Senior Process Engineer

Job Title: Process Engineer

Job Description

The Process Engineer designs and lays out fluid process systems ranging from individual equipment, such as CIP skids, to complete production lines and full plants. This role supports projects from initial concept through process design, equipment sizing and specification, procurement, installation, and start-up and commissioning. The Process Engineer collaborates closely with internal teams, contractors, consultants, vendors, and clients to ensure technically sound, efficient, and compliant process solutions for the food and beverage industry, with a strong emphasis on dairy and other regulated fluid products.

Responsibilities

• Design and lay out fluid process systems from single pieces of equipment to full production lines and complete plants.
• Develop process designs for batching, processing, packaging, CIP/COP, pasteurization, filtration, and heat exchanger systems.
• Design and specify steam, condensate, glycol, tower water, and city water systems to support process operations.
• Calculate and analyze cooling and heating loads to ensure proper thermal design and efficient heat transfer.
• Identify and specify appropriate pumps and valve components for each application, with a focus on fluid food movement.
• Apply a strong understanding of instrumentation and controls to support process automation and system reliability.
• Develop mass balances for process systems to support design, optimization, and regulatory compliance.
• Create and maintain process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), utility and equipment matrices, project timelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and performance specifications for process equipment.
• Prepare and manage Requests for Quotation (RFQs) for equipment and services, and support vendor selection.
• Interact with equipment vendors to evaluate technical proposals, clarify specifications, and ensure equipment meets design and regulatory requirements.
• Identify process improvement opportunities, analyze options, and implement action plans to enhance efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Work within established engineering policies and procedures to provide consistent, high-quality service to customers.
• Travel to customer sites to gather project information, maintain client relationships, troubleshoot issues, and respond to customer needs.
• Requisition or purchase essential parts and equipment required for projects in alignment with project budgets and timelines.
• Manage or perform supervision of field personnel during work performed at customer plants, including installation and commissioning activities.
• Lead or support capital projects, including quoting, procurement, installation, and commissioning of process equipment.
• Create 3D and 2D models, including P&IDs and plant layouts, using appropriate CAD tools such as Plant 3D and AutoCAD.
• Consult with clients on-site to diagnose piping problems, efficiency issues, and line layout challenges, and provide engineered, quoted solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, including mechanical, process, structural, electrical, fabrication, installation, and project management, to deliver integrated solutions.
• Contribute to documentation improvements and support upgrades to process documentation and related systems.

Essential Skills

• Approximately 8+ years of experience in process engineering, preferably in fluid processing environments.
• Strong in fluid processing, with regulated dairy experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience with batching, processing, packaging, CIP/COP, pasteurization, filtration, and heat exchangers.
• Demonstrated ability to design steam, condensate, glycol, tower water, and city water systems.
• Solid understanding of thermal dynamics and heat transfer, including heating and cooling load calculations and system design.
• Experience selecting and specifying pumps and valves for fluid food applications.
• Proficiency in developing mass balances and translating them into practical process designs.
• Ability to independently develop PFDs and P&IDs and own the process design from concept through implementation.
• Capital project experience including quoting, procurement, installation, and commissioning of process equipment.
• 3D modeling experience for P&IDs, preferably using Plant 3D.
• AutoCAD experience for 2D modeling and plant layout development.
• Knowledge of USDA and FDA regulatory requirements relevant to food and beverage processing.
• Familiarity with Dairy 3A, USDA, and FDA guidelines and their application in process design.
• Proficiency with internet software and the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, Project, and Outlook.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with clients, vendors, and internal teams.
• Strong teamwork skills, including active listening, approachability, constructive questioning, and collaborative participation.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, demonstrating professionalism, respect, positivity, and an enthusiastic, outgoing approach.
• Valid US driver’s license to support travel to customer sites and office locations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (4-year degree) or 5–10 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience preferred, particularly in field or project settings.
• Experience in the dairy, juice, or broader beverage industry, especially under stricter regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design and engineer complete systems, including heat transfer and fluid handling components.
• Experience with process optimization, including MES and automation systems, is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to walk into an operating plant, diagnose piping, efficiency, or line layout issues, and provide consultative, engineered solutions and project coordination.
• Experience with manufacturing engineering and project coordination in a production environment.
• Familiarity with additional CAD tools such as SolidWorks is beneficial.
• Knowledge of industry and market trends in food and beverage processing, including capital investment, automation, and documentation upgrades.
• Comfort working within a growing organization that is scaling its engineering capabilities and project portfolio.

Work Environment

This role supports a growing engineering organization that has been in business for over three decades and operates with multiple in-house disciplines, including mechanical, process, structural, electrical, fabrication, installation, and project management. Engineers may work remotely and can be located anywhere in the state, with an expectation of periodic on-site presence for collaboration and leadership activities. Engineers within roughly two hours of the office often come in weekly, while those farther away typically attend monthly leadership and project collaboration meetings; out-of-state engineers generally visit once per year, with the option to come more frequently. Travel is an integral part of the role, averaging around 40% of the time and typically allowing engineers to be home on weekends. Travel may range from single-day visits to multi-day trips (3–4 days) for larger installations, with occasional domestic flights for major projects. The organization reimburses travel-related expenses such as hotel, food, and mileage for trips to the office and to job sites. Work involves both office-based design and documentation using tools such as AutoCAD, Plant 3D, Microsoft Office, and internet-based applications, as well as time at client facilities overseeing installations, troubleshooting systems, and collaborating with plant personnel. The company fosters a collaborative, growth-oriented culture, with significant focus on process improvements, automation, and infrastructure upgrades in the food and beverage market. A performance-based bonus structure tied to KPIs and business performance is being implemented, with tiered opportunities aligned to role and responsibility levels.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.

The pay range for this position is $57.69 - $76.92/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 17, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.