Process Engineer in Auburn, New York at Cayuga Milk Ingredients, LLC

Position Title: Process Engineer

Reports To: Director of Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Grade: 11

Pay Range: $114,000- $146,000

Position Overview:

The Process Engineer supports the optimization of manufacturing processes, equipment performance, and automation systems across Cayuga Milk Ingredients' operations. This role works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering teams to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and reliability throughout the production process.

The Process Engineer analyzes process performance, troubleshoots operational issues, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and assists with capital projects and process modifications. This position provides an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in dairy processing, automation, and manufacturing operations while contributing to the company's commitment to operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Process Improvement & Operations Support

• Monitor process performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, yield, quality, and throughput.
• Analyze production data and assist in identifying trends, losses, and process improvement opportunities.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities for process and equipment issues.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Assist with process documentation, standard operating procedures, and work instructions.

Manufacturing & Process Engineering

• Provide engineering support for dairy processing systems including milk receiving, pasteurization, membrane filtration, evaporation, drying, packaging, and utility operations.
• Work with Operations and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot process upsets and equipment performance issues.
• Support process validation, startup activities, and implementation of process changes.
• Assist with maintaining process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and technical documentation.

Automation & Controls Support

• Support troubleshooting and optimization of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and process control systems.
• Assist with automation upgrades, system testing, and commissioning activities.
• Work with engineering and maintenance teams to improve process monitoring and control capabilities.
• Support collection and analysis of process and automation data.

Capital Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Assist with capital projects, equipment installations, and process improvement initiatives.
• Support equipment evaluations, vendor interactions, and project implementation activities.
• Participate in startup, commissioning, and validation efforts for new equipment and systems.
• Contribute to efforts that improve equipment reliability and operational performance.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Support compliance with FDA, PMO, SQF, OSHA, environmental regulations, and company standards.
• Assist in identifying and mitigating process risks that could impact product quality or food safety.
• Support food safety and quality initiatives through process monitoring and continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience

• 3+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, food, dairy, beverage, or related industries.
• Experience with continuous improvement or process optimization initiatives is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering principles.
• Familiarity with process control systems, PLCs, instrumentation, or automation technologies preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data analysis tools.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing or dairy processing is beneficial.

Core Competencies

• Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Attention to Detail
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Technical Learning Agility
• Communication Skills
• Initiative & Accountability

Physical Requirements:

· Ability to navigate all areas of the facility, including office spaces, warehouse areas, and the exterior perimeter.

· Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary to safely perform job duties.

· Ability to stand, sit, and carry out tasks throughout a full shift, with appropriate meal breaks.

· Physically capable of standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, and crouching as needed.

· Able to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds independently and heavier objects with reasonable accommodations.

· Visual acuity sufficient to perform job duties accurately.

· Capable of assessing weights, judging distances, and working at various heights.

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 6am-4pm with the ability to flex to meet the needs of a 24/7/365 operation.

Compensation:

At Cayuga Milk Ingredients, we value a fair and comprehensive approach to compensation. Our wage range for this role is determined by various factors, including skill sets, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs. It is not typical for an employee to start at or near the top of the range for the position. Compensation decisions are made based on individual job circumstances considering skill level, previous experience, and education requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Cayuga Milk Ingredients is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Non-Discrimination Policy:

The contractor will not discriminate against employees or applicants for discussing or disclosing their own pay or the pay of others. However, employees with access to compensation information as part of their job duties are prohibited from disclosing this information to unauthorized individuals, except in specific circumstances outlined by applicable laws and regulations (41 CFR 60-1.35(c)).

General Statement:

All Cayuga employees recognize that the success and prosperity of the company is everyone’s responsibility. All employees are expected to treat each other in a positive, respectful, and professional manner, to be at work for their assigned shift and to work safely as a team. Employees must be self-starters who can relate to all levels of the organization.

Disclaimer:

o All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

o This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

o The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.

o This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Disclaimer: For Recruiter’s and Staffing Agencies

o At Cayuga Milk, our Human Resources Team leads most of our hiring efforts and takes pride in connecting directly with talented individuals who share our values and passion for what we do. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach from our team.

o While we occasionally partner with external recruitment agencies, we do so only with those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. Currently, we are not adding new agencies to that list.

o If an unsolicited resume or candidate submission is received from an agency or recruiter not authorized by our Human Resources Team, it will be treated as a direct application. Cayuga Milk will not be responsible for any placement or referral fees related to these submissions.