Food Process Engineer :Career Roadmap

Food process engineers help develop and refine food products, packaging and processing equipment. They might work in a quiet, climate-controlled development laboratory or office creating designs. Alternately, they might work on-site in a noisy packaging or processing facility, assessing the need for a new process or piece of equipment or observing equipment to see if it is working properly. This variety in work environments means these engineers might get to travel regularly. Additionally, they might also get to work on outdoor projects, although this could mean working long hours to take advantage of favorable weather conditions.

Job Requirements

A bachelor's degree is typically required in order to enter the food process engineering field, though some of these workers hold graduate degrees. The following table contains the main requirements for food process engineers:

	Common Requirements
Degree Level	Bachelor's degree required*
Degree Field	Food process engineering, biology, food science or a related field***
Experience	None for entry-level positions; some employers require at least three years of experience***
Key Skills	Data analysis skills, observational and communication skills, ability to think critically and solve problems*
Computer Skills	Spreadsheets, computer-aided design (CAD) software, photo imaging software**

Success Tips:

• Get involved in an organization. Students can further immerse themselves in food process engineering education by joining an organization, like the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). The IFT offers student memberships to those endorsed by a faculty member.
• Complete an internship. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that students in food process engineering programs often complete internships. Students can gain hands-on experience in product formulation, food manufacturing processes and food process equipment.