Food Process Design Engineer – Innovate and Optimize

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Life insurance

Professional development

Lab facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Design Engineer in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, to design, develop and optimize food processing systems and production lines.

You will translate concepts into safe, efficient manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements. A strong background in process engineering and the food & beverage sector is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process design and development within the food and beverage industry.
• Strong understanding of unit operations common in food processing (e.g., mixing, heating, cooling, separation, packaging).
• Proficiency in process simulation software (Aspen HYSYS, ChemCAD) and CAD software.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer new processing lines and equipment for food and beverage production, from concept to commissioning.
• Develop detailed process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Conduct feasibility studies and pilot plant trials to validate process designs and optimize parameters.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Operations teams to meet product specs and regulatory requirements.
• Perform process simulations and calculations to ensure efficiency, yield, and safety.
• Specify and select processing equipment for optimal performance.
• Oversee installation and commissioning of new equipment and process modifications.
• Troubleshoot process issues on the production floor and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and implement SOPs and operator training for new processes.
• Ensure designs comply with food safety standards (HACCP, FSSC 22000) and health and safety regulations.

Skills

Process design

Food processing

Process simulation

CAD

GMP/HACCP knowledge

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering / Food Engineering / Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

ChemCAD

AutoCAD / CAD software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Process Design Engineer in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, to design, develop and optimize food processing systems and production lines.

You will translate concepts into safe, efficient manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements. A strong background in process engineering and the food & beverage sector is essential.