Food Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Process Engineer will report to the Head of Commercialization and work closely in a cross-functional environment with Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Operations teams. This roleis responsible foradvancing Beyond Meat's innovative products from early feasibility through full production readiness, supporting manufacturing, and enabling successful, on-time product launches.

The Process Engineer will focus on food process engineering, process development, and scale-up, ensuring manufacturing systems consistently deliver high-quality products that meet defined specifications. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing processes during feasibility and pilot phases, followed by scaling, commissioning, and supporting production-ready manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate is an engineer with 1-2 years of relevant experience, strong process development fundamentals, and a clear interest in translating bench-scale concepts into pilot and commercial production-particularly within innovative food products. Success in this role requires a collaborative, hands-on, and results-driven mindset.

This position may require frequent and/or irregular travel. The successful candidate willdemonstratethe ability to apply scientific principles and data-driven methodologies to food process development, take initiative, remain organized, and deliver results aligned with projectobjectivesand timelines.

TASKS, DUTIES, & GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assistin the ideation, design, setup, and execution of pilot-scale experiments.

• Support new product production runs and commercialization activities.

• Identify, evaluate, and test new equipment and technologies for pilot-scale product development.

• Optimizeand troubleshoot processes and equipment to achieve target product quality attributes.

• Communicate process engineering learnings, results, and manufacturingcapabilities clearlyacross cross-functional commercialization teams.

• CollaboratebetweenR&D and Operations teams on new and renovated product development programs to meet programobjectives, manufacturability, timelines, and cost targets.

• Organizeand conduct process engineering development,includingPFDs, energy and mass balance, process and equipment trials, process design, specification,andcommissioning.

• Verifyfood manufacturing processes and equipment for production capability, scale, and readiness.

• Identifykey product and process parameters and scale-up factors critical to commercial success.

• Assess existing and emerging food manufacturing equipment and technologies; propose innovative solutions for future commercialization.

• Advance product and process development from feasibility through new product introduction (NPI) and production launch.

• Ensure design-for-manufacturability and process viability at pilot scale while meeting projectobjectives.

• Integrate quality and food safety requirements, including critical control points, into equipment and process specifications.

• Support equipment and toolingselectionby developing engineering specifications andassistingwith procurement, installation, and commissioning.

• Contribute to cost estimates, capital and expense budgets, and associated project plans for process engineering activities.

• Maintain and follow GMP and Lab safety protocols in compliance with EH&S guidelines.

Supervisory Duties (if applicable)

• None

EDUCATION,SKILLS &QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Biosystems Engineering or Food Process Engineering-required

• 1-2years of relevant food process engineering experience working with R&D, Commercialization, and Operations in NPI process development, production scale-up, and commercial launches-required

• Prior experience in the food industry-required

• Experience withGMP and SQFsystems-preferred

• Computer literacy in Microsoft 365 (Office, Teams, Outlook, etc.) DOE software, AutoCAD, CFD

• Proven engineering experience in agrowth-orientedbusiness environment,witha track recordofovercoming difficult challengestoachievebusiness and projectobjectives.

• Demonstrated success inprocess engineering development, scale-up, and commissioningincludinghigh-impactwork output, trials, and production launches.

• Strong problem-solving ability to simplify complex processes andimplement practical solutions.

• Excellentoral and written communication skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Willingness to travel up to25%to manufacturing facilities and suppliers.

• Hands-on involvement with equipment and experimental work during process scale-up.

• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods and perform physical tasks including climbing, kneeling, bending, andlifting upto 50 lbs.

• Position is in El Segundo, California and in a mix of Pilot Plant, Laboratory, Plant Facilities, and OfficeEnvironments;requires a tolerance for high worker traffic, close quarters, noise, odors, and varying room temperatures and lighting.