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Food Engineering Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what's right, every time. We are Nourishing a Brighter Future. Job Summary Summary:

... food processing, metallurgy, biomedical, and material handling. We have an immediate direct-hire ... The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads manufacturing engineering activities in a high ...

Director of Food and Beverage Ready to join a dynamic company in the hospitality and service ... programming, pricing strategies, and promotion of club events. Additionally, the Director will ...

Fire Sprinkler Designer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

We are a small fire protection engineering firm looking for a fire sprinkler designer with good experience and a desire to work on interesting projects. We don't do malls or fast food restaurants, we ...

Fire Sprinkler Designer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

We are a small fire protection engineering firm looking for a fire sprinkler designer with good experience and a desire to work on interesting projects. We don't do malls or fast food restaurants, we ...

Director of Food and Beverage Ready to join a dynamic company in the hospitality and service ... programming, pricing strategies, and promotion of club events. Additionally, the Director will ...

We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what's right, every time. We are Nourishing a Brighter Future. Job Summary Summary:

Showing results 21-40

Food Engineering information

See Virginia salary details

$46.1K

$145.6K

$172.5K

How much do food engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for food engineering in Virginia is $145,608.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,500.00 and $171,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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.

Are food engineers in high demand?

Food engineering is a growing field with steady demand due to the need for food safety, quality control, and innovative processing techniques. Employment opportunities are available in manufacturing, research, and quality assurance sectors, often requiring knowledge of food science, engineering principles, and relevant certifications.

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 are popular job titles related to Food Engineering jobs in Virginia?

For Food Engineering jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Engineering jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Engineering jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Food Engineering jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Food Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Engineering job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,608 per year, or $70 per hour.

Senior Director, Engineering

Smithfield Foods

Smithfield, VA

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special - a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!

THE VALUE YOU'LL BRING:

Are you a driven and passionate leader with a knack for guiding teams toward success? Do you want to make a meaningful impact by producing quality food that nourishes families across America? If so, we want you to join Smithfield Foods, one of the top 25 consumer packaged goods companies in the country!

As our Senior Director of Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in managing and executing multiple capital projects across our manufacturing locations. You'll leverage your expertise in capital planning to oversee vendors, contractors, and engineering service providers, ensuring we deliver the highest value and stay ahead of the competition.

As a key member of the Smithfield Engineering Leadership Team, you will help shape and communicate the strategic vision for our engineering and technical operations. You'll lead, develop, and inspire an Engineering leadership team that drives operational success and excellence, all while making a direct impact on our mission to feed families responsibly and sustainably.

If you're ready to lead with purpose and be a part of something big, this is your opportunity to shine!

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

  • Capital Project and Engineering Leadership: You'll ensure successful execution of capital projects by managing processes and maintaining compliance with standards and regulations. Oversees capital programs at manufacturing facilities, improving cost, quality, service, and safety with the Production Engineering Leadership (PEL) team. Develops and implements project management standards to align with company and regulatory requirements. Supports strategic planning and continuous improvement to deliver value across the organization.

  • Leadership and Team Management: Leads and manages teams in Maintenance, Capital Project Management, Infrastructure, and Engineering Services, driving business objectives and delivering solutions on time. Partners with Human Resources to implement leadership development programs, enhance performance, and build a diverse, high-performing team. Fosters a culture of safety, communication, empowerment, and recognition.

  • Technology and Process Optimization: Identifies and evaluates new automation and technologies to improve manufacturing and distribution. Works with leadership teams to assess the technical and economic feasibility of manufacturing technology opportunities. Partners with Engineering Leadership to optimize equipment and infrastructure.

  • Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement: Develops and implements long-term plans to improve productivity and meet customer and quality standards. Shares best practices across business units and promotes continuous improvement. Ensures processes meet high operational standards and quality requirements.

  • Safety and Compliance: Promotes food and safety programs to ensure safe project execution. Ensures capital projects meet safety standards and regulatory requirements.

  • Budget and Project Oversight: Manages capital project budgets and ensures projects are completed on time and within budget. Supports the development of capital plans and ensures proper project preparation and execution.

  • People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, Business or related field and 12+ years of experience in Engineering management; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • 5+ years' experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.

  • Prior experience as a Project Manager or similar role, required.

  • Experience leading multiple, complex, major capital investments, required.

  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, and SAP.

  • Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills, required.

  • Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

  • Experience developing and implementing a capital project management methodology in a multi-plant environment.

  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  • High level of written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.

  • Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

  • Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  • Mobility: Some positions may involve frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

  • Standing: You may need to stand for up to eight hours each day, especially during site visits or meetings.

  • Weather Conditions: Depending on the job context, you might work in various weather conditions, including exposure to outdoor elements.

  • Terrain: If you visit project sites, you may encounter uneven terrain, so mobility and adaptability are essential.

IndSPR-M/E

The expected pay range for this position is $200,000 - $242,500 annually.

Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of thesalary or hourly wagethe company reasonably expects to pay for a positionat the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate's qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

Relocation Package Available Yes

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.