Staff Engineer - SME Membranes

Agropur, inc.; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 124,200 - 155,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) with 7% company contributions

Paid time off & holidays

Floating holidays

Job summary

Agropur Cooperative is seeking a membrane systems expert to lead design, operation, optimization, and strategic application of membrane technologies across our dairy processing network.

You will provide technical leadership on RO, UF, NF and MF applications, and guide capital projects through reviews and approvals while maintaining enterprise standards and driving adoption across facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (ChE preferred).
• Adequate knowledge of French required for positions in Quebec.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the enterprise subject‑matter expert for membrane separation technologies.
• Provide technical leadership for RO, UF, NF, MF applications.
• Lead technical reviews of major capital projects involving membrane systems.
• Serve as final technical authority for membrane‑related engineering decisions.
• Support strategic decisions regarding membrane system design, technology selection, and system optimization.

Skills

Membrane engineering

Process optimization

Technical leadership

Dairy processing

Vendor management

Cross-facility influence

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (ChE preferred)

Knowledge of French for Quebec positions

Job description

Job Overview

This role provides deep subject‑matter expertise in the design, operation, optimization, troubleshooting, and strategic application of membrane systems supporting dairy processing operations.

Benefits

• Salary range: $124,200 - $155,300 (based on skills, education, training & experience)
• Remote work (Monday‑Friday)
• Travel requirement: 50%
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short & Long‑term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) with 7% company contributions
• 3 weeks paid time off, paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, paid parental leave

Responsibilities

• Serve as the enterprise subject‑matter expert for membrane separation technologies.
• Provide technical leadership for RO, UF, NF, MF applications.
• Lead technical reviews of major capital projects involving membrane systems.
• Serve as final technical authority for membrane‑related engineering decisions.
• Support strategic decisions regarding membrane system design, technology selection, and system optimization.
• Make high‑quality technical decisions in ambiguous or high‑risk situations.
• Participate in concept development, feasibility studies, and engineering design reviews; review process designs and vendor proposals for membrane systems.
• Support Operational Excellence initiatives by addressing complex membrane performance, reliability and capacity issues, and identifying optimization opportunities.
• Build and maintain enterprise membrane system design and operating standards; ensure compliance in partnership with Engineering Governance, and drive adoption of standards across the network.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging membrane technologies; assess their potential to unlock new product platforms, create competitive advantage, or improve quality, cost, or functionality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (ChE preferred).
  Adequate knowledge of French required for positions in Quebec.
• 10+ years of experience in membrane system process engineering and/or capital project development/execution.
• Experience developing technical standards and specifications.
• Demonstrated expertise in membrane system design, operation, troubleshooting and optimization.
• Strong understanding of dairy processing.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; ability to influence technical decisions across multiple facilities and stakeholder groups.
• Experience facilitating technical reviews and driving follow‑up actions.
• Experience supporting capital projects.
• Experience implementing standards and effective change management to ensure adoption.
• Experience with whey processing, protein concentration, and dairy ingredient manufacturing.
• Experience working with leading membrane system suppliers and OEMs.

Diversity & Inclusion

Agropur welcomes people from all backgrounds and origins. Agropur is committed to providing a respectful and inclusive experience for all employees and applicants. We will work with candidates who request accommodation.

Legal Information: Agropur is an E‑Verify Employer (US Operations). View Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) View E‑Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish).