Senior Principal Engineer – R&D, Product Process Development & Scale Up

The Kraft Heinz Company

Senior Principal Engineer leading a digital strategy to transform R&D Process Development. Implementing AI systems and digital tools for efficient food and beverage processing.

Posted 5/8/2026full-timeGlenview • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $120,800 - $151,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and execute a comprehensive digital strategy and program to transform our approach to Process Development
Develop, pilot, and operationalize agentic AI systems and related data platforms that augment R&D Process Development capabilities
Work closely with cross-functional teams to implement digital twins at our manufacturing sites
Implement Methodology of Process Development frameworks and, for critical systems, development of Transformation Flow Sheets, Basis for Scale up and Commissioning-Qualification0 Verifications (CQV) plans
Reduce development cycle time, reduce number of trials, and enable vertical start-ups by shifting R&D from empirical, trial-heavy work to model-driven, data-anchored development
Establish best practices and training in digital tools and technologies
Build technical models that can be used by the project teams
Interface with R&D for pilot and other scale up activities, process technology development and subsequent process engineering
Develop & maintain technical documentation: ex: Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), heat and material balances, FMEA, Risk Analysis, Transformation Flowsheets, etc.
Study process alternatives and develop preliminary cost analysis
Partner with analytical team to develop methodology and analyze data for key chemical and physical properties
Manage the complexity in food and beverage processing systems involving physical and chemical change, involving many time and length scales
Apply fundamentals of starch & protein transformation through critical processes (ex: extrusion, drying, blending, fermentation, forming, etc.) to develop innovative & functional foods and beverages
Stay abreast with technical & engineering advances within food & beverage and adjacent industries and reapply towards food innovation through iterative experimentations and reduction to practice
Develop IP protection for the solutions to the most important Innovation challenges

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Food Engineering field required
Experience in Process Development digital transformation in the CPG industry (Food CPG preferred)
Strong understanding and experience with digital tools and technologies, such as AI, Smart Sensors, Modeling and Simulation, and Digital Twins
8-10 years of experience in R&D, process scale-up, pilot plant , and plant operations
Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with ability to prioritize work
Knowledge of IP strategy, secure data handling, and regulatory requirements relevant to the Food industry.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future
Wellbeing: events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Process DevelopmentAI systemsdigital twinsTransformation Flow SheetsCommissioning-Qualification VerificationsProcess Flow DiagramsFMEARisk Analysisstarch transformationprotein transformation

Soft Skills

leadershipcross-functional collaborationproject managementprioritizationtrainingbest practices establishmentanalytical thinkingproblem-solvingcommunicationadaptability

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Food Engineering