Principal Engineer, R&D - Process Technology (Food Manufacturing)

Location: Hybrid position based at the hirify.global R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, Illinois, United States; on-site work is expected at least three days per week, with up to two virtual days. Travel up to 25% is required.

New hire base salary: $104,200–$130,200 per year, plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus.

Company

hirify.global is a consumer goods company with an R&D organization focused on food processing innovation, product quality, manufacturing performance, and commercialization.

What you will do

• Explore, evaluate, and develop emerging process technologies, including equipment, automation, and digital solutions.
• Lead technical delivery for complex processing projects from concept development and pilot trials through scale-up, capital design, and commercialization handover.
• Create Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flowsheets, Process Design Scopes, FMEAs, and CQV documentation.
• Lead pilot-line trials and scale-up activities, translating learnings into robust industrial processing solutions.
• Partner with R&D, Packaging, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to define requirements, resolve trade-offs, and maintain project milestones.
• Support regulatory and safety compliance, cost optimization, value engineering, and technical capability development.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 6 years of R&D or engineering experience in consumer goods, food and beverage, pharma, or a similar industry; reduced experience thresholds apply with a master’s or PhD.
• Hands-on experience with end-to-end processing development, pilot trials, scale-up, and industrial production launches.
• Applied knowledge of CQV, FMEA, CPRA, Process Design Scopes, and Transformation Flowsheets.
• Experience managing detailed project plans, schedules, risk logs, and multi-stakeholder initiatives using tools such as MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent.
• Advanced Excel skills, familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, strong technical communication, and willingness to travel up to 25%.

Nice to have

• Experience with emulsions and shear processing, fermentation, extrusion, thermal processing and validation, aeration, drying, or powder mixing.
• Pilot-line setup and multi-site production launch experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work model with flexibility based on business needs.
• Healthcare coverage including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid time off, company holidays, leave programs, flexible work arrangements, and training opportunities.
• Financial benefits including 401(k), life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and disability benefits.
• Wellbeing, family support, employee assistance, recognition, and learning programs.