R&D Process Development Engineer

As theR&D Process Development Engineer, you will be responsible for leading process capabilities across tru fru North America. You will support trials for new product innovation, drive continuous improvement at manufacturing sites, and ensure that all aspects of tru fru's processes are thoroughly documented and effectively shared. You will work closely with Product Development, Engineering, and Operations to ensure seamless execution through commercialization and scale-up. In this role, you will operate autonomously within Process Engineering while collaborating cross-functionally in a fast-paced and highly dynamic environment.

What you'll do

• Support Product Development through commercialization and scale-up of new innovations on both existing and new production lines across internal and external manufacturing sites.
• Contribute to cross-functional project teams by providing clear updates on technical progress and risks, while evaluating process decisions for desirability, feasibility, and viability.
• Lead continuous improvement workstreams with external manufacturing partners, including design of experiments and data-driven trials.
• Serve as a liaison between Product Development and Engineering to identify, specify, and design new equipment requirements for innovation and renovation projects.
• Initiate, coordinate, and execute line trials at appropriate supply locations, ensuring quality attributes and performance metrics are achieved and fully documented.
• Support equipment onboarding for new or upgraded manufacturing lines, including Factory Acceptance Testing, Commissioning, Validation, and Start-Up.
• Partner with Engineering and OEMs to troubleshoot and resolve process, quality, and equipment-related issues.
• Work closely with the External Manufacturing Manager, Product Development, Industrial Engineering, and broader cross-functional project teams.
• Develop deep expertise in the tru fru manufacturing network-Frozen and Freeze-Dried-and communicate capabilities, limitations, and future needs to the business.
• Create, maintain, and secure detailed process specifications within Tru Fru's R&D systems.
• Identify and support new opportunities for cost savings and operational value creation.

What you'll bring to tru fru

You are...

• A disciplined technical thinker who keeps quality and food safety at the center of every decision.
• Comfortable working without rigid processes in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment.
• A strategic, analytical problem solver who uses data and broad perspective to make timely decisions.
• Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously through effective planning and prioritization.
• A clear communicator who can translate risk, progress, and technical detail to cross-functional partners.
• A proactive collaborator who builds trust, contributes actively, and remains open to feedback.
• Agile, resourceful, and able to move with pace using available information to make sound, risk-based decisions.

You have...

• B.S. in Engineering or Food Engineering with 5+ years of industry experience.
• Experience in Corporate R&D Process Engineering preferred; background in Food Engineering or Manufacturing considered.
• Food CPG experience required; experience with chocolate and/or frozen products preferred.
• Proven experience leading line trials; experience with new equipment identification, FATs, and start-up a plus.
• Experience with Kaizen and/or DOE; Six Sigma Green Belt required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and managing competing priorities.
• Ability to travel 25-50%.

Certain states and localities require employers to post a reasonable estimate of salary range. Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ.