Research Engineer Contractor
Job Location:
Hershey, PA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- The Research Engineer Contractor Salty R&D Process Development supports hands-on process development experimentation scale-up and technical problem-solving across salty and baked snack platforms including popcorn extruded snacks pretzels fried snacks and baked cracker/snack systems.
- The role is intended to support many of the same platform and process-development activities as the Senior Engineer Salty R&D scope but at a Research Engineer level: assisting on higher-complexity projects leading defined workstreams within larger programs and independently driving low-complexity assignments with manager guidance.
- This contractor will work closely with Product Development Engineering Operations Quality Manufacturing Procurement and external partners to execute pilot-plant and plant trials collect and analyze process data document results and translate learnings into practical recommendations for commercialization process optimization and capability growth.
Specific Role Focus Areas
- Assist in development optimization and validation of salty snack processes across pilot and manufacturing environments.
- Execute experimental plans collect process data analyze results and summarize technical conclusions using appropriate analytical and statistical tools.
- Operate and support laboratory pilot-plant and factory equipment including setup preparation troubleshooting trial execution and cleanup coordination.
- Support process scale-up and commercialization by helping define operating windows process guides critical parameters and technical risks.
- Apply structured problem-solving to issues such as moisture control texture variability oil management seasoning adhesion expansion consistency heat distribution and airflow performance.
- Prepare concise written reports trial summaries SOPs/process guides and presentations to communicate recommendations to project teams and management.
- Assist in developing optimizing and validating processes for popcorn extruded snacks pretzels fried snacks and baked snack systems.
- Support work on oil popping/air popping seasoning application moisture management dough systems thermal profiles cutting/forming frying baking drying airflow and hydration systems.
- Execute experiments to improve throughput yield texture color moisture distribution seasoning coverage and product consistency.
- Help translate pilot and plant learnings into practical operating windows and process recommendations.
Pilot Trials Scale-Up Commercialization & Factory Support
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Support pilot-scale and plant-scale trials for new products process changes equipment modifications and technology introductions.
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Assist Operations and Engineering during startup commissioning support process validation and troubleshooting activities.
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Collect and organize trial data observations sample requirements and follow-up actions during plant or pilot work.
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Support manufacturing teams by contributing to process guides startup documentation and critical control parameter definition.
Experimentation Data Analysis & Technical Documentation
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Design or assist with experiments using DOE structured trials capability assessments or other analytical methods appropriate to the project scope.
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Analyze process data such as temperature pressure moisture airflow oil quality metrics throughput and product attributes to identify trends and opportunities.
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Prepare technical summaries reports SOPs trial documentation scale-up recommendations and presentation materials.
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Document technical risks assumptions conclusions and recommended next steps in a clear and disciplined manner.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Project Support
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Partner with Product Development to align formulation needs with process design and manufacturing capability.
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Collaborate with Operations Engineering Quality Procurement suppliers and external partners to support process-learning objectives.
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Communicate project updates technical issues and recommendations to cross-functional team members and management.
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Provide hands-on direction to technicians or trial support resources when assigned.
Capability Building & Continuous Improvement
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Support longer-term platform capability work in areas such as extrusion frying baking popcorn processing pretzels airflow systems seasoning application and oil management.
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Identify practical productivity quality simplification energy or process-control improvement opportunities.
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Stay current on emerging snack-processing equipment pilot capabilities and relevant supplier technologies.
Minimum Knowledge Skills and Abilities
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Foundational technical knowledge in food science food engineering chemical engineering mechanical engineering process engineering or related discipline.
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Comfortable operating or supporting laboratory pilot-plant and/or factory equipment in food-processing environments.
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Basic working knowledge of GMPs food safety sanitary design analytical techniques research methodology and experimentation.
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Understanding of one or more snack-processing technologies with ability to quickly learn others: popcorn processing extrusion frying baking pretzels seasoning application oil systems moisture control thermal processing airflow or dough systems.
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Ability to apply structured problem-solving and data-driven root-cause analysis to technical questions.
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Strong computer skills including Microsoft Teams Excel PowerPoint and basic data-analysis tools; DOE/statistical analysis experience preferred.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to summarize findings clearly for technical and non-technical audiences.
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Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-changing R&D and manufacturing environment.
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Hands-on mechanical aptitude and willingness to work in plant pilot and lab environments with heat oil noise and industrial equipment.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Education and Experience:
- BS in Chemical Engineering Food Engineering Biological Engineering Mechanical Engineering Chemistry or a related technical field with 0-2 years of related experience.
- Relevant internships co-ops research projects or food-processing experience may be considered.
- Experience working in or around food processing salty snacks confectionery pilot plants manufacturing environments data analysis DOE/statistics or hands-on equipment troubleshooting is preferred.
Other Requirements
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Ability to work in plant pilot-plant and lab environments.
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Travel 20-50% depending on project supplier and plant-support needs.
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Must be capable of lifting approximately 40 lbs during pilot-scale and equipment work.
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Must be comfortable around heat oil systems noise and industrial equipment.
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Contractor term work schedule onboarding requirements vendor administration and site-access details to be defined by the hiring manager and contracting partner.
