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Food Research Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable ... Provide process engineering support for manufacturing operations * Lead process improvements ...

Head of Engineering

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $200K/yr

... materials research is done in the future * work with top-tier human capital in research ... Free Food & Snacks * Wellness Resources * Stock Option Plan Compensation * $130,000 - $200,000 ...

Head of Engineering

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$130 - $200/hr

Work with top-tier human capital in research, engineering, and venture capital Engineering Skills ... Free Food & Snacks * Wellness Resources * Stock Option Plan Compensation * $130,000 - $200,000 ...

Head of Engineering

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

... materials research is done in the future * work with top-tier human capital in research ... Free Food & Snacks * Wellness Resources * Stock Option Plan Compensation * $130,000 - $200,000 ...

We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable ... Provide process engineering support for manufacturing operations * Lead process improvements ...

We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable ... Provide process engineering support for manufacturing operations * Lead process improvements ...

We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable ... Provide process engineering support for manufacturing operations * Lead process improvements ...

6G Standards Research Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$162K - $315K/yr

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; a Ph.D. is strongly preferred * 5+ ... Free Food -- Our kitchen is always fully stocked, including lunch, protein bars, fruit, sodas ...

This is a hands-on role for someone passionate about food science and process engineering who ... Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Operations for smooth product scale-up.

6G Standards Research Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$162K - $315K/yr

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; a Ph.D. is strongly preferred * 5+ ... Free Food -- Our kitchen is always fully stocked, including lunch, protein bars, fruit, sodas ...

From medical supplies and electronics to food packaging and cosmetics, we create the building ... Provide process engineering support to successfully meet the Management of Change requirements.

New

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; a Ph.D. is strongly preferred * 5+ ... Free Food -- Our kitchen is always fully stocked, including lunch, protein bars, fruit, sodas ...

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; a Ph.D. is strongly preferred * 5+ ... Free Food -- Our kitchen is always fully stocked, including lunch, protein bars, fruit, sodas ...

With iconic and emerging food and beverage brands around the world, we deliver the best taste, fun ... You will be enrolled in a Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Packaging Engineering and other ...

Research Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$98K - $123K/yr

D. in Chemical Engineering (perferred) or related discipline (desirable experience) * Ability to ... Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and ...

Research Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$98K - $123K/yr

D. in Chemical Engineering (perferred) or related discipline (desirable experience) * Ability to ... Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and ...

With iconic and emerging food and beverage brands around the world, we deliver the best taste, fun ... You will be enrolled in a Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Packaging Engineering and other ...

With iconic and emerging food and beverage brands around the world, we deliver the best taste, fun ... You will be enrolled in a Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Packaging Engineering and other ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Research Engineering information

See salary details

$37K

$106K

$142.5K

How much do food research engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for food research engineering in the United States is $106,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food research engineering?

Food Research Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that combines principles of engineering, biology, and chemistry to develop, optimize, and evaluate processes and equipment used in the production, processing, packaging, and storage of food. Professionals in this area work on improving food quality, safety, and efficiency by designing innovative solutions for manufacturing and preservation. They play a critical role in ensuring that food products are produced sustainably and meet regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced by food research engineers when developing new food processing technologies?

Food Research Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring food safety and quality while introducing innovative processing methods. Balancing cost-effectiveness with compliance to strict regulatory standards can be complex, especially when scaling up from laboratory to industrial production. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including food scientists, quality assurance, and production staff—is crucial to address these challenges and ensure successful implementation of new technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food research engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Research Engineer, you need strong knowledge of food science, process engineering, and analytical methods, usually supported by a degree in food engineering or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, statistical analysis software, and quality control systems is commonly required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating on multidisciplinary teams and translating research into practical solutions. These abilities ensure the development of safe, innovative, and high-quality food products that meet industry standards and consumer demands.

