How will you fit in the big picture?The Senior Engineer, Salty R&D will support end-to-end process development, scale-up, and commercialization across Hershey's growing salty and baked snack platforms, including popcorn, extruded snacks, pretzels, fried snacks, and baked cracker/snack systems.
In this role, you will bring strong engineering expertise to help develop robust processes that deliver consistent product quality, improve efficiency, enable innovation, and expand capabilities across our manufacturing network. You will partner closely with Product Development, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to scale new snack technologies from pilot to full production.
This role reports to the Manager, Process Development and is based at the Hershey Technical Center in Hershey, PA.
What will you do?- Provide process development expertise across salty and baked snack platforms, including thermal processing, extrusion, frying, baking, drying, seasoning application, oil systems, airflow control, and overall process performance.
- Design and support process validation experiments to optimize throughput, yield, texture, color, moisture, energy use, and product consistency.
- Lead pilot-scale and full-scale trials for new processes, equipment modifications, and technology introductions.
- Partner with Operations and Engineering on equipment commissioning, FAT/SAT, and process validation.
- Troubleshoot complex manufacturing challenges related to texture variability, oil quality, seasoning adhesion, expansion, airflow, heat distribution, and other process factors.
- Develop process guides, operating windows, critical control parameters, technical documentation, scale-up recommendations, and engineering SOPs.
- Serve as an engineering lead on cross-functional innovation teams, helping connect formulation, process design, equipment capability, and manufacturing execution.
- Contribute to long-term platform capability roadmaps and continuous improvement opportunities in areas such as frying technology, extrusion, baking systems, airflow, seasoning application, productivity, and energy reduction.
Minimum Education & Requirements- BS degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related engineering field with 6-8 years' experience, MS or PhD in Food Engineering or related field with 2-4 years' experience. Intern and prior research project work will be considered; Salty Snacks process development experience is preferred.
- Experience with two or more of the following strongly preferred: popcorn, extrusion, frying, pretzels, baked snacks.
- Demonstrated success scaling new products or processes into manufacturing.
- Experience with DOE, statistical tools, and data-driven root cause analysis (e.g., Six Sigma).
- Experience leading plant trials and troubleshooting manufacturing issues.
Additional Requirements- Ability to work in plant, pilot, and lab environments.
- Ability to travel 20-50% depending on project and plant support needs.
- Must be capable of lifting approximately 40 lbs. during pilot-scale and equipment work.
- Must be comfortable working around heat, oil systems, noise, and industrial equipment.
Benefits and PerksAt Hershey, we offer competitive pay and a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, and life outside of work.
- Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness programs that support your physical and mental health
- Financial Security: Competitive pay, annual incentive opportunities, and a 401(k) with company match
- Time Off & Flexibility: Paid time off, company holidays, and flexible ways of working where applicable
- Growth & Development: Career development programs, learning opportunities, and internal mobility
Benefits may vary based on role, location, and eligibility.
