Process Engineer

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

TITLE:  Process Engineer  

LOCATION:  Salem, OR.

REPORTS TO:  Director of Operations

As a Process Engineer, you will partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Leadership teams to improve plant performance through process optimization, troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational excellence programs. You will leverage engineering principles to improve efficiency, reliability, product quality, yield, and cost performance while supporting a safe and sustainable manufacturing environment.

This position supports a food manufacturing facility specializing in fruit and vegetable processing operations and requires a hands-on engineering professional who is comfortable working on the production floor, solving technical challenges, and driving sustainable process improvements.

What you will do:

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Lead process optimization initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, yield, and cost performance.
• Analyze process data and operating trends to identify opportunities for operational improvements.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing processes and equipment to resolve recurring operational challenges.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor process performance.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and reduce process variation.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles and Ingredion Performance System (IPS) methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, increase throughput, improve yields, and optimize resource utilization.
• Support Value Stream Mapping, 5S, and other operational excellence programs.

Operations & Technical Support

• Provide technical support to Operations and Maintenance teams through process studies, troubleshooting, and process improvement projects.
• Monitor and optimize manufacturing systems, utilities, and process equipment.
• Maintain and analyze historical process data to identify trends and drive decision-making.
• Develop, update, and maintain operating procedures and technical documentation.
• Train and coach plant personnel on process improvements, operating standards, and best practices.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) activities and ensure proper implementation of process modifications.

Engineering & Capital Projects

• Lead and execute capital and process improvement projects up to $5 million.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and technical specifications.
• Coordinate contractors, consultants, operations teams, and stakeholders throughout project execution.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with Ingredion engineering standards.
• Support development and execution of the site's capital improvement plan.
• Ensure completed projects achieve intended design objectives and operational performance targets.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Support facility safety initiatives through engineering design improvements and risk reduction activities.
• Promote a strong safety culture and support Ingredion's goal of achieving an injury-free workplace.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, Food Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory requirements.
• Represent plant operations during customer audits and third-party assessments.
• Support Ingredion's Sustainability and Safety initiatives and long-term operational excellence goals. 

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience in a process manufacturing environment.
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and implementing process improvements.
• Knowledge of process engineering fundamentals including:
  • Heat and material balances
  • Process controls and instrumentation
  • Mechanical and physical separation processes
  • Evaporation and concentration systems
  • Utility systems
  • P&ID development
  • Energy management
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food, beverage, ingredient, agricultural, biochemical, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Experience with:
  • Fruit and vegetable processing
  • Juice concentration systems
  • Puree processing
  • Evaporation and concentration technologies
  • Thermal processing and heat transfer applications
  • Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems
  • Food Safety and GMP programs
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent Continuous Improvement training.
• Experience supporting maintenance and reliability programs.
• Exposure to pumps, piping systems, rotating equipment, and utility systems.
• Experience leading capital projects and managing contractors.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Value Stream Mapping
• 5S programs
• Process controls and data analytics
• Statistical analysis and process monitoring
• KPI development and performance management
• Process optimization and troubleshooting
• Reliability improvement methodologies

Who you are: 

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to influence and engage plant operations teams.
• A hands-on approach to problem solving on the manufacturing floor.
• Strong technical curiosity and continuous learning mindset.
• Ability to balance operational priorities with longer-term improvement initiatives.
• Sound judgment, initiative, innovation, and accountability when managing complex technical assignments.

Why Join Ingredion?  

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being
• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally
• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel

#LI-DR1 #LI-ONSITE

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.

Relocation Available:

Pay Range:

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.