Sr. Principal Engineer, R&D - E2E Complex Processing Project Delivery

The Kraft Heinz Company; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 121,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Healthcare coverage

Wellbeing programs

401k plan

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company in Glenview is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer to lead end-to-end complex processing projects from concept to commercialization. You will drive technical delivery, develop detailed documentation, and ensure Right-First-Time launches across multi-site operations.

You will mentor junior engineers, apply CQV/FMEA/CPRA tools, and partner with R&D, Quality, and Operations to optimize processing and deliver robust manufacturing solutions. Some travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Food Engineering or related disciplinerequired; advanced degree(MS / PhD)preferred.
• Minimum8years of experience in R&D or Engineering roles within consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or a similar industry.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience executing end-to-end processing development projects, including pilot trials and scale-up to industrial production.
• Strong applied knowledge of processing commercialization tools including CQV, FMEA, CPRA, Process Design Scopes, and Transformation Flowsheets.
• Solid project management skills, with experience maintaining detailed project plans, schedules, and risk logs on multi‑stakeholder initiatives.
• Proficiency with project tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent), advanced Excel skills; familiarity with ERP systems (SAP).
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex processing data into clear recommendations for cross‑functional audiences.
• Experience with pilot line setup, scale-up, and industrial production launches, including multi-site experience preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10 to 15% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end technical delivery across complex processing projects, including technical briefing, concept development, technical design, learning plans, pilot runs, capital design, and commercialization handover to Operations/Supply Chain.
• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation including Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flowsheets, and Process Design Scopes, ensuring processing parameters meet defined quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance requirements.
• Apply processing commercialization tools (CQV, FMEA, CPRA) to identify and mitigate technical risks, drive design decisions, and ensure Right-First-Time launch readiness.
• Partner with Platform R&D, GDI R&D, Packaging R&D, Quality, Operations, and external suppliers to define processing requirements and success criteria, resolve technical trade-offs, and maintain project timelines and milestones.
• Lead and support pilot line trials and scale-up activities, translating learnings into robust commercial processing solutions.
• Contribute to STAR and Tech Review Board processes, preparing and presenting technical content that communicates design rationale, risk status, and commercialization readiness.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements throughout project execution.
• Support cost optimization and value engineering efforts that improve margin, sustainability, and reinvestment priorities.
• Serve as an informal technical mentor to junior processing engineers on the team.

Skills

MS Project

Smartsheet

Jira

Excel

Technical communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Mechanical or Food Engineering

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Description

Job Purpose

As a Senior PrincipalEngineer on the End-to-End (E2E) Complex Projects team, you will serve as a deep technical processing expert responsible for hands‑on execution of complex, high-impact processing projects from concept through commercialization.You willownthe technical delivery of assigned initiatives, partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders to translate processing concepts into manufacturable, Right-First-Time solutions. This role prioritizes technical rigor, executional excellence, and applied engineeringexpertiseover portfolio strategy or people management.

EssentialFunctions &Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end technical delivery across assigned complex processing projects, including technical briefing, concept development, technical design, learning plans, pilot runs, capital design, and commercialization handover to Operations/Supply Chain.

• Develop andmaintaindetailed technical documentation including Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flowsheets, and Process Design Scopes, ensuring processing parameters meet defined quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance requirements.

• Apply processing commercialization tools (CQV, FMEA, CPRA) to systematicallyidentifyand mitigate technical risks, drive design decisions, and ensure Right-First-Timelaunch readiness.

• Partner with Platform R&D, GDI R&D, Packaging R&D, Quality, Operations, and external suppliers to define processing requirements and success criteria, resolve technical trade-offs, andmaintainproject timelines and milestones.

• Lead and support pilot line trials and scale-up activities, translating learnings into robust commercial processing solutions.

• Contribute to STAR and Tech Review Board processes, preparing and presenting technical content that clearly communicates design rationale, risk status, and commercialization readiness.

• Maintain compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements throughout project execution.

• Support cost optimization and value engineering efforts that improve margin, sustainability, and reinvestment priorities.

• Serve as an informal technical mentor to junior processingengineerson the team, sharing appliedexpertiseand supporting capability development.

Key Outputs & Deliverables

• Deliver successful technical execution across concurrent complex processing projects within innovation and platform portfolios, meeting committed timelines, budgets, and technical performance targets.

• Achieve and sustain >95% Right-First-Time(RTF) launches across assigned projects, ensuring processing solutions meet manufacturability, quality, regulatory, and supply chain readiness criteria at first commercial production.

• Produce high-quality processing technical deliverables — including Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flowsheets, Process Design Scopes, FMEAs, and CQV documentation — that meet enterprise engineering standards.

• Generate clear, data-driven technical recommendations and risk assessments that enable informed go/no-go decisions at governance milestones.

• Contribute to team capability by sharing technical learnings, best practices, and processingexpertiseacross the broader E2E projects organization.

Expected Experience& Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Food Engineering or related disciplinerequired; advanced degree(MS / PhD)preferred.

• Minimum8years of experience in R&D or Engineering roles within consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or a similar industry.

• Demonstrated hands‑on experience executing end-to-end processing development projects, including pilot trials and scale-upto industrial production.

• Strong applied knowledge of processing commercialization tools including CQV, FMEA, CPRA, Process Design Scopes, and Transformation Flowsheets.

• Solid project management skills, with experiencemaintainingdetailed project plans, schedules, and risk logs on multi‑stakeholder initiatives.

• Proficiencywith project tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent), advanced Excel skills; familiarity with ERP systems (SAP).

• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex processing data into clear recommendations for cross‑functional audiences.

• Experience with pilot line setup, scale‑up, and industrial production launches, including multi‑site experience preferred.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10to15% of the time.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$120,800.00 - $151,000.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and savingfor the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coveragefor benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire aphysical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial – 401k,Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Glenview R&D Center, Heinz Innovation Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.