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Cheese Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Great Lakes Cheese

Lead Cheese Technologist

Hiram, OH · On-site

$69K - $93K/yr

Job Overview The Lead Cheese Technologist is a technical leader responsible for advancing cheese ... Provide support to many areas of the business including production operations, engineering, and R&D.

Great Lakes Cheese

Lead Cheese Technologist

Hiram, OH · On-site

$69K - $93K/yr

Job Overview The Lead Cheese Technologist is a technical leader responsible for advancing cheese ... Provide support to many areas of the business including production operations, engineering, and R&D.

H. T. PROF Group

$150 - $200/hr

Sr. Process Engineer (Cheese & Liquid Systems) Location Stratford, WI Remote Available Type Direct Hire Sr. Process Engineer (Cheese & Liquid Systems) Location: Central Wisconsin with Remote ...

Hilmar Cheese Company

Senior Research Engineer

Hilmar, CA · On-site

$111K - $153K/yr

The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service ... Good knowledge of engineering science and technology as applied to dairy processes and food ...

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Cheese Engineer information

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$37K

$87.2K

$136.5K

How much do cheese engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for cheese engineer in the United States is $87,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $97,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cheese engineer?

Cheese Engineers are professionals who work on the design, development, and optimization of cheese production processes. They combine knowledge of food science, microbiology, and engineering principles to ensure cheese is produced efficiently, safely, and with high quality. Cheese Engineers may work in large-scale dairy manufacturing, research and development, or specialty cheese production, focusing on improving yield, consistency, and flavor. Their responsibilities can also include troubleshooting production issues and implementing new technologies in cheese making.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cheese engineer?

To thrive as a Cheese Engineer, you need a background in food science, dairy technology, or chemical engineering, often with a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with pasteurization equipment, fermentation monitoring systems, and quality control protocols is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the safe, consistent, and innovative production of high-quality cheese products.

What are some common challenges cheese engineers face when developing new cheese products?

Cheese Engineers often encounter challenges balancing flavor, texture, and shelf life while adhering to food safety regulations. Developing new cheeses requires careful experimentation with cultures, enzymes, and aging processes, and even minor adjustments can impact the final product. Additionally, Cheese Engineers must collaborate closely with quality assurance, production, and marketing teams to ensure new products meet both technical standards and consumer preferences.

What is the difference between Cheese Engineer vs Dairy Technologist?

AspectCheese EngineerDairy Technologist
CredentialsDegree in Food Science or Dairy Technology, certifications in cheese productionDegree in Food Science, Dairy Technology, or related field, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, R&D labs focused on cheese manufacturingProcessing plants, quality control labs, product development settings
Industry UsagePrimarily in cheese production companies and dairy manufacturersBroader dairy industry including milk processing, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products

Cheese Engineers specialize in designing and optimizing cheese production processes, focusing on cheese-specific techniques. Dairy Technologists have a broader role in the dairy industry, working across various dairy products. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but Cheese Engineers focus more on cheese-specific processes, while Dairy Technologists cover a wider range of dairy products and technologies.

What are popular job titles related to Cheese Engineer jobs?

For Cheese Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Cheese Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,220 per year, or $41.9 per hour.

Lead Cheese Technologist

Hiram, OH • On-site

Great Lakes Cheese
Food and Drink Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Great Lakes Cheeseexternal

$69K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Great Lakes Cheese rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 77 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

171st of 445 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Job Overview
The Lead Cheese Technologist is a technical leader responsible for advancing cheese performance, quality and capability across the organization. This individual plays a key role in guiding operational excellence, enabling portfolio growth, and ensuring brand protection. Responsibilities include ensuring that our cheese products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and consistency and integrating state-of-the-art cheese technology and cheese knowledge into the GLC organization. In addition, the individual will lead and execute product and process continuous improvement projects as appropriate and provide support to other department projects and initiatives as directed.
Job Responsibilities
Cheese Quality:
  • Provide troubleshooting and continuous improvement technical knowledge in all matters regarding cheese production / processing operations.
  • Leads project activities, evaluates progress, and supports team members in the achievement of tactical projects / business objectives.
  • Develop product and process specifications based on acceptable tolerance intervals, through process capability studies and statistical methods.
  • Develop and implement procedures and methodology to improve efficiencies and quality.
  • Provide support to many areas of the business including production operations, engineering, and R&D.
  • Conducts research utilizing scientific and sound experimental methodology, while expanding and developing new technologies to deliver business results striving toward competitive, cost or technical advantage.
  • Lead the identification and exploration of new process technologies with an eye towards industry innovation and trends.

Training:
  • Makes presentations to sales, market, and business development personnel.
  • Maintain close contact with developments in the field, obtaining information from a variety of published and unpublished sources.
  • Drive best practices in cheese make, technologies and transfer knowledge into our cheese make operation plants and support external cheese supply chain initiatives.
  • Train manufacturing teams to ensure that cheese make knowledge is established and integrated at all levels.
  • Support the development of long-term cheese strategy and innovation roadmaps in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Serve as a resource for training and education.

Cheese Technologist:
  • Serve as a resource for the company regulatory, technical departments, operation, and customers as relates to cheese know how, including cheese standards, analytical/nutritional expertise.
  • Lead the development of new cheese types internally and externally with suppliers.
  • Develop and support the engineering organization for cheese make related projects and supporting business case studies, and tracking project(s) execution.
  • Provides technical oversight and troubleshooting support.
  • Collaborates with Procurement on "out of spec" cheese types and determine/influence which site and line is best used.
  • Participates in root cause investigations, corrective action planning and escalation management for cheese-related quality issues.
  • Stay ahead of the latest cheese technologies and trends.
  • Represents the company at industry events to oversee cheese and milk research projects.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and assess their potential impact on our operation processes.
  • Make recommendations for technology adoption based on feasibility to improve quality and cost-effectiveness.
  • Support business needs by working with cheese suppliers on process improvements, ultimately driving quality gains to meet business objectives in quality, cost, and profitability.
  • Assure business needs are met as a technical resource for plant production, FSQA and Procurement.
    Collaborates with plants (Operators, Supervisors, Managers, Cheese Graders) to ensure cheese make process meets quality and performance standards.
  • All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.
  • All GLC employees are expected to produce and promote our products and services in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.
  • Up to 80% travel.

Required Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Cheese Manufacturing, Food Science, Quality and or related field.
  • 4 years of cheese manufacturing, quality management experience.
  • In depth understanding of cheese technology and quality processes and related issues.
  • Ability to be a tactical leader who is comfortable establishing, communicating, and "hands-on" implementing the vision and deliverables.
  • Strong presentation, written, and verbal skills with the ability to communicate ideas and recommendations to non-engineer team members and leadership in a clear manner.

Preferred Education and Experience
  • 4-8 years of cheese manufacturing, quality management experience.
  • Cheesemaker and/or Licensed Cheese Grader.

Working Conditions
• Work is mainly performed in an office setting, with some time spent in a manufacturing environment
• Occasional exposure to industrial operations including: temperature extremes from approximately 35ºF to 100ºF; noise levels in excess of 85 dB; moisture and moving machinery.
EEOC & Disclaimer
Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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