Sr. Process Engineer (Cheese & Liquid Systems)

Keystone Distinction Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group is seeking a Sr. Process Engineer to lead dairy and liquid processing projects from concept through startup.

The role requires close collaboration with sales, automation, project management, mechanical design, and field teams while delivering compliant, high-quality systems. You will design, size, and specify equipment, develop P&IDs and process descriptions, oversee commissioning at customer sites, and ensure adherence to 3-A, ASME, FDA, and USDA standards.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio-Systems, or Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years in the sanitary dairy process industry.
• Knowledge of mass/energy balances, heat transfer, and equipment sizing.
• Familiarity with 3-A, ASME, FDA, USDA standards.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Audit customers' existing process lines and develop conceptual designs.
• Prepare mass/energy balances, heat transfer calculations, and equipment specs.
• Develop P&IDs, PFDs, process descriptions, and documentation.
• Lead commissioning, startup, and performance verification at customer sites.
• Collaborate with sales, automation, project management, mechanical design, and field teams.
• Support regulatory documentation and testing.
• Train operators and maintenance teams.

Skills

Strong communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio-Systems, or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Sr. Process Engineer (Cheese & Liquid Systems)

Location: Central Wisconsin with Remote available for the right candidate (US-based), 20-30% travel to client sites + potential international 1-2x/year

Comp: $140-160K base + full benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K w/ match, HSA/FSA, PTO, 10 holidays)

Reports To: Process Engineering Manager

Overview

Our client is a well-established sanitary process equipment and systems company serving the dairy and food industries. They design, fabricate, and commission turnkey processing systems for cheese, beverage, and liquid applications. This Sr. Process Engineer role spans the full project lifecycle: conceptual design through commissioning and startup. Heavy collaboration with sales, automation, project management, mechanical design, and field teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Audit customers' existing process lines; develop conceptual designs for cheese and liquid processing systems per customer requirements
• Prepare mass/energy balances, heat transfer calculations (production and CIP), and equipment specifications (pumps, valves, HXs, piping)
• Develop complete P&IDs, PFDs, process descriptions, and technical documentation for project execution
• Support proposal development with technical input and equipment sizing
• Lead commissioning, startup, and performance verification at customer sites
• Collaborate with project engineers, automation, installation teams, and contractors
• Support regulatory documentation and testing (HTST, system design specs, product quality safeguards)
• Troubleshoot process/equipment issues; perform root cause analysis
• Train operators, maintenance techs, and customer teams

Requirements

• BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio-Systems, or Electrical Engineering
• 5+ years in the sanitary dairy process industry (non-negotiable)
• Working knowledge of liquid process system design: mass/heat transfer calcs, piping flow/pressure, pump/valve/line sizing
• Familiarity with 3-A, ASME, FDA, USDA standards
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Someone currently in a process engineering role at a dairy equipment OEM, system integrator, dairy co-op, or cheese plant who wants design-heavy, customer-facing project work with variety and travel.
• Must understand cheese and liquid dairy processing, not just general food or pharma.