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Lead Process Engineer

Once Upon a Farm, Inc.

Job Overview

Location

Remote

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• The Lead Process Engineer at Once Upon a Farm, Inc. is a critical technical leader responsible for designing, scaling, and optimizing food manufacturing processes in collaboration with R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and co-manufacturing partners. This role ensures that new product concepts are translated into safe, efficient, and scalable production lines while maintaining the highest standards for food safety, quality, and sustainability. The engineer acts as a key technical liaison with co-packers, driving process improvements and managing technical projects that enhance throughput, reliability, and product consistency across the supply chain.
• Day to day, the Lead Process Engineer will lead end-to-end process and line design initiatives from concept through full-scale production, translating new product concepts into manufacturing, food-safe, and efficient operations in partnership with co-packers. They will evaluate and select equipment and technologies, support new line installations, and manage technical projects that improve throughput, reliability, and product consistency. The engineer will provide hands-on support during process trials and startups, develop robust process documentation including SOPs, batch records, and validation protocols, and conduct root cause analysis to resolve process deviations. They will also drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to reduce waste, increase yield, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Additionally, they will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, and GMP standards, and contribute to sustainability goals by optimizing water, energy, and resource usage in production processes.
• The team at Once Upon a Farm, Inc. is mission-driven, focused on creating organic, nutritious food products for children and families using cold-pressed, high-pressure processing (HPP) technology. The company values innovation, sustainability, and transparency, and operates with a strong emphasis on partnership — both internally across functions and externally with co-manufacturing partners. The engineering team works closely with R&D to bring new formulations to life at scale, ensuring that product integrity and nutritional quality are maintained throughout the manufacturing process.
• In this role, the Lead Process Engineer will have the opportunity to deepen their expertise in sanitary food processing, particularly in high-acid, low-pH beverage and puree systems, while gaining experience in scaling innovative food technologies. They will develop leadership and influence skills by guiding cross-functional teams and external partners without direct authority, building trust through technical excellence and collaboration. The role offers significant impact — enabling the company to bring new, healthy products to market faster and more efficiently — while advancing personal growth in project management, regulatory compliance, and sustainable manufacturing practices. This position is ideal for an engineer who wants to combine hands-on technical work with strategic influence in a purpose-driven, fast-growing food company.

🎯 Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Science, or a related engineering field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in process engineering, preferably in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing, with direct experience in co-manufacturing or contract manufacturing environments.
• Proven expertise in designing and optimizing sanitary processing lines, including knowledge of 3-A standards, EHEDG guidelines, CIP/SIP systems, and fluid handling (pumps, valves, heat exchangers, homogenizers).
• Strong project management skills with experience leading cross-functional technical projects from concept to commercialization, including familiarity with stage-gate processes and Gantt-chart-based planning.
• Hands-on experience supporting process trials, startups, and troubleshooting on the plant floor, including proficiency with data collection tools, process analytics, and root cause analysis techniques (e.g., 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams).
• Familiarity with FDA FSMA, USDA organic, and GMP regulations; experience with HPP, aseptic processing, or thermal processing is a plus.

🏖️ Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses tied to individual and company goals.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, including mental health and wellness resources.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and company holidays, plus flexible remote work options to support work-life balance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching to support long-term financial security.
• Professional development stipend for conferences, certifications, and continuing education in engineering and food safety.
• Equity stock options to share in the company’s growth and success as a mission-driven brand.

Skills & Technologies

Senior

Remote

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Once Upon a Farm, Inc.

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About Once Upon a Farm, Inc.

Once Upon a Farm, Inc. produces cold-pressed, certified-organic fruit and vegetable blends, dairy-free smoothies, overnight oats and plant-based meals for babies, toddlers and children. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, California, the company sources ingredients from organic farms and uses high-pressure processing to preserve nutrients without preservatives or added sugar. Products are sold refrigerated in pouches and cups through grocery, club and online channels across the United States.

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