Job Summary
The Process Engineer is responsible for optimizing and scaling up manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, ensuring product quality, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across dairy and plant-based beverage and yogurt production lines. This role partners with Operations, QFS, R&I, and Engineering to deliver safe, cost-effective, consumer preferred and scalable processes. The ideal candidate will bring strong communication skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to adapt in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Industrial Scale-up
• Monitor and optimize unit operations such as:
o Batching
o Pasteurization / UHT processing
o Homogenization
o Fermentation (yogurt, cultured products)
o Filling
o Equipment controls and automation
• Co-lead new process development & validation together with R&I PD leads & Ops Engineering
• Identify process bottlenecks and implement efficiency improvements
• Support line trials, scale-ups, and product commercialization activities

Continuous Improvement
• Lead or support Lean / Six Sigma initiatives (waste, yield, downtime, process capability)
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) on production issues
• Drive OEE improvement projects
• Develop and maintain industrial trial reports, SOPs, etc.

Quality & Food Safety
• Ensure compliance with:
o GMPs, HACCP, and food safety plans
o Pasteurization and thermal validation requirements
• Partner with QFS to resolve deviations and maintain regulatory compliance and deliver against consumer key criteria elements

Equipment & Capital Projects
• Troubleshoot processing equipment (tanks, mixers, heat exchangers, fillers) during new process design and scale-up
• Support design, commissioning, and startup of new equipment at both Pilot and Industrial sites
• Work with vendors and contractors during capital projects for both Pilot plant and Industrial scale
• Project Management of capital projects being implemented in Pilot Plant

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with:
o R&I on new product scale-up and experimental design
o Pilot Operations on scale-up
• Occasionally provide technical training to operators and supervisors
o Process Equipment SME

Physical Demands & Work Environment
• This role is primarily performed in a hybrid Manufacturing/ Office environment. This role will spend significant time in pilot and industrial environments. The employee may experience longer periods of time spent on their feet. The employee may be exposed to moderate levels of noise from plant equipment. The environment can be wet and with elevated temperatures at times.
• The employee will be asked to travel to support the scale up and commercialization of products from Pilot to Industrial scale. (approx. 40-50% travel)

The salary range for this position is $82,000-118,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.

This role is considered a "hybrid" position that allows for flexible work, meaning it is a role where collaboration with key stakeholders in Danone Hubs occurs. While you may have the option to work from home on a schedule as agreed to with your supervisor, you are also expected to regularly report to your assigned office location at least 3 days per week.

About You

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we're looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education & Experience:

Must Have:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Chemical/Process engineering, Food Engineering or related field
• 1-5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience
• Experience in CPG, food, or beverage manufacturing

Preferred:

• Knowledge of thermal processing (HTST/UHT)
• Exposure to aseptic/ ESL processing and/ or packaging
• Experience with:

• Dairy processing (milk, cream, yogurt)
• Plant Based Beverages (almond, oat, coconut, soy)
• Fermentation systems
• Membrane filtration expertise a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of:
  • Fluid flow, heat transfer, shear rates and mass balance
  • CIP and Sanitation systems
  • PLC/SCADA
  • CAD
  • MES or manufacturing data systems
• Data analysis skills (excel, Minitab, Power BI, Historian trending)
• Statistical Process control (SPC)
• Understanding of ingredient variability (e.g. plant vs dairy proteins)
• Experience dealing with:
  • Viscosity differences in different product matrices
  • Ingredient functionality (e.g stabilizers, emulsifiers) and shelf-life considerations
  • Fermentation cycles