Process Engineer

GEA•Oakdale, MN

About The Position

GEA Group is seeking a mid-senior level Process Engineer for its Liquid, Fermentation, and Filling engineering team in Oakdale, Minnesota. The role supports sales, engineering, commissioning, and optimization of process systems, with a focus on liquid and fluid processing in the beverage, food, and dairy industries. The engineer designs and improves equipment configurations, process flows, and systems to meet or exceed GEA standards and customer objectives, while supporting quality, safety, and environmental compliance. The Process Engineer contributes throughout the project lifecycle, from customer meetings and pre-award sales support through cost estimation, proposal development, engineering, commissioning, and optimization. The position provides technical solutions that meet customer requirements and supports project milestones, scope management, design standards, and project constraints. The engineer also provides pre- and post-sale customer support, including site evaluations, pilot trials, presentations, training, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities. Travel of up to approximately 50%, including internationally, is required. The typical base pay range at the start of employment is $85,000–$120,000 per year. Additional rewards may include a discretionary bonus, based on eligibility, and/or equity awards. This U.S.-based position does not offer visa or work sponsorship; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

At least 2 years of related industry experience; the posting states 2–10+ years.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both in a team setting and independently.
Excellent time-management skills and a proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Willingness to travel approximately up to 50%, including internationally.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Technology, or a similar related field.
Processing experience in the food, dairy, or beverage industry.
Liquid processing experience.

Responsibilities

Participate in project phases from initial customer meetings and pre-award sales support through cost estimation, proposal generation, engineering, commissioning, and optimization.
Take responsibility for assigned technical areas of projects, adhering to design standards and optimizing designs to meet customer specifications within time, budget, and contract constraints.
Collaborate with project teams to achieve project milestones and goals.
Identify and justify scope changes that affect process design throughout the project lifecycle.
Develop Block Flow Diagrams, Process Flow Diagrams, Process and Instrumentation Diagrams, and heat and mass balances.
Develop process equipment specifications and specify or design utility consumption.
Contribute to general arrangement, plot plan, and elevation view drawings.
Evaluate and approve design changes, specifications, and drawing releases.
Develop process and functional descriptions of operation.
Lead and facilitate software Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and confirm operation according to process and functional descriptions (FDS).
Plan and implement test procedures and commissioning plans.
Provide technical troubleshooting support to resolve customer concerns about equipment and system performance.
Complete plant audits and support safety evaluations, including HAZOP meetings.
Ensure compliance with government regulations, safety standards, environmental regulations, and industry standards, including sanitary requirements.
Collaborate with team members, technology centers, and GEA European Centers of Competence to improve technology and execute projects successfully.
Coordinate with other disciplines to minimize deficiencies, errors, and omissions in technical project documents and specifications.
Develop relationships with technical stakeholders concerning process design and operation.
Provide pre-sale and post-sale support, including site evaluations, pilot trials, presentations, and training.
Technically evaluate third-party supplier proposals and equipment selections.
Work with customers in support of sales managers and build and maintain customer relationships.
Support on-site commissioning and train customer personnel on GEA process systems.
Provide ongoing troubleshooting support, train customer personnel, and report process improvement initiatives.
Maintain accurate records of meetings, discussions, correspondence, and technical documents.