R&D Process Engineer in McMinnville, Oregon - #71459 | VanderHouwen

Description

Job Id: 71459

R&D Process Engineer
Our client is seeking an R&D Process Engineer to support the development, refinement, and scale-up of food processing systems from early concept through commercial production. This role partners closely with product development and manufacturing teams to ensure processes are efficient, safe, and scalable while supporting innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role is onsite in McMinnville, Oregon.

R&D Process Engineer Responsibilities

• Translate product concepts and formulation intent into scalable, production-ready processes in collaboration with R&D and manufacturing partners.
• Support the development of new processing methods and enhancements to existing systems through experimentation and pilot-scale testing.
• Participate in identifying and evaluating innovative or emerging processing technologies.
• Assist with process optimization efforts to improve efficiency, yield, quality, and cost performance.
• Support the identification and implementation of value engineering opportunities across processing systems.
• Contribute to the evaluation and selection of new equipment and processing solutions.
• Coordinate with equipment vendors and external partners to troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret process data to support validation and continuous improvement efforts.
• Develop and maintain clear documentation, including process specifications, test results, and validation records.
• Ensure processes align with applicable food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

R&D Process Engineer Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, with a preference for Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• One to three years of experience in process engineering, packaging engineering, or manufacturing support within the food or consumer products industry.
• Foundational understanding of food manufacturing systems and process scale-up considerations.
• Hands-on experience supporting trials, pilot runs, or early-stage commercialization activities.
• Exposure to process optimization, continuous improvement, or efficiency-focused initiatives.
• Familiarity with automation, digital manufacturing tools, or modern production technologies.
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies is preferred.
• Awareness of sustainable processing or packaging considerations is a plus.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Organized, detail-oriented approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Salary: (DOE)

Benefits
Benefits are available to eligible full-time employees and include coverage for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long term disability, and matching 401k.

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