Research Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Research Engineer – Process Development (Contract)

Job Description

The Research Engineer Contractor, Process Development, plays a hands-on role in developing, optimizing, and scaling manufacturing processes for a wide range of food and consumer products, including baked, extruded, fried, and other processed systems. This role mirrors many responsibilities of a Process Development Engineer but at a Research Engineer level, assisting with higher-complexity projects, leading defined workstreams within broader programs, and independently driving lower-complexity assignments with guidance. The Research Engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to execute pilot plant and manufacturing trials, analyze process data, document findings, and translate insights into practical recommendations that support commercialization, process optimization, and capability growth.

Responsibilities

• Support hands-on process development and optimization across multiple food and consumer product manufacturing platforms, including baked, extruded, fried, and other processed product systems.
• Assist on higher-complexity process development projects while leading defined workstreams within larger programs under the guidance of engineering staff.
• Independently drive low-complexity process development and improvement assignments, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
• Plan, set up, and execute pilot plant trials and manufacturing trials to evaluate new processes, products, and equipment configurations.
• Operate pilot plant and factory equipment safely and effectively during trials, including start-up, changeovers, and shutdowns.
• Collect, organize, and analyze process performance data from pilot and manufacturing trials to identify trends, variability, and improvement opportunities.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis techniques to optimize process parameters and validate process changes.
• Perform root cause analysis and technical problem solving to address process deviations, equipment issues, and quality concerns.
• Support process scale-up and commercialization activities by translating pilot plant learnings into robust manufacturing processes.
• Conduct process capability assessments to evaluate performance, stability, and consistency of manufacturing operations.
• Contribute to manufacturing process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, yield, and product quality.
• Support equipment startup, validation, and troubleshooting efforts for pilot and production equipment.
• Evaluate ingredients, processes, and product attributes to ensure alignment with performance, quality, and safety requirements.
• Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), process guides, and technical documentation that clearly describe process steps and best practices.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation that summarize trial objectives, methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, and external partners to plan and execute trials and projects.
• Provide technical support to plant trials and factory operations, including on-site presence during key manufacturing runs.
• Ensure awareness of and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety practices during all development and trial activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and capability enhancement.
• Apply knowledge of moisture control, thermal processing, airflow systems, and process controls to improve product and process performance.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and project discussions, communicating technical findings and recommendations clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Use statistical software, such as Minitab when available, to perform data analysis, process capability studies, and DOE evaluations.
• Engage with suppliers and external manufacturing partners as needed to support trials, commercialization, and process troubleshooting.
• Contribute to new product development efforts by providing process input and supporting commercialization from concept through launch.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with process development and optimization in manufacturing environments, ideally within food processing or food manufacturing.
• Experience executing pilot plant trials and supporting plant trials and factory operations.
• Demonstrated ability to support process scale-up and commercialization activities from pilot to full production.
• Proficiency with Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis for process optimization and validation.
• Strong skills in data analysis and trend identification to evaluate process performance and capability.
• Experience with manufacturing process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and food safety practices relevant to food processing environments.
• Experience with equipment startup, validation, and troubleshooting for pilot and production equipment.
• Ability to perform root cause analysis and technical problem solving for process and equipment issues.
• Competence in technical report writing, documentation, and preparation of clear process summaries and recommendations.
• Experience developing SOPs and process documentation to standardize operations and support training.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, partnering with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Manufacturing.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort with hands-on equipment operation and adjustments.
• Experience with ingredient, process, and product evaluation to ensure quality and performance.
• Ability to conduct process capability assessments and interpret statistical results.
• Awareness of food processing and manufacturing operations, including thermal processing and moisture control considerations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in food processing, snacks, confectionery, or related manufacturing environments.
• Experience with extrusion, frying, baking, thermal processing, and moisture control systems.
• Understanding of airflow systems and process controls in food manufacturing environments.
• Experience working with pilot plants and supporting scale-up activities from lab to factory.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting process performance data in fast-paced R&D and manufacturing settings.
• Familiarity with manufacturing equipment and troubleshooting techniques for both pilot and production lines.
• Experience supporting new product development and commercialization projects.
• Experience in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Exposure to supplier interactions and external manufacturing support, including participation in supplier visits and technical discussions.
• Experience working in fast-paced R&D and manufacturing environments with multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience using statistical software such as Minitab for DOE, capability analysis, and data visualization (preferred).

Work Environment

This role operates in a mix of office, pilot plant, laboratory, and manufacturing environments, offering a blend of desk-based analysis and hands-on work. The Research Engineer regularly works with pilot-scale and production equipment, participating in equipment setup, operation, and troubleshooting during trials and manufacturing runs. The position involves close collaboration with Product Development, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams, fostering a highly cross-functional and project-driven environment. Day-to-day work may include exposure to heat, noise, food processing equipment, and industrial manufacturing conditions, requiring attention to safety procedures and awareness of GMP and food safety practices. Travel is expected approximately 20–50% of the time, depending on project needs, plant trials, supplier visits, and commercialization activities. The role requires the ability to lift up to 40 pounds and to support plant and pilot trials on the production floor as needed, reflecting a physically active and hands-on engineering environment.

This is a Contract position based out of Hershey, PA.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Hershey,PA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 3, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.