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Food Engineering Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

Senior Food Scientist

Chicago, IL · On-site

Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. 3-5 years of research and development (R&D) experience, preferably within the food industry.

Actalent

Senior Food Scientist

Chicago, IL

Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field. 3-5 years of research and development (R&D) experience, preferably within the food industry.

McCormick & Company

Senior Food Scientist

Geneva, IL · On-site

$86K - $151K/yr

BSc in Food Science/Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field * Minimum of 10 years' experience in the food and/or flavor industry including: * At least 3 yrs. of Food Flavor ...

OFI

Senior Food Scientist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science/Technology, Food Engineering or a related field is required, Master's degree is preferred. * Eight (8) years of experience in food science required beverage industry ...

Linde

Mechanical Engineer

Burr Ridge, IL · On-site

$81K - $112K/yr

You have a Bachelor's degree in mechanical, equipment, controls, refrigeration, industrial, chemical, or food engineering required; Master's degree is preferred * A minimum of two (2) years of ...

fairlife

Senior Dairy Processing Engineer

Chicago, IL

$107K - $138K/yr

MS in Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or closely related field with a focus on dairy processing and/or thermal processing. * 5-10 years of progressive experience ...

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All JobsFood Engineering JobsFood Engineering Jobs in Chicago, IL

Food Engineering information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$47.9K

$151.3K

$179.2K

How much do food engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for food engineering in Chicago, IL is $151,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $178,200.00 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 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 are popular job titles related to Food Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL? For Food Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Food Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Food Engineering jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Food Engineering job openings:
Food Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Engineering job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,295 per year, or $72.7 per hour.

Senior Food Scientist

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

Elgin, IL • On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

John B. Sanfilippo & Son rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

318th of 435 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Description
The Senior Food Scientist is responsible for technical project leadership, new product development, product optimization, cost savings initiatives, and quality improvements across JBSS product categories. This role leads the development and commercialization of innovative private-label products, including nuts, trail mixes, snacks, bars, and related products, while partnering closely with internal teams, customers, and suppliers to drive business growth and innovation.
This position is on-site 4 days a week in Elgin, IL.
Functions of the Position:
  • Lead cross-functional product development and commercialization projects from concept through launch, partnering with Engineering, Operations, Packaging, Quality, and other stakeholders to develop and scale consumer-driven products.
  • Collaborate with internal teams, customers, and suppliers to support new product initiatives, sample requests, ingredient sourcing, sensory evaluations, and innovation opportunities.
  • Develop innovative, on-trend products that align with JBSS manufacturing capabilities while supporting cost optimization and value engineering efforts.
  • Support plant trials, production scale-up, and commercialization activities to ensure successful product launches.
  • Maintain product specifications, technical documentation, and R&D records while ensuring compliance with labeling, allergen, certification, and regulatory requirements.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and cross-functional partners to support business objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.

Education, Experience, and Knowledge
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline required; Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred.
  • Minimum of five years of experience in food industry R&D, product development, or related technical roles; private label experience preferred.
  • Proven track record of technical innovation, consumer-driven product development, and successful commercialization of food products.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects, define project scope, influence stakeholders, and drive results from concept through commercialization.
  • Knowledge of food regulations, labeling requirements, and Product Vision software is preferred.
  • Strong technical aptitude with the ability to adapt to changing business needs and priorities.

Skills and Competencies
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Strong project management, organizational, and documentation skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Sales, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and Engineering.

The starting salary range for this position is $99,625-$136,985. The base salary offered will be determined by factors including, but not limited to, experience, credentials, education, certifications, skill level required for the position, the scope of the position, and geographic location. In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for performance-based incentives subject to the terms of the underlying plan.
Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to support the well-being of our colleagues and their families. This includes health benefits, professional growth support, generous paid time off benefits to support work/life balance, retirement benefits and other programs to support financial wellness. A full listing of our extensive benefits package can be found on our Company website, located here: https://jbssinc.com/careers/
JBSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

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