Process Engineer
ACIDEAward
Listed 2 Oct 2026
Closes 3 Nov 2026
The role
We're hiring a Process Engineer to design, control and improve the processes behind everything we make — fermentation, brining and acidification, hot-fill sauce manufacture, pasteurisation, filling and packing. Our products depend on tightly controlled chemistry: pH, salt and acid concentrations, temperature and time. Your job is to make those processes repeatable, safe and efficient as volumes grow, and to lead the engineering work that takes new products from bench to full-scale production. You'll report directly to the founder.
What you'll do
Define, document and control critical process parameters for fermentation, acidification (pH management), pasteurisation and hot-fill, and verify them against our registered food safety program
Design and validate processes for new products; manage scale-up from trial batches to commercial runs
Analyse yield, waste, cycle time and cost per unit; identify and implement process improvements
Run root-cause analysis on batch deviations and quality issues and put corrective actions in place
Specify, commission and maintain processing equipment; plan preventative maintenance and line changeovers
Own batch records, traceability and recall-readiness from raw-material intake to dispatch
Plan production scheduling across the brand lines against wholesale, distributor, retail and events demand
Write and maintain SOPs and train production staff against them
Report process and production KPIs to the Director
What you'll need
Bachelor's degree in engineering — chemical, process, food, production or industrial — or an equivalent qualification
At least two years' experience in a process or production engineering role in food, beverage or related manufacturing; fermentation, acidified or thermally processed foods highly regarded
Working knowledge of HACCP-based food safety systems, process validation and batch traceability
Confident with process data — measuring, analysing and acting on it
Able to work hands-on and autonomously in a small, cross-trained team
Full Australian working rights, or eligibility for employer sponsorship
What we offer
$80,000 + superannuation, full-time ongoing role with annual review
Direct line to the founder — your process decisions are implemented in weeks, not years
A growing Melbourne food brand that takes food safety, documentation and craft equally seriously
To apply: submit your CV and a short cover note. Applications close 30 October 2026.