require.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Seven to ten years of relevant industry experience; 10 or more years of process engineering experience is strongly preferred.
• Substantial experience with sanitary processing equipment, fluid-handling systems, or a closely related field.
• Advanced technical expertise in positive displacement pumps.
• Working knowledge of sanitary valve applications and configurations.
• Hands-on experience selecting, sizing, pricing, and quoting pumps or other process equipment.
• Strong understanding of sanitary process design and the integration of equipment into manufacturing systems.
• Proven ability to guide customer projects from the concept stage through implementation.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or comparable process-design software is preferred.

Attributes for Success

The strongest candidates will bring:

• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Sound technical judgment and a practical problem-solving mindset.
• The ability to prioritize and advance several projects at once.
• Strong collaboration and technical leadership skills.
• Initiative, adaptability, and comfort working in a fast-moving environment.
• The ability to operate effectively in an organization with streamlined decision-making.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual performance-based bonus
• Life and disability insurance
• HSA and FSA options
• 401(k) plan with a net 4% employer match
• Discretionary profit-sharing contribution of up to 5%

Critical Experience

Candidates should have demonstrated strength in the following areas:

• Sanitary valves and fluid-handling systems
• Process-equipment sizing and selection
• Equipment pricing and quotation development
• Customer-facing application engineering and technical support

Preferred Background

The ideal candidate has extensive experience applying positive displacement pumps within food and beverage manufacturing environments. A strong track record of evaluating applications and independently sizing, selecting, pricing, and quoting pumps, valves, and related sanitary process equipment is highly desirable.