Dairy Manufacturing Process Engineer

hireneXus•Grand Rapids, MI

39d•$100,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a two-phase position starting as a Manufacturing Process Engineer and transitioning into an Optimization Engineering role. You'll work directly with internal leadership and co-manufacturing partners to design, launch, and scale dairy production systems — then own continuous improvement across the network. Your work will directly unlock manufacturing capacity, increase throughput, and drive long-term product innovation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Food Engineering, or a related discipline
On-site in Grand Rapids, MI 60% (or 75% of the time if traveling)
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a track record of effective cross-functional collaboration
Highly organized, self-motivated, and comfortable in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments
Skilled in project management, including creating and maintaining Gantt charts and detailed project timelines
Familiar with Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.)
Passion for purpose-driven work and alignment with our brand values
3-4+ years in dairy manufacturing (cultured, yogurt, cheese, fluid, etc.) with a focus on process or production engineering
Proven success leading capital expansion projects or new facility buildouts
Hands-on experience with dairy systems such as pasteurization, homogenization, curd and whey handling, separation, and CIP/SIP
Strong understanding of process fundamentals, including thermal systems, equipment sizing, mass balancing, and OEE
Experience working with co-manufacturing or third-party production partners
History of working closely with cross-functional teams, including R D, Operations, and Engineering

Nice To Haves

Background in cottage cheese or other cultured dairy products
Experience in PE-backed or rapidly scaling, high-growth food companies

Responsibilities

Lead the design, coordination, and ramp-up of new production capabilities at strategic partner sites
Collaborate with co-manufacturers' engineering and operations teams to install and commission key processing equipment (e.g., cheese vats, curd processors, pasteurizers, homogenizers, whey systems)
Develop process parameters, throughput models, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) baselines, and detailed control documentation
Ensure every launch meets our rigorous standards for food safety, product quality, and capacity
Work cross-functionally to improve product quality, lower costs, and enhance overall plant efficiency
Support new product introductions and capital improvement initiatives alongside internal teams and external partners
Serve as a subject matter expert on dairy processing systems, leading troubleshooting and performance improvement efforts
Influence and align internal and external teams to deliver on technical and operational priorities
Act as a strategic advisor to the VP of Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Foster a mission-driven culture that values integrity, teamwork, and long-term thinking