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

AspectFood Research EngineeringFood Technologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Food Engineering, Food Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Food Science, Food Technology, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D centers, manufacturing plantsProduction facilities, quality control labs, R&D departments
Industry UsageDesigning processes, developing new food products, improving manufacturing methodsProduct development, quality assurance, food safety compliance

Food Research Engineering focuses on designing and optimizing food production processes and developing new food technologies, often involving engineering principles. Food Technologists primarily work on product development, quality control, and ensuring food safety. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, Food Research Engineers tend to focus more on process innovation, whereas Food Technologists concentrate on product quality and safety.

More about Food Research Engineering jobs
Infographic showing various Food Research Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,012 per year, or $51 per hour.

Research Engineer

Primient

Decatur, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Research Engineer | PrimientAbout Primient

Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. We're investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we're focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.

As a member of the Global Operation Support Team, the Research Chemical Engineer will be responsible for providing technical support across the Global Operations division and leading a portfolio of projects to support the Company and Department goals, focusing on cost reduction and operational improvement. The position will act as a change agent for process improvement implementations and improvement of capabilities of people and systems. This position will act as an extension of Primient' s continuous improvement (CI) program and will foster a culture of continuous improvement and sustainment while facilitating projects across the organization.

The candidate will be a self-starter, a team player, and capable of productively interacting with a diverse group, ranging from technicians to plant managers to project partners. The candidate must have strong communication and interpersonal skills and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with many processes. The candidate will lead projects and provide expertise to support and develop high-quality, cost-effective solutions.

You'll also join our structured development program: the Engineering Ladder. As your skills grow; you will progress into more responsible, impactful roles.

Engineer 1 > Engineer 2 > Engineer 3 > Sr. Engineer > Principal Engineer > Engineer Fellow

Key responsibilities: Research Chemical Engineer

  • Provide process engineering support for manufacturing operations
  • Lead process improvements projects, including:
    • Setup, design, and execution of experiments at bench and pilot scale
    • Evaluation and interpretation of experimental results
    • Provide economic analysis/assessment of current and future process concepts and technologies
      • Communicate frequently with key stakeholders to meet project goals and deadlines
  • Train technicians and other members of project teams on equipment use, data collection, and data analysis
  • Collaborate with internal partners to ensure effective technical transfer from the pilot plant to production environments, including documentation of new/updated key process indicators (KPIs)
  • Analyze opportunities as well as guide and plan actions around process improvement ideas
  • Foster collaborative and organizational learning
  • Monthly project reviews, management and growth of project pipeline, including the ability to move projects through the development stages and ultimately to completion.
  • Willingness to travel as required (generally <20%), primarily supporting our North America based operations

About You

We're looking for engineers who are keen to learn fast in an environment of excellence.

  • Required -
    • B.S. in Chemical Engineering or related engineering field.
    • Strong technical background and a willingness to learn.
    • 0-5 years of industrial experience, preferably within the food or other GMP environment. New Graduates accepted
    • Curiosity in how things work and what is needed to improve them.
    • Interact well with all roles.
  • Beneficial -
    • Practical hands-on expertise with equipment
    • Experience in process development, experimental design, statistical analysis, process optimization, and scale-up
    • Stem-to-stern project experience (i.e., process development, process scale-up, P&ID development, punch lists, commissioning, start-up, operations, etc.)
    • Working knowledge of various manufacturing processes and unit operations including centrifugation, evaporation, filtration, ion exchange, chromatography/SSMB and enzyme reactors
Total RewardsThe annual pay range estimated for this position is $82,053.60 - $102,567.00 and is bonus eligible.

Please note that while this range reflects the full spectrum of compensation available for this role, individual compensation will be determined based on several factors including your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities. During the interview process there will be an opportunity to discuss how your background fits into the pay range.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

  • Competitive Pay

  • Multiple Healthcare plan choices

  • Dental and vision insurance

  • A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions

  • Short- and Long-Term Disability

  • Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans

  • Paid holidays & vacation

  • Floating days off

  • Parental leave for new parents

  • Employee resource groups

  • Learning & development programs

  • Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future

Career Path & Culture

Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in - ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning.

Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow,

Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.