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Food Manufacturing Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$97K - $121K/yr

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

Napakiak Ventures

$65K - $84K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or ... Experience in regulated industries (e.g., automotive, aerospace, medical, or food manufacturing)

Napakiak Ventures

$65K - $84K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or ... Experience in regulated industries (e.g., automotive, aerospace, medical, or food manufacturing)

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Food Manufacturing Engineering information

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$80K

$123.1K

$154K

How much do food manufacturing engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for food manufacturing engineering in the United States is $123,079.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,000.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Food Manufacturing Engineering vs Food Processing Technician?

AspectFood Manufacturing EngineeringFood Processing Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related fieldHigh school diploma or associate degree, technical training
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes in factoriesOperate and maintain processing equipment on the production line
Industry UsageUsed by companies to improve efficiency and product quality

Food Manufacturing Engineering focuses on designing and improving production processes, requiring engineering credentials. In contrast, Food Processing Technicians handle daily operations and equipment maintenance, often with technical training. Both roles are essential in the food industry but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What is the highest paying job in food engineering?

The highest paying roles in food manufacturing engineering typically include senior engineering managers, plant directors, or operations directors, with salaries often exceeding $120,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of manufacturing processes and quality standards.

What engineers make $500,000?

In food manufacturing engineering, senior-level engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and specialized skills in process optimization or automation can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in leadership roles or with bonuses and profit sharing. Such high salaries are more common in large companies or executive positions overseeing multiple facilities.

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

To thrive as a Food Manufacturing Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, food science, and process optimization, often supported by a degree in chemical, mechanical, or food engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, process control systems, and industry-specific standards such as HACCP or SQF certifications is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating across departments and addressing production challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality food production in a competitive manufacturing environment.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

In food manufacturing engineering, senior-level engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and specialized skills in process optimization or automation can reach or exceed a $300,000 annual salary, especially in leadership roles or large companies. High compensation often involves managerial responsibilities, project management, or working in high-demand sectors within the industry.

What is Food Manufacturing Engineering?

Food Manufacturing Engineering is a specialized field that focuses on the design, development, and optimization of processes and equipment used to produce food products on an industrial scale. Professionals in this field apply principles of engineering, biology, and chemistry to ensure food safety, quality, and efficiency in manufacturing operations. They work on everything from developing automated processing lines to improving packaging and storage methods. This role is integral to meeting industry standards and regulatory requirements while also innovating for better productivity and sustainability.

What can you do with a food engineering degree?

A food engineering degree prepares individuals for roles such as food process engineer, quality assurance manager, or production supervisor in the food manufacturing industry. Graduates can work on developing, optimizing, and ensuring the safety of food production processes, often using skills in process design, food science, and equipment operation.

What are some common challenges faced by engineers in food manufacturing, and how can they be effectively managed?

Engineers in food manufacturing frequently encounter challenges such as maintaining product quality while optimizing production efficiency, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and hygiene regulations, and adapting to evolving automation technologies. Effective management of these challenges involves staying current with industry standards, collaborating closely with quality assurance and operations teams, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. Strong problem-solving skills, proactive communication, and a willingness to learn new technologies are essential for success in this dynamic environment.
More about Food Manufacturing Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Food Manufacturing Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Food Manufacturing Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Food Manufacturing Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Food Manufacturing Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Food Manufacturing Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Food Manufacturing Engineering jobs are:
Food Manufacturing Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Manufacturing Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $123,079 per year, or $59.2 per hour.
Process Engineering Manager, Food Manufacturing (Contract)

Process Engineering Manager, Food Manufacturing (Contract)

Just Food Company

Emeryville, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Please note: We are specifically seeking candidates with industrial/process manufacturing engineering experience (ideally food manufacturing) - not software, consumer product, or general mechanical engineering backgrounds.

We are seeking a highly experienced manufacturing/process engineering professional to support complex CapEx and infrastructure projects within food manufacturing and process production environments on a part-time/contract basis (~10-20 hours/week for ~6 months, with potential to extend).

This is not a general engineering role. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in food process manufacturing, chemical/process engineering, or similarly complex regulated manufacturing environments, including facility infrastructure, process equipment integration, utilities, and production line design.

Strong preference for candidates with hands-on experience in food, beverage, dairy, protein, ingredient, fermentation, or other sanitary/process manufacturing industries.

This contract requires travel up to 25% domestically and Canada. Ideally individual would be based in Bay Area/available for some onsite in-person meetings at our Headquarters in Emeryville, CA but it is not required.

Scope of Services

External Engineering Firm Sourcing & Evaluation

  • Identify, evaluate, and recommend qualified external engineering firms capable of supporting capital expenditure and manufacturing infrastructure projects.
  • Solicit proposals from selected firms for defined engineering scopes.
  • Provide comparative analysis of proposals, including technical approach, assumptions, cost structure, and schedule.

Technical Oversight & Value Engineering

  • Serve as the primary technical liaison between the company and selected external engineering firms.
  • Review and challenge engineering assumptions, cost estimates, and technical approaches to ensure designs represent cost-effective and value-engineered solutions.
  • Provide technical input on engineering feasibility, equipment integration, and manufacturing requirements.

Project Management & Coordination

  • Track engineering deliverables against agreed scope, milestones, and schedule.
  • Maintain organized documentation of engineering plans, deliverables, and technical decisions.
  • Coordinate cross-functional technical reviews and ensure incorporation of stakeholder feedback.
  • Identify risks, constraints, and potential delays early, and escalate appropriately with recommended mitigation strategies.

Facility Integration & Contractor Coordination

  • Coordinate with general contractors, Facilities Manager, and internal teams to support pilot plant facility integration, including ventilation connections, air handling systems, water supply, and drainage connections.
  • Ensure engineering plans align with facility capabilities and construction timelines.

Site Evaluation & Engineering Support

  • Travel to manufacturing or partner facilities as needed to evaluate sites, support engineering reviews, coordinate with site engineering teams, and assess feasibility of proposed engineering solutions.

Deliverables

  • Evaluation and recommendation of external engineering firms for project scopes.
  • Comparative proposal analysis and engineering vendor selection recommendations.
  • Project tracking documentation outlining engineering scope, milestones, risks, and status updates.
  • Technical review feedback and value-engineering recommendations for proposed designs.
  • Coordination of engineering reviews and documentation of key technical decisions.

Preferred Candidate Profile

  • 10+ years of engineering experience supporting industrial manufacturing, process manufacturing, or food production environments.
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline strongly preferred.
  • Significant experience supporting CapEx, facility expansion, utilities, infrastructure, and manufacturing process projects within food manufacturing or similarly regulated process industries.
  • Deep familiarity with food processing systems, sanitary process design, CIP/COP systems, piping, utilities, production line integration, and food-grade manufacturing environments.
  • Experience working within active manufacturing facilities where uptime, operational continuity, food safety, and production constraints must be carefully managed.
  • Proven ability to oversee and critically evaluate external engineering firms, contractors, equipment vendors, and technical proposals.
  • Strong understanding of value engineering, constructability, process flow optimization, equipment integration, and manufacturing feasibility.
  • Experience coordinating cross-functional stakeholders including operations, maintenance, quality, food safety, R&D, and external contractors.
  • Comfortable operating in lean, fast-paced environments with evolving priorities, ambiguity, and high ownership expectations.

Apply