Sr. Process Engineer (Cheese & Liquid Systems)

Job Juncture; Stratford (WI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Job Juncture is seeking a Sr. Process Engineer to oversee the design, commissioning, and startup of cheese and liquid processing systems for dairy applications in Central Wisconsin.

The role collaborates with sales, automation, project management, mechanical design, and field teams across the full project lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in sanitary dairy processing, a related engineering degree, and strong communications skills.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio-Systems, or Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years in the sanitary dairy process industry (non-negotiable).
• Experience with liquid process system design: mass/heat transfer calculations, 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.

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.

Skills

Strong communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio-Systems, or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Sr. Process Engineer (Cheese & Liquid Systems)

Salary: $140,000 - $160,000 per year

Location: Stratford, WI

Posted: September 30 2026

Relocation Assistance: Not Available

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.