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Food Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Baking Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. * 3-5+ years of experience in food product development, food science, or bakery ingredient ...

R&D Food Scientist

Paterson, NJ · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Baking Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. * 3-5+ years of experience in food product development, food science, or bakery ingredient ...

R&D Food Scientist

Paterson, NJ · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Baking Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. * 3-5+ years of experience in food product development, food science, or bakery ingredient ...

R&D Food Scientist

Paterson, NJ · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Baking Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. * 3-5+ years of experience in food product development, food science, or bakery ingredient ...

R&D Food Scientist

Paterson, NJ · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Baking Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. * 3-5+ years of experience in food product development, food science, or bakery ingredient ...

R&D Food Scientist

Paterson, NJ · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Baking Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. * 3-5+ years of experience in food product development, food science, or bakery ingredient ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Engineer information

See salary details

$18.5K

$65.7K

$134K

How much do food engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for food engineer in the United States is $65,703.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a food engineer do?

A Food Engineer applies principles of engineering, microbiology, and chemistry to develop and improve food products, processing techniques, and packaging. They work to enhance food quality, safety, and shelf life while optimizing production efficiency. Food Engineers collaborate with food scientists and manufacturers to design equipment, improve preservation methods, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Their work plays a crucial role in making food production safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective.

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

A Food Engineer needs a solid background in food science, chemical engineering, and process design, typically acquired through a degree in food engineering or a related discipline. Familiarity with CAD software, process simulation tools, and knowledge of food safety regulations (such as HACCP certification) are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams help distinguish successful Food Engineers. These skills are crucial to ensure safe, efficient, and innovative development of food processes and products in a fast-evolving industry.

Are food engineers in high demand?

Food engineers are in high demand due to the growing need for food safety, product development, and sustainable manufacturing practices. The field offers opportunities in food processing, quality control, and research, often requiring knowledge of engineering principles and food science tools. Employment prospects are strong in both manufacturing and research sectors.

What degree do you need for food engineering?

Food engineers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in food engineering, food science, chemical engineering, or a related field. Advanced positions or research roles may require a master's degree or higher, along with knowledge of food processing, safety standards, and relevant tools or certifications.
More about Food Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Food Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Food Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Food Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Food Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Food Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,703 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Food Scientist - Breakfast Sausage

Springdale, AR • On-site


Tyson Foods
Food and Drink Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 553 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

298th of 443 rated food and drinks producers

Respectful managers


Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Job Details:

Applying to this requisition will put you into considering for either Food Scientist I, Food Scientist II. Level will be determined through the interview process.

Primary focus will be red meat Cost Optimization, Innovation, Technology Development and/or Quality improvement. Focus areas are developing emerging technologies, cost optimization and commercializing new and improved products and/or processes through guidance from their manager. This covers all stages of product development and process development including writing new product specifications, ensuring regulatory labeling and food safety requirements are met. The person in this position will have a strong working knowledge of the scientific methods and is expected to leverage knowledge related to ingredients, product formulation and food processing to support best in class development of new, innovative food products.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Working with and strongly influencing marketing, insights, sales, culinary, FSQA, operations and purchasing departments, coordinating with suppliers of ingredients, ensuring smooth startup for new product production processes

  • Modifying or optimizing existing products, developing specifications for product production labeling, and compiling cost analysis information.

  • Work multiple development and optimization projects of moderate complexity, independently, from concept through commercialization with guidance from manager. This includes planning, executing experiments, analyzing data, reporting results.

  • Execute the development process with activities that include bench top development, pilot plant testing, and scaleup production at a federally inspected research facility and final commercialization at full scale production facility

  • Help team to identify innovation that is treated as IP that can give Tyson a competitive edge in the industry

  • Analyze data to build product specification that is process capable

  • Present technical data or concepts to laypersons on their level of understanding

  • Compile cost analysis information and provide to product management

  • Ensure costing structure meets the financial expectations of projects

  • Work on cross functional teams across the organization for project completion that will ultimately help achieve our growth and EBIT strategies

  • Travel to plant product facilities

  • Take on and complete special projects as needed.

  • Develop culinary samples/prototypes of new products, modifying existing products, optimizing existing products, developing specifications

  • Develop product production labels and compiling cost analysis information

  • Strong working knowledge of the scientific methods and is expected to leverage knowledge related to ingredients, product formulation and food processing to support best in class development of new, innovative food products

  • Work with and influence cross functional team members (marketing, insights, sales, culinary, FSQA, operations and purchasing departments, coordinating with suppliers of ingredients) while ensuring smooth start-up for new product production processes

  • Work with process development to develop process flow charts for engineering

  • Ability and Initiative to grow within the organization and develop a personal development plan with your manager

Requirements for Food Scientist I:

Education & Experience:

  • BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field. PhD or M.S with no experience. B.S. with minimum of 2 years of relevant experience. No degree with minimum of 8 years relevant experience.

Requirements for Food Scientist II:

Education & Experience:

  • BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field. Alt. Protein science or equivalent Experience: PhD with no experience. M.S. with minimum of 2 years of relevant experience B.S. with minimum of 3 years of relevant experience. No degree with minimum of 8 years relevant experience.

Other:

Computer Skills:

  • Requires good computer skills with ability to fully utilize MS Office products and Tyson systems (or like systems).

Communication Skills:

  • Good verbal and written communication skills required

  • Presentation skills required

  • Must have the ability to effectively communicate with cross functional business partners

Special Skills:

  • Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Strong project management skills. Strong numerical skills

  • Understanding of product formulation, food processing and the Research and Development process

  • Understanding of regulatory labeling and food safety requirements

Supervisory: May supervise a team of hourly technicians that support a team of scientists.

Travel:

  • 25% - 12+ domestic trips per year

  • Travel will be required to accomplish our internal and external customer needs

This includes customer meetings, plant production facilities for testing and commercialization of new products, process trouble shooting and any other regular business needs

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Yes

Work Shift:

1ST SHIFT (United States of America)

Certain roles at Tyson require background checks. If you are offered a position that requires a background check you will be provided additional documentation to complete once an offer has been extended.

Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.


The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.


Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.


We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.


If you would like to learn more about your data privacy rights and how you may use that information, please read our Job Applicant Privacy Notice here.


Unsolicited Assistance: Tyson Foods and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for open positions within the United States. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee or applicant tracking system at Tyson Foods or its subsidiaries, without a valid written request and search agreement approved by HR, will be considered the property of Tyson Foods. No fees will be paid if the candidate is hired due to an unsolicited referral.



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