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Food Processing Engineer Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

... engineers, and seamless execution and delivery through strong partnerships with our operations team ... You will sell custom automation solutions across Consumer Products, Food Processing, Aerospace ...

HVAC Technician

Canton, MI · On-site

$28.50 - $41/hr

Ability to read & interpret blueprints or other forms of engineering drawings * Ability to read ... Maintenance experience in a food processing environment * Understanding of waste water system * HVA ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Processing Engineer information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$54.9K

$80.3K

$108K

How much do food processing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for food processing engineer in Detroit, MI is $80,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,300.00 and $97,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

How much do food processing engineers make?

Food processing engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers or those in managerial roles can earn over $100,000 annually.

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 Detroit, MI? For Food Processing Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Processing Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Food Processing Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI are:
Infographic showing various Food Processing Engineer job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 11% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,280 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Director, Core Product/Process Innovation, Innovation

Ilitch

Detroit, MI

$230K - $241K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Build a Bigger, Better, Bolder Future:

Imagine working for a company that measures its success based off the growth of its colleagues, a company that invests in its future by investing in you. Little Caesars is a company where our colleagues make an impact.

Your Mission:

Leads innovation initiatives specific to product, equipment and processes that simplify operations, create labor savings and/or improve consistency of product and procedure execution at the restaurant level. Analyzes processes and data to identify innovation opportunities. Collaborates with industry leaders to identify, scale and commercialize potential solutions. Leads planning, execution and building of a business case to substantiate the innovation or capture learnings to apply to future projects.

How You'll Make an Impact:

  • Subject Matter Expert in the Bakery Industry.

  • Subject Matter Expert in restaurant Operations, Little Caesars Operations is a plus.

  • Leads analysis of restaurant operations time motion data to identify and solve for simplification, labor savings and improvement to consistency of product and execution processes.

  • Initiates projects by developing sell-in model and presentation, presenting to leadership to gain approval and alignment on success metrics.

  • Collaborates with Operations, Suppliers, Finance, Franchisees, Equipment, and Development to deliver economically viable solutions that impact the restaurants by reducing labor hours and increasing bottom line operating income.

  • Develops and recommends suppliers and manufacturers for new and existing product, ingredients, restaurant equipment, and supplier's production equipment/lines.

  • Leads project management and development of project test plan, scale up and commercialization with clearly identified key metrics and decision gates associated with business case development.

  • Proactively engages with the bakery industry through networking, industry conferences, supplier visits, trade shows and trade journals to continually build and evolve knowledge.

  • Actively engaged in day to day planning, operations and testing execution in the bakery pilot plant and production plant(s) in support of approved projects.

  • Collaborates with Consumer Research to ensure consumer validation of product associated with process, equipment and/or production line changes. Key metrics identified, communicated and aligned upon at the beginning of the project with leadership updates at key decision points throughout the business case development.

  • Develops product and process specifications.

  • Works in Little Caesar Restaurants to continue to be an expert in the operations side of the business.

Who You Are:

  • Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Bakery Science, Food Science or Food Engineering,

  • 15 - 20 years of bakery research and development and/or bakery operations work experience. Supplemental experience in restaurant R&D, QSR preferred.

  • Extensive experience in product/process analysis, design and commercialization required.

  • Bakery pilot and production plant experience specific to design, operations and testing required.

  • Proven experience in data analysis and statistical evaluation.

  • Knowledge and experience of directing product development processes and consumer testing.

  • Ability to formulate bakery products in written form to produce food specifications.

  • Ability to work with food and operate food processing equipment in restaurant environment.

  • Ability to work any position in Little Caesar restaurant.

Where You'll Work:

  • Works in R&D/Innovation office and test kitchen. Field work in manufacturing plants.

  • Travel by car or airplane to stores and various locations (domestic and globally) for supplier visits/tours, ideation sessions, field food product testing, competition research and company business conference.

#LI-BA1

All items listed above are illustrative and not comprehensive. They are not contractual in nature and are subject to change at the discretion of Little Caesars Enterprises Inc.


Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to that individual's race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Company will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to permit qualified applicants who have a need for an accommodation to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.
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