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Food Process Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Beyondmeat

Process Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

Integrate quality and food safety requirements, including critical control points, into equipment and process specifications. * Support equipment and toolingselectionby developing engineering ...

UPSIDE Foods

Food Process Engineer I

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

S. in Engineering with specialization in food science, food process engineering, chemical engineering or other related fields * Prefer candidate with 2-4 years experiences both as food process or ...

UPSIDE Foods

Food Process Engineer I

Emeryville, CA

$100K - $120K/yr

S. in Engineering with specialization in food science, food process engineering, chemical engineering or other related fields * Prefer candidate with 2-4 years experiences both as food process or ...

Beyond Meat

Process Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

Organize and conduct process engineering development, including PFDs, energy and mass balance, process and equipment trials, process design, specification, and commissioning. * Verify food ...

UPSIDE Foods

Food Process Engineer I

Emeryville, CA

$100K - $120K/yr

S. in Engineering with specialization in food science, food process engineering, chemical engineering or other related fields * Prefer candidate with 2-4 years experiences both as food process or ...

JRG Partners

Food Process Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Preferred Masters in Food Science/Engineering, Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or a related degree ? 3-5+ years of experience in process research in the food industry ...

Dennis Group

Entry Level Process Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

Co-op, intern or work experience with professional services, process engineering, and food and beverage firms is a plus * Interest in food safety and sanitary design principles and a desire learn ...

Eichleay, Inc

Process Engineers

Larkspur, CA

... food and beverage, and advanced manufacturing environments. At Eichleay, our Process Engineering team specializes in delivering innovative, safe, and optimized process solutions for complex ...

Eichleay, Inc

Process Engineers

Orange, CA

... food and beverage, and advanced manufacturing environments. At Eichleay, our Process Engineering team specializes in delivering innovative, safe, and optimized process solutions for complex ...

Sealed Air Corporation

Process Engineer

Madera, CA · On-site

$81K - $145K/yr

... food, enable e-commerce and digital connectivity, and help create a global supply chain that is ... Bachelor's degree in engineering required. * 3-5 years of experience in Process Engineering.

Sealed Air Corporation

Process Engineer

Madera, CA

$81K - $145K/yr

... food, enable e-commerce and digital connectivity, and help create a global supply chain that is ... Bachelor's degree in engineering required. * 3-5 years of experience in Process Engineering.

CRB

Process Engineer IV - West Region

Irvine, CA · On-site

Company Description CRB is a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture ... food and beverage industries. Our more than 1,400 employees provide best-in-class solutions that ...

CRB

Process Engineer IV - West Region

Irvine, CA

Company Description CRB is a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture ... food and beverage industries. Our more than 1,400 employees provide best-in-class solutions that ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood Process Engineering JobsFood Process Engineering Jobs in California

Food Process Engineering information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do food process engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for food process engineering in California is $90,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

In the field of food process engineering, high salaries reaching $500,000 are typically associated with senior roles such as director or vice president of engineering, often requiring extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership responsibilities. These positions may involve overseeing large-scale production, process optimization, and strategic planning within the food industry. Compensation varies based on company size, location, and individual expertise.

What is the highest paying job in food engineering?

The highest paying roles in food engineering typically include senior positions such as Food Engineering Managers or Directors, who oversee large production facilities and strategic planning. These roles often require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong leadership skills, with salaries reaching six figures in some cases.

What are some common challenges faced by food process engineers when scaling up production from pilot to full-scale manufacturing?

Food process engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining product consistency, ensuring food safety, and optimizing process efficiency when transitioning from pilot-scale to full-scale production. Equipment differences, ingredient variability, and changes in processing conditions can affect texture, flavor, and shelf life. Close collaboration with quality assurance, R&D, and production teams is essential to address these challenges and implement effective solutions that uphold product standards and regulatory requirements.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior food process engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and specialized skills in automation or project management can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in leadership roles or large corporations. High compensation often reflects expertise, industry demand, and geographic location, with some positions in the food manufacturing or technology sectors offering such salaries.

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

To thrive as a Food Process Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical, mechanical, or food engineering, often supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with process simulation software, food safety regulations, and quality management systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are important soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial to ensure efficient, safe, and innovative food production processes that meet industry standards.

What is food process engineering?

Food process engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on designing and optimizing processes used in the production, processing, packaging, and distribution of food. It combines principles of chemical, mechanical, and biological engineering to ensure food safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability. Food process engineers work on developing new food products, improving existing manufacturing processes, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Their work is essential in scaling up food production from small batches to large-scale industrial operations.

What is the difference between Food Process Engineering vs Food Technologist?

AspectFood Process EngineerFood Technologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Food Engineering or related field; often requires engineering licensureBachelor's or Master's in Food Science or Technology; certifications like CFTech are common
Work EnvironmentDesigning and optimizing food production processes, often in manufacturing plants or R&D labsDeveloping new food products, quality control, and product testing in labs or production facilities
Industry UsageUsed in process design, equipment selection, and process improvement within food manufacturingFocuses on product development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance

Food Process Engineers primarily focus on designing and improving food production processes, ensuring efficiency and safety. Food Technologists concentrate on developing new food products and maintaining quality standards. Both roles are essential in the food industry but serve different functions related to process optimization versus product development.

What is the career of a food process engineer?

A food process engineer designs, develops, and improves manufacturing processes for food products to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency. They work with equipment, automation, and quality control systems in food production facilities, often requiring knowledge of food science, engineering principles, and regulatory standards. Careers in this field typically involve problem-solving, process optimization, and compliance with safety regulations.
What are popular job titles related to Food Process Engineering jobs in California? For Food Process Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Process Engineering jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Food Process Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Food Process Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Food Process Engineering job openings:
Food Process Engineering jobs near you
Process Engineering Manager, Food Manufacturing (Contract)

Process Engineering Manager, Food Manufacturing (Contract)

Just Food Company

Emeryville, CA

Other

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