Lead Process Engineer

The Lead Process Engineer is a technically strong yet highly collaborative engineer who thrives on process design, partnership, and purpose. You bring deep experience in food or beverage manufacturing ideally within co-manufacturing environments and excels at designing, scaling, and optimizing sanitary, efficient, and sustainable production lines. Equally comfortable on the plant floor and in cross-functional project meetings, you lead through influence rather than authority, building trust-based relationships with co-packers and internal teams. You combine hands-on process expertise with strong project management skills, data-driven problem solving, and a builder mindset that turns complex challenges into practical, high-performing solutions. 

The Lead Process Engineer is responsible for designing, scaling, and optimizing food manufacturing processes in collaboration with R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and co-manufacturing partners. This role leads process and line design initiatives from concept through full-scale production, ensuring efficiency, food safety, and scalability while maintaining high standards for quality and sustainability. Acting as a key technical liaison with co-packers, the engineer drives process improvements, leads equipment and technology evaluations, supports new line installations, and manages technical projects that enhance throughput, reliability, and product consistency. They provide hands-on support during trials and startups, develop robust process documentation, and help strengthen both internal and external technical capabilities to ensure reliable, efficient, and compliant manufacturing performance. 

Process & Line Design 

• Lead end-to-end process and line design initiatives in partnership with co-packers, translating new product concepts into manufacturing, food-safe, and efficient operations. 

• Work cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and co-manufacturers to define product and process requirements, equipment needs, and infrastructure readiness. 

• Co-develop equipment and line configurations with co-manufacturing partners, balancing performance, flexibility, scalability, and cost while ensuring compliance with sanitary design and food safety regulations (GFSI, FSMA, FDA). 

• Evaluate and select technologies, equipment, and automation systems that enhance throughput, yield, product quality, and sustainability. 

• Support co-packers in designing and implementing new installations, expansions, and upgrades, ensuring long-term reliability, cleanability, and ease of operation. 

• Build and maintain strong technical partnerships with co-manufacturers to foster open communication, problem-solving, and continuous improvement from trials through daily production. 

Project Management & Execution 

• Serve as the technical project lead for process and line design initiatives, managing all phases from feasibility and design through commissioning, validation, and handoff. 

• Develop and manage detailed project plans, budgets, and timelines; ensure clear stakeholder communication and accountability for deliverables. 

• Coordinate cross-functional input from internal and external teams to align scope, specifications, and performance expectations. 

• Lead FATs, SATs, and validation trials with equipment suppliers and co-manufacturers to confirm process capability and quality compliance. 

• Support capital project planning, including cost estimation, justification, and ROI analysis for new lines or process improvements. 

• Drive adherence to project timelines and technical standards while balancing agility and practicality in dynamic co-manufacturing environments. 

Co-Manufacturing & Technical Partnership 

• Act as the primary technical liaison with co-manufacturers, ensuring consistent alignment on process design, equipment standards, and operational performance. 

• Evaluate new co-packers, verifying their technical capabilities, food safety standards, and alignment with company requirements. 

• Partner with co-manufacturers on capacity expansion and new line buildouts, providing guidance on layout, equipment selection, commissioning, and startup validation. 

• Lead troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and optimization efforts at partner sites, leveraging data to drive efficiency, quality, and cost improvements.  

• Promote proactive communication, shared accountability, and long-term technical excellence across the co-manufacturing network. 

Leadership, Documentation & Support 

• Develop internal process engineering capability, mentoring a junior engineer and helping strengthen the team’s technical depth, project management skills, and collaborative approach. 

• Support co-manufacturing teams by sharing knowledge, tools, and training resources that enhance collective process understanding and operational excellence. 

• Develop and maintain clear, standardized documentation — including process specifications, validation protocols, SOPs, and training materials — to ensure consistency and compliance across all partners. 

• Support on-site line startups, trials, and production runs to verify process performance and ensure products meet quality standards. 

• Travel up to 40% to co-manufacturing and supplier sites to oversee trials, provide technical support, and strengthen partner relationships. 

• Perform other tasks assigned to support company initiatives and operational excellence. 

• Minimum 5 years' experience in food or beverage manufacturing, process development, or scale-up engineering. 

• Experience working with HPP technology highly preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding of sanitary design principles and food safety requirements. 

• Proven ability to manage and develop direct reports, with experience leading engineers or technical staff. 

• Strong track record of collaboration with co-manufacturers, vendors, and cross-functional project teams. 

• Proficiency in process modeling, data analysis, and statistical tools. 

• Excellent communication skills and a hands-on, problem-solving approach 

• Ability to travel up to 40% required. Additionally, we “Farmers” do meet as a company and/or as a department a few times a year.  

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline. 

• Salary, Non-Exempt, Full-Time 

• The anticipated salary range for this position is $110,000.00-140,000.00. The actual hourly offer will carefully consider a few factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Certain positions are eligible for additional forms of compensation such as bonuses, stipends, equity, and role-specific perks.  

• Remote-first work environment  

• Annual Bonus  

• 401(k) program + 4% company match after three months  

• New Hire Remote Life Stipend + annual Nourish and Nurture Allowance  

• Monthly Cell and Internet Stipend  

• Quarterly Farm-to-Fridge home deliveries and Employee Discounts  

• New Parents: Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave, Baby Steps Back To Work, 3 months’ supply of Once Upon a Farm products, and breast milk shipping service and support for those who travel after birth for the duration of your breastfeeding journey  

• Unlimited Paid Time Off  

• Paid Volunteer Time  

• Paid Time Off to fulfill civic responsibilities, including jury duty and voting in local, state, and national elections   

• Medical Insurance for the employee is covered at 100% on select plans, with additional plan options at a reduced cost to the employee  

• Vision and Dental Insurance are covered at 100% for the employee and dependents  

• Life insurance  

• Flexible spending account and Health Savings Accounts for applicable plans  

• Employee assistance program (EAP)  

• All other benefits, leaves, and insurance as required by law, based on your specific residence  

• And so much more!