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Food Processing Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Boar's Head Brand

Technician, Controls

Petersburg, VA

$29.50 - $38.75/hr

Provide equipment controls design review to ensure application in food processing environment ... Full understanding of HMI interface and programming * Full understanding of mechanically controlled ...

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Food Processing Engineer information

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$59.5K

$87K

$117K

How much do food processing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for food processing engineer in Virginia is $86,986.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,400.00 and $105,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a food processing engineer do?

A food processing engineer designs, develops, and improves methods for manufacturing food products, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. They work with equipment, process flow, and quality control standards, often using tools like automation systems and adhering to food safety regulations. Their role involves analyzing processes and implementing innovations to optimize production.

What is the highest paying job in food engineering?

The highest paying roles in food engineering typically include senior positions such as Food Processing Plant Manager or Food Engineering Director, which can offer salaries exceeding $100,000 annually. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, with compensation influenced by industry, location, and company size.

What are some common challenges faced by Food Processing Engineers in ensuring product safety and quality?

Food Processing Engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining strict safety and quality standards while optimizing production efficiency. They must regularly troubleshoot issues involving contamination risks, equipment malfunctions, or deviations from regulatory requirements. Collaboration with quality assurance teams and continuous monitoring of processes are essential to address these challenges. Staying updated with evolving food safety regulations and implementing new technologies for quality control are also key aspects of the role.

What is a Food Processing Engineer?

A Food Processing Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and optimizes processes and equipment used in the production, preservation, packaging, and distribution of food products. They apply principles of engineering, biology, and chemistry to ensure food safety, quality, and efficiency in food manufacturing. Their work often involves improving production methods, implementing new technologies, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Food Processing Engineers play a crucial role in bringing safe and nutritious food from farm to table.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain software engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or executive responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Food Processing Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical, mechanical, or food engineering, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, process control systems, and food safety regulations such as HACCP is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative design and operation of food processing systems, meeting both regulatory standards and production goals.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain senior software engineering roles can earn $300,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes management responsibilities or working in high-cost-of-living areas.

What is the difference between Food Processing Engineer vs Food Technologist?

AspectFood Processing EngineerFood Technologist
CredentialsBachelor's in Food Engineering or related field; certifications varyBachelor's or Master's in Food Science or Technology; certifications may include HACCP, SQF
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, R&D labsLaboratories, quality control, product development settings
Industry UsageDesigning processing systems, optimizing production processesDeveloping, testing, and ensuring food safety and quality

Food Processing Engineers focus on designing and improving food manufacturing processes, while Food Technologists concentrate on product development, quality, and safety. Both roles are essential in the food industry and often collaborate to ensure efficient production and high-quality products.

What are popular job titles related to Food Processing Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Food Processing Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Processing Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Food Processing Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Food Processing Engineer jobs near you

Manufacturing Engineer

Kipp and Zonen / Ott HydroMet

Sterling, VA • On-site

$72K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Imagine yourself...
Doing meaningful work that makes an everyday impact on the world around you.
Growing your expertise and expanding your skillset with every project.
Owning your ambition and fueling your career growth.
It's possible with a role at Ott HydroMet, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of your career-and the future of our planet.
At Ott HydroMet, a Veralto company, you will help protect the world's most valuable resource: water. We create critical water and weather solutions that ensure a safer future-detecting floods, optimizing renewable energy efficiency, and protecting the environment. You will join a collaborative, diverse team of engineers and scientists driven by innovation and real-world impact.
We offer:
  • Competitive compensation and benefits
  • Permissive Paid Time Off (PPTO)
  • Flexible and family-friendly work environment
  • Professional onboarding and training options
  • Career coaching and development opportunities
  • Health benefits (effective day one)
  • 401(k) with company match

About the role:
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Manufacturing Engineer / VES Leader is responsible for driving continuous improvement across the production department in Sterling, VA.
This role partners closely with the site leadership team to identify inefficiencies, optimize manufacturing processes, and deploy Veralto Enterprise System (VES) methodologies on the shop floor.
This is a fully on-site role where you will act as a hands-on leader within daily operations-troubleshooting issues, supporting production, and strengthening overall manufacturing performance.
In this role, a typical day will look like:
  • Lead and sustain continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes using VES/Lean methodologies
  • Identify process inefficiencies and implement Kaizen improvements to enhance quality, delivery, and cost metrics
  • Evaluate and introduce new manufacturing technologies, processes, and methods, ensuring successful integration into existing operations
  • Serve as the primary interface between Operations and R&D for new product introduction (NPI), ensuring design for manufacturability
  • Drive the day-to-day deployment of VES tools and practices across the site
  • Troubleshoot and resolve PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) related issues in close collaboration with production teams
  • Analyse engineering designs and documentation to define optimal manufacturing methods, tooling, and workflows
  • Influence cross-functional teams (Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain) to deliver business results

The essential requirements of the job include:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related discipline
  • 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or process engineering within a manufacturing environment
  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting PCBA designs and electronics manufacturing processes
  • Proven ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams
  • Strong continuous improvement mindset with experience applying Lean / Kaizen principles
  • Ability to work on-site and support daily production activities

Preferred qualifications:
  • Experience with Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) methodologies
  • Familiarity with Veralto Enterprise System (VES) or Danaher Business System (DBS)
  • Experience working in Lean manufacturing environments
  • Background in industrial or mechanical engineering, particularly in precision instruments or electronics manufacturing
  • Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and manufacturing scale-up

About Ott HydroMet and Veralto
Ott HydroMet is part of the Water Quality segment of Veralto (NYSE: VLTO), a $5.5B global leader focused on ensuring access to clean water, safe food and medicine, and trusted essential goods.
When you join Veralto's global network of 17,000 associates, you become part of a purpose-driven organization where your work has a tangible impact on the world's most vital resources. You will have the opportunity to grow your career, develop your skills, and contribute to meaningful innovation.
Together, we are Safeguarding the World's Most Vital Resourcesâ„¢.
Veralto is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.
US ONLY:
The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. An associate's position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.
The compensation range for this role is $80,000 - $95,000 USD per year.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.
US residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Veralto Corporation and all Veralto Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. We value diversity and the existence of similarities and differences, both visible and not, found in our workforce, workplace and throughout the markets we serve. Our associates, customers and shareholders contribute unique and different perspectives as a result of these diverse attributes.
The EEO posters are available here.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at applyassistance@veralto.com to request accommodation.
Unsolicited Assistance
We do not accept unsolicited assistance from any headhunters or recruitment firms for any of our job openings. All resumes or profiles submitted by search firms to any employee at any of the Veralto companies, in any form without a valid, signed search agreement in place for the specific position, approved by Talent Acquisition, will be deemed the sole property of Veralto and its companies. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Veralto and its companies because of the unsolicited referral.

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