Sr R&D Engineer - Coffee Processing & Extraction

Come join a creative team of scientists and engineers on the forefront of beverage innovation! This team is dedicated to growing the category by pushing the boundaries of beverage development and delivery to satisfy every consumer need. Years ago, the coffee industry was revolutionized with the launch of the Keurig brewing system, allowing consumers to brew one cup of coffee on demand. Now with the power of Keurig Dr Pepper, join a new challenger in the beverage industry and let’s discover the possibilities!

The Senior Engineer will lead coffee processing and extraction development, author specifications for processing systems, and support equipment selection in partnership with Engineering. This role is critical to driving innovation and operational excellence in coffee processing. As part of the KDP coffee processing team, the Senior Engineers provide high level strategic recommendations for the company’s coffee processing capabilities, while also supporting NPD and leading system improvements in manufacturing, quality, cost, and safety. This position partners closely with internal cross functional teams such as project management, engineering, quality, marketing, safety, environmental and operations resources, and external partners. The Senior Engineer in this position will be expected to provide leadership and guidance to fellow scientists, to co-manufacturing research teams, and to in-house operational team members. This position requires strong skills in critical thinking, collaboration, consumer insights, and the ability to positively influence project direction. This includes product scale up, specifically of coffee extraction & coffee processing unit operations, test methods development, communication with key suppliers, partners, and specifications development. Intimate knowledge and demonstrated application of extraction techniques and core coffee processing science are critical for success in this role; knowledge of particle engineering, formation, solids handling, and processing are a plus.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research in knowledge-base and active development of coffee extraction methodologies (lab and commercial scale)
• Defining coffee processing requirements to deliver new product specifications
• Evaluate proposed improvements to existing coffee processes
• Strategic planning for coffee processing capabilities required at lab scale as necessary
• Evaluating latest coffee processing innovation & recommending any to assess further; in partnership with Engineering, making long-term recommendations for manufacturing network capabilities
• Generation of process flow diagrams
• Creation of business proposals to demonstrate and evaluate various project options
• Provide technical support for commissioning, qualification and verification (CQV) processes
• Utilize statistical data analysis for data driven decision making
• Coach junior team members and grow technical capability across the team

• Salary Range: $76,400 - $130,000
• Actual placement within the compensation range may vary depending on experience, skills, and other factors
• Benefits, subject to election and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Paid Time Off (including paid parental leave, vacation, and sick time), 401k with company match, Tuition Reimbursement, and Mileage Reimbursement
• Annual bonus based on performance and eligibility

• B.S. in food science / engineering discipline with 10+ years of experience, M.S. with 7+ years of experience, Ph.D. with 2-4 years of experience.
• Knowledge and experience in coffee processing with specific experience in the food industry (especially in coffee beverages) required, including practical experience across green coffee cleaning, roasting, degas, grinding, and flavoring
• Knowledge of coffee extraction phenomena and rate kinetics, including extraction at a commercial scale
• Knowledge of design requirements related to food safety, including SQF, FDA, GMP
• Hands-on experience with process development, startup and commissioning
• Strong statistical capability
• Ability to travel as required (up to 50% of the time)

Particle science experience a plus:

• Knowledge and experience with food processes such as blending, spray drying, drying, compaction, high shear agglomeration, fluid bed agglomeration, and extrusion. 
• Knowledge and experience with bulk solids and material handling, including pneumatic conveying and dust collection is preferred
• Knowledge and experience in preparation of PFD’s, P&ID’s
• Knowledge and experience in modeling unit operation processes, including parameter estimation and material modeling. 

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with a portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partners brands and powerful distribution capabilities to provide a beverage for every need, anytime, anywhere. We operate with a differentiated business model and world-class brand portfolio, powered by a talented and engaged team that is anchored in our values. We work with big, exciting beverage brands and the #1 single-serve coffee brewing system in North America at KDP, and we have fun doing it!

Together, we have built a leading beverage company in North America offering hot and cold beverages together at scale. Whatever your area of expertise, at KDP you can be a part of a team that’s proud of its brands, partnerships, innovation, and growth. Will you join us?

We strive to be an employer of choice, providing a culture and opportunities that empower our team of ~29,000 employees to grow and develop. We offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well-being. We also provide employee programs designed to enhance your professional growth and development, while ensuring you feel valued, inspired and appreciated at work.

Keurig Dr Pepper is an equal opportunity employer and recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability or association with a person with a disability, medical condition, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.