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** |