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Food Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Work with process development to develop process flow charts for engineering * Ability and ... Requirements for Senior Food Scientist I: Education & Experience: BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat ...

Work with process development to develop process flow charts for engineering * Ability and ... Requirements for Senior Food Scientist I: Education & Experience: BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat ...

Work with process development to develop process flow charts for engineering * Ability and ... Requirements for Senior Food Scientist I: Education & Experience: BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat ...

S.) in food engineering, chemical engineering, food processing, food chemistry, food science, or related discipline. Knowledge of thermal processing. At least 3 years of experience in food processing ...

... Engineering, Culinary Science, etc.) · 2-5 years of experience in food manufacturing or R&D (dairy or refrigerated foods preferred) · Strong understanding of food safety, shelf-life validation, and ...

Pizza Food Scientist Location: Milwaukee, WI Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery ... Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Sales, and ...

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Pizza Food Scientist Location: Milwaukee, WI Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery ... Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Sales, and ...

Pizza Food Scientist

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$77K - $90K/yr

PIZZA FOOD SCIENTIST Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery science, and bringing new ... Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Sales, and ...

Food Lab Technician

Lakeland, FL

$17.75 - $23.50/hr

Basic Qualifications: * BS degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Food Engineering, or related areas (Meat Science, Chemical Engineering, or hard sciences like Chemistry or Organic/Bio-chemistry)

PIZZA FOOD SCIENTIST Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery science, and bringing new ... Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Sales, and ...

Apply food science and engineering principles to deliver technical and innovative solutions for pistachio, almond, and nut-based products. * Independently manage complex technical projects, taking ...

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Food Engineering information

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$46.5K

$146.9K

$174K

How much do food engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for food engineering in the United States is $146,868.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do food engineers do?

Food engineers develop and improve processes for manufacturing, processing, and packaging food products. They apply principles of engineering, microbiology, and chemistry to ensure food safety, quality, and efficiency, often working with equipment, automation, and quality control systems.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

In the field of food engineering, salaries of $300,000 or more are uncommon and typically achieved by senior-level professionals with extensive experience, leadership roles, or specialized expertise. High compensation may also be found in executive or consulting positions within the broader engineering industry, but such salaries are rare for standard food engineering roles. Advanced degrees, certifications, and management responsibilities can contribute to higher earning potential.

What is food engineering?

Food engineering is a multidisciplinary field that combines principles of engineering, biology, and physical sciences to develop processes and systems for the production, processing, packaging, and distribution of food. Food engineers work to improve food quality, safety, and sustainability by designing equipment, optimizing manufacturing methods, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Their work is essential for mass-producing food products efficiently while maintaining nutritional value and taste.

What engineers make $500,000?

In the field of food engineering, high salaries reaching $500,000 are uncommon and typically occur at senior levels in large corporations or in executive roles such as Chief Food Engineer or Director of Food Technology. Achieving such compensation often requires extensive experience, advanced degrees, leadership responsibilities, and sometimes stock options or bonuses.

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

To thrive as a Food Engineer, you need a solid background in food science, chemical engineering, and process design, typically supported by a degree in food engineering or a related field. Familiarity with food processing equipment, quality control systems, and regulatory compliance tools—such as HACCP certification and CAD software—is often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork set top performers apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are essential for developing safe, efficient, and innovative food processing solutions that meet industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced by food engineers when working on product development teams?

Food engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing product innovation with food safety regulations, optimizing production processes for efficiency, and ensuring consistent product quality. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams—including food scientists, quality assurance, and marketing—requires effective communication to align technical constraints with business goals. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing consumer preferences and integrating sustainable practices into production can present ongoing challenges in this role.

What is the difference between Food Engineering vs Food Science?

AspectFood EngineeringFood Science
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or higher in Food Science, Chemistry, or related fields
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, process designLaboratories, research facilities, quality control
Industry UsageDesigning food processing systems, optimizing productionDeveloping new food products, analyzing food properties
Common Search/ComparisonFood Engineering vs Food Science

Food Engineering focuses on designing and optimizing food processing systems and manufacturing processes, while Food Science emphasizes developing new food products and analyzing food properties. Both roles often overlap but serve distinct functions within the food industry.

What is the highest paying job in food engineering?

The highest paying roles in food engineering typically include senior management positions such as Food Engineering Director or Vice President of Food Technology, which can offer salaries exceeding $150,000 annually. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and expertise in process optimization, quality control, and regulatory compliance.
More about Food Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Food Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Food Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Food Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Food Engineering jobs include:
Infographic showing various Food Engineering job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 31% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,868 per year, or $70.6 per hour.
Food Scientist

Food Scientist

Tyson Foods

Springdale, AR • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Tyson Foods rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 522 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

253rd of 385 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Job Details:

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

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for developing 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, and ensuring regulatory labeling and food safety requirements are met.Additional responsibilities include developing samples/prototypes of new products, modifying existing products, optimizing existing products, developing specifications for product production labeling, and compiling cost analysis information. 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.In addition, the person in this role will lead and execute cook validations for products in support of commercialization workstreams. This will include planning, conducting, documenting, and communicating cook validation studies across products, production lines, and fryer platforms to verify food safety, enable optimized cooking procedures, and support consistent restaurant quality.

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

  • Strong working knowledge of the following is a plus: poultry new product development and optimization including battered and breaded products as well as water jet portioning technologies.

  • 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 specifications that are 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 production 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 compile 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 Senior Food Scientist II:

Education & Experience:

BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field. Related degree with minimum of 8 years relevant Research and Development work experience. No degree with minimum of 15 years relevant experience.

Requirements for Senior Food Scientist I:

Education & Experience:

BS MS or PhD in Food Science Meat Science Food Engineering or related field. PhD with minimum of 2 years of relevant experience M.S. with minimum of 3 years of relevant experience B.S. with minimum of 5 years of relevant experience No degree with minimum of 10 years relevant experience

Requirements for Food Scientist II:

Education & Education:

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.

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.

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: Minimum 25% (12+ trips a year)

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

  • This includes customer meetings, visiting 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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