Conagra Brands

Process Engineer

Chicago, Illinois Full time

Reporting to the Manager R&D, you will support and lead multiple research and development projects that transition innovations from bench to Supply Chain. You will develop practical and critical skills to drive commercialization strength and deliver consumer-focused solutions designed for profitability, operability, efficiency, and vertical start-up. Your work will center on defining requirements for critical transformations, creating performance-based specifications, and exploring the widest possible solution space.

Your Impact

  • Learn and apply the Methodology of Product/Process/Package Development (MOPD).

  • Develop and define manufacturing processes that meet consumer and marketplace requirements for new products while achieving process, quality, and cost objectives.

  • Define the physical, chemical, and biological transformations required to produce new food products.

  • Execute bench-top and pilot plant testing to develop prototypes and validate hypotheses.

  • Review and analyze experimental results to provide process recommendations and prepare findings for leadership presentations.

  • Provide technical support in manufacturing facilities as needed.

  • Maintain accurate and complete records and distill them into Intellectual Property documentation.

  • Monitor consumer trends and emerging needs within the food industry.

  • Demonstrate flexibility in learning and applying new approaches to work.

  • Assist in providing technical leadership on projects as required.

  • Requires travel approximately 25% of the time, with peak travel reaching 40% as needed.

Your Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Food, or Biological Engineering or related field

  • 3+ years of related experience with process technology, process engineering or related industry experience

  • Familiarity with process documentation including Process Flow Sheets, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, Mass and Energy Balances, and Process Control Strategies.

  • Excellent communication skills—both verbal and written—with the confidence to present to leadership teams.

  • Knowledge of project management principles and practices.

  • Collaborative mindset with experience working across multiple functions.

  • Proven leadership capabilities in interpersonal, team, and organizational settings, coupled with sound decision-making skills.

  • Structured problem-solving expertise, preferably with Six Sigma or similar methodologies.

  • Ability to exercise technical judgment and prioritize effectively in dynamic environments.

  • Experience operating in a deliverables-driven environment with clear success criteria.

  • Competence in anticipating risks and implementing mitigation strategies.

  • Background in partnering with external vendors and suppliers on sensitive or confidential matters.

  • Strong understanding of Design of Experiment (DOE) methodologies.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Requirements

  • May lift up to 50 pounds occasionally

  • Willingness to work in pilot plant and production environment with exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, wet, slippery conditions and all food allergens.

  • Comfortable climbing stairs or ladders and moving safely around machinery.

  • Ability to drive a company or rental vehicle as needed.

Relocation is available for this position. Preference given to local candidates, if applicable.

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Compensation: 

Pay Range:$63,000-$93,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits:

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

  • Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
  • Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
  • Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
  • Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company:

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye ®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.