Contract
Cork
Posted 4 days ago

PROCESS ENGINEER

Liquid & Powder Processing

About the Role

Baker Finn Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced Process Engineer – Liquid & Powder Processing on behalf of our client, a leading organisation undertaking a significant engineering and manufacturing project.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Process or Project Engineer to take technical ownership of key liquid and powder processing systems throughout the project lifecycle, from design and procurement through installation, commissioning, qualification, ramp-up and final handover.

The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering complex process systems within a highly regulated manufacturing environment and will work closely with Project Management, Operations, Quality, EHS, Maintenance, Engineering, OEMs, EPCM partners and external contractors.

The position would particularly suit an engineer with a strong background in food & beverage, dairy, nutrition, FMCG, chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing, with previous involvement in major CAPEX, greenfield or brownfield projects.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Ownership – Process Engineering

Act as a key technical and process engineering expert for liquid and powder processing systems throughout the project lifecycle.
Provide technical leadership and guidance across process design, equipment selection, installation, commissioning and operational readiness.
Ensure process systems are designed and delivered in accordance with applicable engineering standards, hygienic design principles and food and operator safety requirements.
Review technical designs and engineering documentation to ensure systems meet operational, quality, safety and performance requirements.
Support technical decision-making throughout all phases of the project.

Project Execution & Commissioning

Support the Project Manager with the execution and integration of major wet/liquid and dry/powder process systems.
Support bulk liquid, acid and oil reception/storage, dosing, blending, dissolving, emulsification, homogenisation, UHT/DSI sterilisation, CIP and water preparation systems.
Support warehouse design, material flows and racking, big bag and 25 kg raw material handling, pre-batching, pick-and-place, lifting aids, robotics, conveyors, dust extraction, compactors/balers, scanning systems and MES integration.
Support design, installation, commissioning, qualification and ramp-up, including DQ, IQ, OQ and PQ activities.
Support FAT/SAT, performance testing and final qualification.
Troubleshoot process and equipment performance issues during installation, commissioning and start-up to achieve required performance targets.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with Operations, Quality, EHS, R&I, Maintenance and Engineering to ensure systems meet operational, environmental, safety, hygienic and quality requirements.
Collaborate with EPCM partners, OEMs, contractors and consultants on sequencing, tie-ins, layouts, installation conflicts and commissioning plans.
Coordinate with Utilities, Automation, Electrical and Packaging teams on interdependent systems including BMS, SCADA, EMS, PLC and MES.

CAPEX Support & Project Governance

Support development and delivery of process-related CAPEX packages, including scope, planning and reporting.
Provide technical input into cost and forecast accuracy, schedule adherence and project risk registers.
Support engineering change control and ensure process changes are appropriately assessed, approved and documented.

Procurement & Supplier Management

Support technical tendering for process equipment and systems, including URS, RFQ, Scope of Work, technical bid evaluations and clarifications.
Support Engineering and CAPEX Procurement teams during supplier selection and contract alignment.
Lead and participate in technical discussions with OEMs and suppliers and monitor vendor deliverables for documentation, training, spare parts and commissioning.

Standards, Compliance & Safety

Ensure compliance with applicable company engineering standards, GMP, HACCP, hygienic design and hygiene zoning requirements.
Support compliance with applicable Irish and European engineering and safety regulations.
Embed Safety by Design and Quality by Design principles throughout engineering, installation and commissioning activities.

Operational Readiness & Handover

Ensure process documentation, validation and qualification requirements are completed to a high standard.
Support smooth handover of process systems to Operations and Maintenance.
Support development of SOPs, preventative maintenance plans, training materials, spare parts lists and CMMS master data.
Capture lessons learned during commissioning and start-up to support long-term plant performance and reliability.

Reporting & Decision Support

Provide structured updates to the Project Manager on process progress, risks, commissioning readiness and mitigation plans.
Provide technical insights to support strategic and operational decision-making throughout project phases.

About You

We are looking for an experienced engineer with a strong combination of process engineering, project delivery and commissioning experience. You will ideally have worked on significant manufacturing projects involving complex liquid and/or powder processing systems and be comfortable taking technical ownership from design through to operational handover.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Minimum 5+ years’ experience in Process Engineering, Project Engineering or process implementation roles.
Previous experience within food & beverage, dairy, nutrition, FMCG, chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Previous involvement in greenfield and/or brownfield manufacturing projects.
Strong experience delivering or supporting CAPEX projects; SHERPA qualification or experience would be advantageous.
Proven experience with liquid processing systems and aseptic technologies.
Experience with dry material and powder handling systems would be highly advantageous.
Experience working with EPCM partners, OEMs, contractors, consultants and external engineering partners.
Project Management qualification would be advantageous.

Technical Skills

Liquid processing systems and aseptic processing technologies.
Powder and dry material handling systems.
Blending, dosing, dissolving, homogenisation, UHT/DSI sterilisation and CIP.
Raw material handling, pre-batching, warehouse/material flow systems, robotics, conveyors and dust extraction.
Hygienic process and equipment design.
Commissioning and qualification: FAT, SAT, DQ, IQ, OQ and PQ.
Process troubleshooting during installation and start-up.
CAPEX project delivery and GMP/HACCP environments.
Automation and process control systems including PLC, SCADA and MES.
Interpretation of P&IDs, PFDs, layouts and technical specifications.
Technical tendering, equipment procurement and supplier/OEM management.

Key Competencies

Strong technical and process engineering capability.
Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Ability to take ownership of complex engineering packages.
Strong understanding of plant and process design and engineering documentation.
Comfortable leading technical discussions with suppliers, OEMs and engineering partners.
Strong project, stakeholder management, communication and reporting skills.
Commercial awareness and understanding of CAPEX project delivery.
Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously.
Strong commitment to safety, quality and regulatory compliance.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Process Engineer to play a key technical role on a significant manufacturing and CAPEX project. The successful candidate will have exposure to sophisticated liquid processing, powder handling, automation and manufacturing technologies while working alongside leading OEMs, EPCM partners and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

The role offers considerable technical ownership and would suit an engineer who enjoys being involved from initial design and procurement right through to installation, commissioning, qualification, start-up and operational handover.

Process Engineer – Liquid & Powder Processing