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Food Process Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hilmar Cheese Company

Process Engineer II

Hilmar, CA · On-site

We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping ... This position will provide Process Engineering support on all aspects of the manufacturing process ...

Sealed Air Corporation

Process Engineer

Madera, CA · On-site

$81K - $141K/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.

Kinder's

Senior Process Engineer

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Willingness and ability to travel (50%) * 5-7 years experience in process engineering or food manufacturing Personal Characteristics: * An ambitious individual that wants to grow their skillset at ...

Sealed Air Corporation

Process Engineer

Madera, CA · On-site

$81K - $141K/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.

Kosmos Corp

Quality Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Microbiology, food process engineering, or similar discipline. * Solid track record of successful implementation, and compliance of food manufacturing ...

GEA Group

Process Engineer

Patterson, CA

... in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more ... As a Process Engineer, you would be responsible for supporting customers by optimizing GEA ...

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 · 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 ...

Socket.dev

Senior Process Engineer

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$115 - $130/hr

Willingness and ability to travel (50%) * 5-7 years experience in process engineering or food manufacturing Personal Characteristics: * An ambitious individual that wants to grow their skillset at ...

Kinder's

Senior Process Engineer

Walnut Creek, CA

$115K - $130K/yr

Willingness and ability to travel (50%) * 5-7 years experience in process engineering or food manufacturing Personal Characteristics: * An ambitious individual that wants to grow their skillset at ...

Kinder's

Senior Process Engineer

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Willingness and ability to travel (50%) * 5-7 years experience in process engineering or food manufacturing Personal Characteristics: * An ambitious individual that wants to grow their skillset at ...

ASR Group

Process Engineer II

Crockett, CA

$81K - $151K/yr

The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener ... This is a hands-on engineering role that includes regular time on the manufacturing floor. DETAILED ...

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Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 23, 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 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food process engineer?

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 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 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.

How much do food process engineers make?

Food process engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers or those in managerial roles can earn over $100,000. Skills in process optimization, quality control, and familiarity with manufacturing equipment can influence salary levels.

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
Infographic showing various Food Process Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Process Engineer II

Hilmar Cheese Company

Hilmar, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Typical Day

The Process Engineer II is responsible for supporting the Company's strategic objectives through development of the optimum, most cost-effective process technologies used to manufacture Hilmar's products to enhance profitability, market position, and growth. This position will provide Process Engineering support on all aspects of the manufacturing process: maximizing productivity, reducing operating costs, and improving process sustainability through energy and water usage reduction. The work includes troubleshooting problems in existing processes, finding optimization opportunities that improve process capability, evaluating new technologies to determine their applicability, cost, and benefits to Hilmar, and designing new and/or improved processing lines. The Process Engineer II will focus on a specific manufacturing site and/or business area, provide support to other sites on discrete projects, as well as develop specialties based on business needs and accumulated work experience.

Job Responsibilities
  • Be a critical contributor to manufacturing site Process Improvement teams to deliver industry leading products and processes that help drive the business forward in its quest for operational excellence.
  • Spends time in production plants, identifying operational pain points and reviewing performance data to find opportunities to improve yield, quality, and throughput.
  • Lead troubleshooting of persistent, complex operational issues, providing win:win solutions that balance multiple KPIs and optimize total cost of ownership. Implement these in a manner that makes it easier for the business to execute and deliver value successfully and sustainably.
  • Works with appropriate cross-functional teams such as Operations, FSQA, Training, Maintenance, Engineering, or Operational Technology to implement changes.
  • Develop and implement process control strategies aimed at improving results and reducing process variability. Collaborate with Controls Engineers to test, debug, and deploy control programs effectively.
  • Lead Process Engineering components of new product development, experimental equipment and design, and plant trials. Utilize insights gained to guide final process design and commercialization.
  • Partnering with Project Engineering and cross-functional teams on capital projects, provide design decisions in new Process design. Develop P&IDs, perform mass balances, and develop functional descriptions. Ensure project design aligns with the project's business objectives.
  • Lead the Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) process within asset / capital investment projects to ensure successful execution, on-time startup, and delivery of business objectives.
  • Effectively document learnings and best practices; provide technical training to business stakeholders.
  • Stay up to date on latest available technologies, industry direction, and trends to continuously improve HCC's technology portfolio. Manage Hilmar's trade secrets and competitive advantage appropriately.
  • This role supports a primary manufacturing site, but may require 20 - 40% travel depending on business need and project activity. 
What You Will Need
  • B.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 2 years' manufacturing experience, or M.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 1 year manufacturing experience.
  • Ability to complete energy and mass balances
  • Ability to collect and analyze production data using statistical techniques
  • Ability to effectively summarize and present technical information to a variety of audiences
  • Experience with writing functional descriptions of physical processes
  • Ability to develop operational models of plant processes
  • MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint at intermediate level
What Will Put You Ahead
  • B.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 4 years' manufacturing experience, or M.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 3 years' manufacturing experience
  • Knowledge of unit operations commonly found in the food industry and waste-water treatment
  • Experience with clean-in-place (CIP) system design and operational principles
  • Certification or direct experience with Problem Solving methodologies (ex: Root Cause Analysis)
  • Knowledge of CQV (Commissioning, Qualification, Validation) criteria development and implementation
  • Experience with statistical analysis or process simulation software
  • Leadership and teambuilding skills
Physical Demands & Work Environment

The work is primarily performed in an office environment and the physical demands are characteristic of a mostly sedentary role. Specific details of the essential functions of the position are available in the Job Safety Analysis, made available on request. 

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

English Information | Spanish Information

Salary Range: USD ($75,539.00 - $113,309.00) ANN 

The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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