Research & Development Process Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Build the Future of Rice with Riviana Foods! You may not know Riviana Foods by name, but chances are you know and love many of the brands we produce. For more than 100 years, our products have been part of family meals across America and around the world. As the largest processor, marketer, and distributor of branded and private-label rice products in the U.S., Riviana brings together trusted brands, innovative food technologies, and a global perspective to create products consumers enjoy every day.

• Make an Impact: Help develop products that reach consumers across the U.S. and around the world.
• Innovate: Work with multiple food technologies, including Ready-to-Serve, IQF, Instant, and Long Cook rice products.
• Collaborate: Partner with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Marketing, and other teams to bring ideas from concept to commercial production.
• Grow Your Expertise: Gain hands-on experience in product development, thermal processing, scale-up, pilot testing, and commercialization.
• Be Part of Something Bigger: Join a company backed by Ebro Foods, S.A., the global leader in the rice sector.

About the Position

Based in Memphis, TN, the R&D Process Engineer plays a key role in transforming new product concepts into successful commercial products. This hands-on position supports the full product development process—from formulation and prototype development through pilot testing, industrial validation, process scale-up, and commercialization. The R&D Process Engineer is responsible for supporting research and development activities, including the design, formulation, and development of new products, as well as prototype development in an experimental kitchen. This role conducts pilot testing and industrial validations, interprets results, and recommends product and process improvements. The position is also responsible for developing product and ingredient specifications across the rice platform, including Long Cook, Ready-to-Serve (RTS), IQF, and Instant technologies. The R&D Process Engineer supports process scale-up by transferring, testing, and optimizing processes from pilot lines to commercial production and collaborates closely with Product Development, Operations, Engineering, and Marketing to successfully bring new products to market. This position reports to and works under the direction of the R&D Director.

Research & Development Process Engineer - Memphis, TN

Job Responsibilities

• Product Development & Innovation
  • Support product development activities, formulation processes, and prototype development.
  • Recommend technical approaches, methods, and solutions using sound technical judgment.
  • Develop product, ingredient, and process specifications.
  • Prepare project documentation and executive summaries.

• Process Development & Scale-Up

  • Manage and operate laboratory and pilot plant equipment.
  • Develop operating protocols and testing requirements.
  • Coordinate industrial trials with Operations to ensure quality, safety, and productivity.
  • Support technical transfer from R&D to Production and Quality.

• Thermal Processing & Validation

  • Conduct heat penetration and distribution studies.
  • Maintain records and documentation for thermal processing equipment, including probes, readers, and software.
  • Support validation and troubleshooting of thermal processes.

• Technical Support & Collaboration

  • Prepare technical reports documenting trials and testing.
  • Provide hands-on training and technical support to Production, Quality, and other technical staff.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and colleagues across multiple locations.
  • Protect confidential information and company intellectual property.
  • Promote and maintain safe working practices.

What You Bring

• Required:
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • 3+ years of experience in R&D, process engineering, food manufacturing, or a related field.
  • Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively across R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and other functions.
• Technical Experience:
  • Thermal processing and retort systems.
  • Ready-to-Serve (RTS) products.
  • Instant rice processing.
  • Raw materials and ingredient functionality.
  • Food product development and regulatory requirements.
  • Pilot plant testing, industrial trials, and process scale-up.

Riviana Foods Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, military/veteran status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, citizenship where legally permitted to work, or any other protected category under federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.  This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. An Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V