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Dairy Process Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Process Engineer The Process Engineer supports day-to-day manufacturing operations within a food ... The position is ideal for a food manufacturing professional, preferably with dairy or yogurt ...

Sr. Process Engineer

Reed City, MI · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ... As a Senior Process Engineer in our Reed City, MI yogurt plant, you will take ownership of the ...

Senior Process Engineer

Hudson, WI · On-site

$107K - $139K/yr

As the Senior Process Engineer for the group, you will be responsible for all phases of a project ... Dairy Spray Drying industry * Sound understanding of cGMP, PMO, USDA, 3A and related systems

Senior Process Engineer

Hudson, WI · On-site

$107K - $139K/yr

As the Senior Process Engineer for the group, you will be responsible for all phases of a project ... Dairy Spray Drying industry * Sound understanding of cGMP, PMO, USDA, 3A and related systems

Sr. Process Engineer

Reed City, MI · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ... As a Senior Process Engineer in our Reed City, MI yogurt plant, you will take ownership of the ...

Dairy or food industry manufacturing preferred with deep process knowledge including pasteurization ... engineering team where needed. * Proactive leadership, personal drive, and the ability to energize ...

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, food science, dairy processing or related field * 2-3 years of experience in dairy or food processing * Knowledge of Whey Protein Manufacturing Operations

The Process Engineer is responsible for the equipment improvement, standardization, technical ... Dairy Free, ST K ® Cold Brew Coffee ® , Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch ® . With approximately 5 ...

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Dairy Process Engineer information

See salary details

$49.5K

$92K

$142.5K

How much do dairy process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for dairy process engineer in the United States is $92,018.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Dairy Process Engineer vs Dairy Quality Assurance Technician?

AspectDairy Process EngineerDairy Quality Assurance Technician
CredentialsBachelor's in Food Engineering, Dairy Science, or related fieldAssociate's or Bachelor's in Food Science, Dairy Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, process developmentQuality control labs, production lines, inspection areas
Industry UsageDesigning and optimizing dairy processing methodsMonitoring product quality, ensuring compliance with standards
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Dairy Process Engineer focuses on developing and improving dairy production processes, while the Dairy Quality Assurance Technician concentrates on maintaining product quality and safety. Both roles are essential in dairy manufacturing but serve different functions within the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Dairy Process Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dairy Process Engineer, you need a background in chemical, food, or dairy engineering, often with a relevant bachelor's degree and experience in process optimization. Familiarity with dairy processing equipment, automation systems like SCADA, and quality control standards such as HACCP is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are critical soft skills for this role. These competencies are vital to ensure efficient, safe, and compliant production processes in dairy manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges Dairy Process Engineers face when optimizing production lines?

Dairy Process Engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining product quality while increasing production efficiency. Managing variables such as temperature, pressure, and sanitation requirements is critical, as even minor deviations can impact taste, safety, and shelf life. Additionally, engineers must collaborate closely with quality assurance, maintenance, and operations teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and implement process improvements. Adapting to new technology and evolving food safety regulations also requires continuous learning and flexibility.

What does a Dairy Process Engineer do?

A Dairy Process Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing processes involved in the production and processing of dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. They work to ensure efficiency, quality, and safety in the manufacturing process by implementing new technologies and improving existing systems. Their duties may also include troubleshooting equipment, monitoring production lines, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Dairy Process Engineers play a crucial role in maintaining product quality and meeting industry standards.
More about Dairy Process Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Dairy Process Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Dairy Process Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Dairy Process Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Dairy Process Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Dairy Process Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Dairy Process Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Dairy Process Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Dairy Process Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Dairy Process Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 23% Locum Tenens, 60% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,018 per year, or $44.2 per hour.
Process Engineer

Process Engineer

Actalent

Greensboro, NC

$70K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Process Engineer

Job Description

The Process Engineer supports day-to-day manufacturing operations within a food production environment, with a strong focus on batching, blending, and processing activities. This role drives improvements in batch consistency, standardizes processes across production lines and shifts, and authors and implements Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure safe, efficient, and repeatable operations. The position is ideal for a food manufacturing professional, preferably with dairy or yogurt experience, who has a proven track record of improving batch efficiencies while maintaining strict food safety and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

  • Support batching, blending, and processing operations to ensure consistent product quality, throughput, and adherence to specifications.
  • Standardize manufacturing processes across production lines and shifts to reduce variability and improve repeatability.
  • Author, revise, and implement Standard Operating Procedures for batch making, sanitation, and processing activities in a regulated food environment.
  • Partner closely with production, quality, sanitation, and maintenance teams to ensure procedures are practical, clearly understood, and consistently followed on the plant floor.
  • Analyze batch performance data to identify opportunities to reduce variability, waste, rework, and downtime.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing cycle time, improving yields, and increasing labor efficiency.
  • Support the scale-up of new or modified formulations into routine production while maintaining product quality and food safety standards.
  • Ensure all process changes and improvements align with food safety, GMP, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.
  • Assist with investigations related to batch deviations, quality issues, or process upsets, and contribute to root cause analysis and corrective actions.
  • Provide hands-on floor support during process changes, trials, and improvement initiatives to ensure smooth implementation and operator engagement.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support multiple production lines or facilities as needed, sharing best practices and standardized procedures.
  • Contribute to enhanced documentation, standardization, and reporting to support continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.

Essential Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or a related technical field.
  • 2 to 5 years of experience in food manufacturing process engineering.
  • Direct experience with batching, blending, and processing operations in a food production environment.
  • Demonstrated experience authoring, revising, and implementing SOPs in a regulated food environment.
  • Strong understanding of food safety principles, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
  • Proven ability to support manufacturing engineering and process improvement initiatives on the plant floor.
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with production, quality, sanitation, and maintenance teams.
  • Comfort working in a hands-on capacity on the plant floor, supporting operations during process changes and continuous improvement projects.
  • Strong analytical skills to evaluate batch performance, identify variability, and propose data-driven improvements.
  • Effective communication skills to translate technical concepts into clear procedures and training for operations teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

  • Experience in dairy or yogurt manufacturing, including familiarity with the unique characteristics of these products.
  • Experience improving batch efficiency and reducing process variability in a food manufacturing setting.
  • Familiarity with allergen controls and sanitation processes, including clean-in-place (CIP) systems
Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Greensboro, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $90000.00/yr.

Comprehensive medical benefits package for eligible employees and their families, PTO & 401k

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Greensboro,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.


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About Actalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Actalent connects passion with purpose. Our scalable talent solutions and services capabilities drive value and results and provide the expertise to help our customers achieve more. Every day, our experts around the globe are making an impact. We're supporting critical initiatives in engineering and sciences that advance how companies serve the world. Actalent promotes consultant care and engagement through experiences that enable continuous development. Our people are the difference. Actalent is an operating company of Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions.

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hanover, MD, US

Year founded

1983

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