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Food Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

3P Partners

Process Engineer

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field * 2 to 5 years of experience in food or CPG manufacturing * Working ...

Just Food Company

Senior Product Developer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$146K - $193K/yr

What You'll Bring * Bachelor's degree in food science, food engineering, chemical Engineering, or a related discipline required. * Ideally 8 years of hands-on food product development ...

Cybercoders

Process Engineer III

Emeryville, CA

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. * Minimum of 5 years of process engineering ...

Archer Meat Snacks

Senior Food Scientist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Meat Science, or a related technical discipline. * 4+ years of experience in food product development, R&D, or food science within the Consumer ...

JRG Partners

Pilot Plant Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$135K - $160K/yr

Bachelor's degree in food engineering, food science or a similar discipline. ? experience in working with Pilot and Labs vendors and co-manufacturers. * possess experience working in a consumer food ...

Hilmar Cheese Company

Senior Research Engineer

Hilmar, CA · On-site

$111K - $153K/yr

Good knowledge of engineering science and technology as applied to dairy processes and food ingredient manufacturing. Good knowledge of experimental design, methods of data analysis, and basic ...

Juul Labs

Senior Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Background or active interest in food science or food engineering. A general curiosity about phase-changes, fluid dynamics, or food-contact consumer product architecture is a major plus. EDUCATION ...

Juul Labs

Senior Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Background or active interest in food science or food engineering. A general curiosity about phase-changes, fluid dynamics, or food-contact consumer product architecture is a major plus. EDUCATION ...

JRG Partners

Director of R & D

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$210K - $240K/yr

Bachelor's degree in food engineering, food science or a similar discipline; Master's degree or MBA a plus ? experience in working with ingredient suppliers and co-manufacturers * possess experience ...

Lindt and Sprungli

Chocolate Technologist

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

Independently plan and lead plant trials (internal or co-manufactured) Minimum Education & Experience Required * BS in food science, food technology, chemistry, chemical/biological/food engineering ...

Monster Energy

Product Development Manager

Corona, CA · On-site

$118K - $147K/yr

Prefer a Bachelor's Degree, Masters desired -- in a Scientific discipline (Food Science, Food Engineering, etc.) or related field. * More than 7 years of experience in product development of ...

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All JobsFood Engineering JobsFood Engineering Jobs in California

Food Engineering information

See California salary details

$45.9K

$144.9K

$171.7K

How much do food engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for food engineering in California is $144,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Where do most food engineers work?

Most food engineers work in food manufacturing facilities, processing plants, and research laboratories. They often collaborate with quality assurance teams and use tools like CAD software and process control systems in their work environment.

What do food engineers do?

Food engineers develop and improve processes for manufacturing, packaging, and preserving 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, engineers typically do not reach $300,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in specialized or executive roles in other engineering disciplines like petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering. Senior-level engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, or leadership positions in high-demand industries may approach or exceed this salary range. Salary levels depend on factors such as location, company size, and individual expertise.

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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

In the field of food engineering, earning $500,000 annually is uncommon and typically associated with executive-level positions such as chief engineering officers or senior management roles in large corporations. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership skills, and compensation may include bonuses and stock options.

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 are popular job titles related to Food Engineering jobs in California? For Food Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Engineering jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Food Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Food Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Food Engineering job openings:
Food Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Engineering job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 81% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $144,945 per year, or $69.7 per hour.

Process Engineer

3P Partners

Oxnard, CA • On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

  • Own process optimization and capital execution for a high growth food manufacturing operation.
  • Partner directly with plant leadership to improve throughput, yield, and operational performance.
  • Lead data driven process improvements and translate findings into actionable, ROI-backed capital projects

Position Overview
The Process Engineer will lead process improvement and capital initiatives within a growing food manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for optimizing production systems, improving efficiency and cost performance, and ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards while supporting scalable growth.
Reporting to the VP Operations, this position plays a key role in driving operational excellence across the plant. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with hands on execution, analytical rigor, and the ability to manage cross functional projects from concept through implementation.
Key Responsibilities
  • Analyze, design, and optimize manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, yield, quality, safety, and cost
  • Identify bottlenecks and implement solutions using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies
  • Lead and support capital projects including equipment installations, line modifications, and process upgrades
  • Develop and maintain process documentation including process flow diagrams, SOPs, and work instructions
  • Support root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives related to quality, safety, and operational issues
  • Partner with Operations, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to support new product launches and scale up
  • Collect and analyze production data to develop KPIs and improve plant performance visibility
  • Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMPs, FDA, USDA, and other applicable food safety regulations

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • 2 to 5 years of experience in food or CPG manufacturing
  • Working knowledge of food safety and quality systems
  • Demonstrated experience leading or supporting engineering projects in a manufacturing environment
  • Experience with capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, or formal project management methodologies preferred
  • Strong analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills
  • Ability to operate effectively in a fast paced, production focused environment

Compensation: $110,000 - $120,000

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