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.
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