Associate Engineer, Clean Flavor
About The Position
McCormick is hiring an Associate Engineer, Clean Flavor at its Technical Innovation Center in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The role focuses on developing, evaluating, and scaling food-compatible extraction processes, including aqueous, hydroethanolic, and oil-based systems. The engineer conducts bench- and pilot-scale experiments, operates and troubleshoots processing equipment, analyzes process data, and translates laboratory processes into pilot and manufacturing procedures. The position also supports trials, process transfers, commissioning, and commercial scale-up in collaboration with internal teams and external partners. The role requires regular work in laboratory and pilot-plant environments, with regular onsite work in Hunt Valley and occasional travel to manufacturing sites, suppliers, or external partners. Employees must be able to lift and move materials or equipment up to 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, operate and clean pilot equipment safely, and wear required personal protective equipment. The position offers a base salary of $53,500 to $91,000 and eligibility to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus Plan. Permanent employees are eligible for the company’s Total Rewards programs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, or a related technical discipline.
- Two or more years of relevant engineering, laboratory, process-development, manufacturing, R&D, or QA experience; relevant internship and co-op experience may be considered.
- Hands-on experience operating laboratory, pilot, or manufacturing equipment.
- Ability to apply engineering and scientific principles to experimental design, scale-up, data analysis, and process troubleshooting.
- Ability to safely work with flammable solvents, botanical materials, flavor ingredients, and processing equipment.
- Strong mathematical, technical documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple projects.
- Ability to lift and move materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and safely operate, clean, and assemble pilot-processing equipment.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
Nice To Haves
- Degree or experience in chemical, mechanical, food, or process engineering.
- Experience with extraction, filtration, centrifugation, evaporation, distillation, concentration, drying, or fluid-handling systems.
- Experience with process flow diagrams, material balances, equipment specifications, or process-control systems.
- Experience supporting pilot trials, manufacturing trials, commissioning, technology transfer, or commercialization.
- Experience with botanical extracts, natural products, flavors, or food ingredients.
- Familiarity with Design of Experiments, statistical analysis, analytical methods, or sensory evaluation.
- Familiarity with SAP, DevEx, Batch Metrics, or similar product-development and manufacturing systems.
- Experience working with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, or co-manufacturers.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute bench- and pilot-scale process experiments.
- Develop and optimize aqueous, hydroethanolic, oil-based, and other food-compatible extraction processes.
- Evaluate process variables such as solvent systems, temperature, time, mixing, flow rate, filtration, separation, and concentration.
- Operate, assemble, clean, and troubleshoot pilot-scale extraction, filtration, centrifugation, evaporation, distillation, and related equipment.
- Perform material balances, yield and scale-up calculations, equipment sizing, unit conversions, and process-data analysis.
- Translate laboratory processes into pilot- and manufacturing-scale operating procedures.
- Identify process limitations and recommend equipment or process improvements.
- Support pilot and manufacturing trials, process transfers, commissioning activities, and commercial scale-up.
- Prepare process flow diagrams, experimental records, technical reports, operating procedures, and project updates.
- Collaborate with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, co-manufacturers, Engineering, and Operations.
- Maintain a safe and organized laboratory and pilot-plant environment.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Career growth opportunities
- Flexibility and support for diverse life stages and choices
- Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life, and disability benefits
- Paid parental leave
- Fertility benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Caregiver support
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plans
- Eligibility to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
