Food Engineering Jobs

Cibus has an extensive network of food engineering professionals from mid to senior management levels. We also have a range of food engineering jobs available currently.

Building up a diverse client portfolio, Cibus has had numerous successes in delivering talent to start-ups, SMEs, and global PLCs.

Cibus has recruited talent for many years now, including for engineering jobs in the food processing industry. The industry is always evolving, providing exciting career opportunities for professionals within the food, drink and FMCG sectors.

Our recent successes include:

• Group Excellence Lead for a bakery food group
• Head of Engineering for a multi-site produce business
• Process Engineer for an ingredients business
• Engineering Manager for a D2C food tech business
• Project Engineer for global chilled food group
• Project Manager for a food business in growth

We specialise in finding the best talent for engineering jobs in the food industry and FMCG sector across the United Kingdom and internationally.

A bit more about Cibus

Cibus delivers excellent recruitment solutions in the changing world of the food and drink industry. We are proud of our talented team of knowledgeable recruitment specialists covering all functions and sectors and offering a bespoke service for our clients.

We provide permanent and interim recruitment solutions across Manufacturing, Retail, Foodservice, Food Technology, Product Development, Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, HR, Sales & Marketing from graduate to board level.

We’ve worked across the globe, recruiting for start-ups to large international organisations. Working collaboratively, we have helped and made a real difference to a vast array of clients as they recruit the very best talent to support their strategies.

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What Do Food Engineers Do in the UK and Internationally?

Food engineering is a vital and growing field, playing a key role in the production, quality, and innovation of the food we consume daily. From ensuring our favourite snacks are produced efficiently to developing cutting-edge food technologies that meet safety and sustainability standards, professionals with food engineering jobs are at the forefront of shaping the future of the food industry both in the UK and beyond.

Individuals with engineering jobs in the food industry apply relevant principles to the processes that transform raw ingredients into finished food products. In the UK, where the food and drink industry is one of the largest manufacturing sectors, food engineers contribute to improving production processes, maintaining high-quality standards, and innovating new technologies that support the industry’s growth. Internationally, food engineers face similar challenges but may also work on adapting production processes to local market needs and regulatory requirements.

Across different countries, professionals with engineering jobs in the food processing industry play crucial roles in ensuring food safety, optimising production lines, minimising waste, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. Whether they work for large multinational food companies or smaller local businesses, food engineers are essential in ensuring that food is produced sustainably and safely while keeping costs manageable.

Roles Covered Under Food Engineering Jobs

Considered a broad field, food engineering jobs encompass a variety of specialised roles that focus on different aspects of food production and innovation. Here are some of the key roles you might encounter in the sector:

• Maintenance Engineer – food production requires a wide range of equipment, and maintenance engineers are responsible for keeping this machinery in peak condition. From routine servicing to troubleshooting and repairing breakdowns, professionals with such food industry engineering jobs ensure that production lines continue running smoothly.
• Automation Engineer – with the rise of smart manufacturing, automation engineers play a key role in implementing and maintaining automated systems in food production. They work with robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to boost operational efficiency and minimise human error.
• Engineering Manager – manages the engineering team. They are responsible for coordinating projects, overseeing maintenance, and ensuring production meets company goals and industry regulations.
• Multi-skilled Engineer – a versatile food engineer capable of handling both mechanical and electrical issues. They are involved in maintaining and repairing equipment to ensure continuous production.
• Project Engineer – leads and manages engineering projects, from design to implementation, to ensure that all objectives, timelines, and budgets are met.
• Shift Engineer – responsible for overseeing engineering operations during a specific shift, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring smooth production flow.
• Head of Engineering – leading the entire engineering department, they are responsible for setting strategic goals, overseeing multiple teams, and driving technological advancements within the company.
• Reliability Engineer – focuses on improving the reliability and performance of machinery and equipment, reducing downtime, and optimising maintenance practices to enhance production efficiency.

Daily Responsibilities of Food Engineers

The daily responsibilities of a food engineer can vary according to their specific role and the company they work for. However, some common duties across different engineering jobs in the food industry may include:

• Process improvement – engineers are always looking for ways to make production processes more efficient. This could involve tweaking equipment settings, redesigning production lines, or introducing new technologies that save time and resources.
• Quality control – ensuring that food products meet strict quality standards is a daily task for many food engineers. This involves running tests, analysing data, and implementing solutions to address any issues that arise during production.
• Product development – in roles focused on innovation, food engineers may spend their day researching new ingredients, experimenting with formulations, and conducting taste tests to develop the next big food trend.
• Equipment maintenance and repair – engineers responsible for machinery spend much of their day ensuring that equipment is working as it should. This includes performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting any problems, and making repairs as needed to prevent costly downtime.
• Regulatory compliance – ensuring compliance with industry regulations is a critical part of working food industry engineering jobs. This involves staying informed about changes in local, national, and international laws and ensuring that the company’s operations meet these standards.
• Cost management – food engineers are often tasked with finding ways to minimise production costs without compromising quality. This could involve identifying more cost-effective ingredients, improving production efficiency, or minimising waste.
• Team collaboration – food engineers rarely work in isolation. They collaborate with production staff, quality control teams, food scientists, and management to ensure smooth operations and successful project completion.
• Continuous learning – as technology and regulations evolve, anyone who’s seeking engineering jobs in the food processing industry must stay updated with the latest developments in the field. This could involve attending conferences, taking courses, or conducting independent research.

How Much Does a Food Engineer Get Paid?

The salary of a food engineer can vary widely depending on several factors. Here are the key elements that influence their pay:

1. Experience – similar to any industry, more experienced food engineers typically earn higher salaries. Senior-level engineers with many years of experience or those in leadership roles are compensated more than entry-level engineers who are just starting in their careers.
2. Specialisation – some food engineering jobs require more specialised skills, such as automation or environmental engineering. Engineers with these niche skills often command higher salaries due to the technical expertise required.
3. Location – geographic location is crucial in determining pay. Engineers working in regions with a higher cost of living or in countries with higher average wages typically earn more than those in lower-cost areas.
4. Company size and industry – larger companies with more complex operations may offer higher pay compared to smaller businesses. Furthermore, engineers working in sectors such as high-tech food manufacturing or global corporations may have higher earning potential.
5. Education and certifications – food engineers with advanced degrees or specialised certifications may earn more than those with only a basic engineering degree. Additional qualifications can make an engineer more attractive to potential employers and may result in higher pay.
6. Demand for skills – the demand for specific skill sets also impacts salary. As the food industry embraces new technologies, engineers with expertise in automation, AI, or sustainability are becoming more valuable and can command higher wages.

Kickstart Your Career in Food Engineering

Food engineering offers a dynamic and rewarding career, with opportunities to make a real impact on how food is produced, consumed, and innovated around the world. Whether you’re passionate about improving production processes, developing sustainable solutions, or working on the latest food innovations, there is a role for you in this exciting and dynamic field.

Start your journey today by browsing our food engineering job listing! Get in touch with us at Cibus to submit your CV or enlist our recruitment services.

Job List

Explore our comprehensive list of food industry engineering jobs to find work opportunities that match your qualifications and career aspirations.