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Meat Processing Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Beyond Meat, Inc., otherwise known as Beyond The Plant Protein Company™, is a plant protein ... The Process Engineer will report to the Head of Commercialization and work closely in a cross ...

Master's degree or higher in Meat Science, Food Science, Food Process Engineering , or a related technical discipline. * Experience within meat manufacturing operations. * Experience working in a ...

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Master's degree or higher in Meat Science, Food Science, Food Process Engineering , or a related technical discipline. * Experience within meat manufacturing operations. * Experience working in a ...

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... meat processing, agricultural, material handling, and industrial manufacturing sectors. The ... engineering, maintenance, operations, and procurement teams. Serve as a trusted advisor to ensure ...

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Meat Processing Engineer information

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How much do meat processing engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat processing engineer in the United States is $18.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and often leadership roles or working in high-paying industries or companies.

What are some common challenges faced by Meat Processing Engineers during production line optimization?

Meat Processing Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing efficiency improvements with strict food safety regulations, managing equipment maintenance to minimize downtime, and optimizing workflows without compromising product quality. They must collaborate closely with quality assurance, maintenance, and production teams to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions that meet both productivity and safety standards. Additionally, adapting to new technologies or process changes requires continuous learning and effective communication across departments.

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

To excel as a Meat Processing Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, food science, and meat processing technologies, usually supported by a relevant degree such as mechanical, industrial, or food engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, automated processing systems, and regulatory standards like HACCP is essential, and certifications in food safety are highly valued. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and optimize production processes. These abilities ensure product quality, operational efficiency, and compliance with safety and industry regulations in a highly technical and regulated environment.

What is the difference between Meat Processing Engineer vs Meat Quality Assurance Technician?

AspectMeat Processing EngineerMeat Quality Assurance Technician
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in food safetyFood safety certifications, quality assurance training
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, engineering labsQuality control labs, processing facilities
Industry UsageDesigning and optimizing processing systemsMonitoring quality, ensuring compliance

While both roles work within the meat industry, Meat Processing Engineers focus on designing and improving processing systems, whereas Meat Quality Assurance Technicians concentrate on maintaining product quality and safety. Understanding these differences helps employers and job seekers identify the right career path or hiring needs within meat production facilities.

Who are the Big 4 in the meat industry?

The Big 4 in the meat industry typically refer to Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and Smithfield Foods, which are the largest meat processing companies globally. Meat processing engineers often work for these companies, focusing on automation, quality control, and food safety standards within large-scale facilities.

What does a food processing engineer do?

A meat processing engineer designs, develops, and improves methods for processing meat products, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. They work with equipment, oversee production processes, and implement food safety standards, often using tools like HACCP and automation systems.

How much money do meat processors make?

Meat processing engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and employer size. Advanced roles or those with specialized skills in automation or quality control can earn higher wages, often exceeding $90,000 annually.

What are Meat Processing Engineers?

Meat Processing Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and oversee processes and equipment used in the production, packaging, and distribution of meat and meat products. They work to ensure efficiency, safety, and quality throughout the meat processing chain, from slaughtering to packaging. Their role often includes implementing automation, maintaining food safety standards, and optimizing production lines to reduce waste and costs.
More about Meat Processing Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Meat Processing Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Meat Processing Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Meat Processing Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Meat Processing Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Meat Processing Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,947 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

Meat Processing Expert

ConAgra Foods, Lamb Weston

Russellville, AR • Hybrid

$81K - $118K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Reporting to the Director of Project Management, you will serve as the regional technical leader driving operational excellence, standardization, and continuous improvement across production facilities that process raw meat proteins into finished and semifinished goods. You will partner closely with Subject Matter Experts, Site Specialists, and plant operations, maintenance, and process engineering teams to ensure best practices are adopted and sustained while supporting network capability development. A Taste of Your Responsibilities Provide technical leadership and regional guidance to site teams on meat processing. Share site level insights, challenges, and lessons learned across the network to strengthen knowledge transfer. Track adoption and effectiveness of Theory of Operations (ToO) documentation and operational standards. Facilitate crosssite collaboration and drive enterprise alignment. Support the development, enhancement, and deployment of ToO documentation including process flow maps, operating envelopes, minimum standards, troubleshooting guides, and training materials. Coordinate with sites to confirm priorities and resource needs for ToO execution. Break down work into clear, manageable streams with defined accountability. Validate technical standards and ensure they align with enterprise requirements. Organize and facilitate training for operations, maintenance, and quality teams, including classroom, handson, and onthejob training. Identify skills gaps and recommend targeted training solutions to support consistent performance. Mentor site specialists and junior engineers to support talent development across the network. Lead data mining and trending activities to identify lossreduction opportunities and ensure consistent outcomes. Support loss tree and instability trigger analysis, including causeeffect mapping and escalation protocols. Collaborate with site teams to prioritize and resolve major equipment losses, including case packer and cartoner downtime. Ensure ToO documentation is accurate, accessible, and aligned with enterprise standards. Participate in monthly knowledgesharing sessions to review action items, documentation updates, and capability metrics. Escalate unresolved issues to SMEs and align with enterprise governance boards. Promote a culture of continuous improvement, standardization, and technical mastery. Drive adoption of best practices and innovative solutions across the network. Maintain relationships with external experts and leverage industry trends to enhance operational capability. Ingredients Required for Your Success Bachelor's degree in meat science, food science, engineering, or a related field preferred. 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing with specific depth in meat processing. Deep technical knowledge of meat processing equipment and processes. Experience developing and delivering training programs. Strong analytical, problemsolving, and communication skills. Travel required up to 50-75%. Continuous improvement mindset and commitment to operational excellence. Comfortable working in both office and plant environments, including extended standing, climbing, and exposure to noise, temperature variation, and wet or slippery conditions. #LI-Hybrid#LI-EB1 #LI-MSL Compensation Pay Range:$81,000-$118,000The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee's actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees' equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.Our BenefitsWe care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursementWealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase planGrowth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursementBalance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunitiesOur CompanyAt Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions - within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.