R&D Technician - Plano, TX
About The Position
The R&D Technician provides operational support to Research and Development product development teams at PepsiCo’s Plano GPCs, including the Technology Process Center and Plano Process Lab. The role operates food processing equipment across multiple platforms, sets up equipment and lines, troubleshoots equipment and process issues, and supports site Environmental, Health, and Safety compliance programs. The technician partners with R&D engineers, food scientists, and product development teams to understand test objectives and provide operational development support. The position also involves sanitizing process lines, performing basic troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, maintaining run and compliance records, and ensuring test runs are conducted safely. The role may include delegating assigned run-support tasks to contract labor and working across the Dallas Technology Process Center and Plano Process Lab.
Requirements
- High school diploma required.
- At least 3 years of work experience in a manufacturing or production environment or an R&D testing center; food-industry experience is preferred.
- Experience and knowledge of food processing equipment, production, and/or test systems.
- Ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot food processing equipment.
- Ability to provide solutions to process-related issues.
- Strong mechanical aptitude.
- Self-starter able to work with minimal supervision.
- Excellent teamwork skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work safely in an industrial environment.
- Basic computer skills.
- Willingness to work off-shifts and weekends.
- Willingness to work at both the Dallas Technology Process Center and Plano Process Lab.
Nice To Haves
- Associate technical degree preferred.
- Experience in the food industry.
Responsibilities
- Provide operational support for Research and Development product development teams.
- Operate a variety of food processing equipment in the Plano Process Lab or Technology Process Center.
- Work closely with product development teams and contribute equipment and process knowledge to development work.
- Operate equipment efficiently to meet daily development objectives while minimizing downtime.
- Partner with R&D engineers and food scientists to understand test objectives and provide operational support.
- Troubleshoot and resolve equipment and process operational issues.
- Suggest ideas and solutions to improve equipment reliability and performance.
- Sanitize process lines and perform fundamental equipment troubleshooting and preventive maintenance as needed.
- Participate in team continuous-improvement training and skill-development activities.
- Complete assigned and self-identified tasks with limited supervision.
- Manage assigned Safety, Food Safety, and Environmental compliance programs.
- Maintain accurate daily safety and food-safety information, run data sheets, and work-order submissions.
- Delegate assigned run-support work to contract labor and ensure workers are trained for assigned tasks.
- Ensure daily test runs are executed safely.
- Work flexibly across the Dallas Technology Process Center and Plano Process Lab, including off-shifts and weekends when needed.
- Lift up to 50 pounds.
Benefits
- Paid time off, subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement leave.
- Medical insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Disability coverage.
- Health and dependent care reimbursement accounts.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Accident insurance.
- Group legal insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
