Reporting to management, the Dairy Process Engineer will play a key role in developing the company's engineering capabilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, optimization, and implementation of sanitary process projects primarily for dairy processing plants .
The ideal candidate possesses a solid understanding of the processes associated with the transformation of milk, yogurt, cheese, cream, butter and other dairy products , as well as the equipment and sanitary systems used in these facilities.
She will participate in all stages of the projects, from the analysis of the client's needs to commissioning: process design, PFD and P&ID, equipment selection, piping sizing, CIP system design, preparation of tenders, coordination of installation and start-up of equipment.
This position also presents an opportunity to gradually build and lead an internal engineering division. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own team in line with project growth and business needs, including participating in the recruitment and mentoring of engineers, technicians, and designers.
The goal is to develop a team capable of handling complete projects, from initial design to manufacturing, installation and commissioning.
The successful candidate will work directly with clients, production teams, equipment suppliers, automation engineers, as well as manufacturing and installation teams.
Occasional travel to food processing plants in Quebec, Canada and occasionally elsewhere in North America is to be expected.
Main responsibilities: Development and management of the engineering division
To actively participate in the development and structuring of the company's engineering division .
Define resource needs according to project growth and company strategy.
Participate in the recruitment of engineers, technicians, draftsmen and other technical resources.
Gradually build and lead a multidisciplinary engineering team.
To provide technical guidance and support to team members.
Distribute responsibilities and workload among engineering resources.
Develop and standardize engineering methods, procedures, tools and deliverables.
Establish internal standards for PFDs, P&IDs, specifications, equipment lists, calculations and technical documents.
Ensure the technical quality of deliverables produced by the team.
Promote skills development and knowledge sharing.
Collaborating with management to develop new engineering service offerings.
Participate in developing client relationships and identify new project opportunities.
Contribute to evolving the company towards a more integrated offering combining engineering, manufacturing, installation and commissioning .
Dairy process engineering
Analyze customer production needs and develop process solutions tailored to dairy applications.
Participate in the design and optimization of processes for milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, butter and other dairy products .
Design and optimize product transfer, cleaning and utility circuits.
Participate in the design of systems for milk reception, storage, mixing, standardization, pasteurization, cooling, fermentation and product transfer .
Participate in the design and optimization of HTST and pasteurization systems .
Design and optimize CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems and their cleaning sequences.
Perform the flow, mass and energy balances necessary for process design.
Assess utility requirements: steam, hot water, chilled water, glycol, compressed air and other process services.
Identify opportunities to improve capacity, energy efficiency, and water and chemical consumption.
PFD, P&ID and sanitary design
Develop and revise Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) .
Develop and revise Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) .
Define the sequences and operating philosophies of the systems.
Participate in the design of sanitary piping networks.
Determine pipe diameters based on flow rates, velocities, viscosities and pressure losses.
Ensure that the design adheres to the principles of drainability, cleanability and hygienic design .
Participate in defining slopes, supports, low points, connections and piping configurations.
Participate in site surveys and the validation of existing installations.
Equipment selection and sizing
Sizing and selecting process equipment, including:
Sanitary pumps
Sanitary valves and valve matrices
Heat exchangers
Pasteurizers / HTST systems
Tanks and silos
Agitators and mixers
Homogenizers
Separators and standardization equipment
CIP Systems
Flow, pressure, temperature, level and conductivity instruments
Prepare the technical data sheets and equipment specifications.
Analyze the technical proposals from the suppliers.
Participate in the selection of equipment according to production requirements and applicable health standards.
Plumbing and sanitary design
Size the sanitary piping networks and calculate the pressure losses.
Determine the appropriate speeds for the product and CIP circuits.
Develop specifications for piping, valves and sanitary fittings.
Participate in the design of product distribution networks and valve matrices.
Ensure that facilities are designed to minimize dead zones, contamination risks, and cleaning problems.
Apply good hygienic design practices and applicable standards such as 3-A Sanitary Standards and relevant piping codes.
Project management
Take charge of and manage engineering and installation projects independently , from defining the need to starting up.
To be the main technical point of contact with the client for projects under their responsibility.
Participate in the preparation of service proposals, budgets and engineering hour estimates.
Establish project budgets, timelines, resources and priorities.
Monitor costs, schedules and progress of work.
Coordinate activities between clients, engineers, suppliers, automation specialists, manufacturers and installation teams.
Organize and lead project design and monitoring meetings.
Manage action lists, responsibilities, and deadlines.
Participate in calls for tenders and the analysis of bids from suppliers and contractors.
Perform technical follow-up on purchased equipment and components.
Identify the technical and commercial risks of the projects and propose appropriate corrective measures.
Installation, startup and commissioning
Supporting the manufacturing and installation teams during project execution.
Conduct inspections and validations of on-site installations.
Participate in FAT and SAT when required.
Participate in the testing of piping systems and equipment.
Check the operating sequences and process parameters.
Participate in the testing and validation of CIP sequences.
Supporting automation teams during equipment startup.
Participate in the commissioning and start-up of production lines.
Diagnose and resolve process problems encountered during startup.
Participate in performance testing and optimization of installations.
Desired profile
University degree in chemical engineering, food engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering or related field.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience , ideally in the dairy or food processing industry.
Experience in one or more facilities producing milk, yogurt, cheese, cream, butter or other dairy products .
Experience in engineering project management and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong interest in leadership, team development and the creation of an engineering division .
Ability to work independently while progressively developing and supervising a technical team.
Good understanding of sanitary processes and hygienic design principles.
Experience with CIP systems , pasteurization/HTST, storage and transfer of dairy products .
Good knowledge of sanitary equipment: pumps, valves, heat exchangers, tanks, instruments and piping systems.
Ability to read, develop and modify PFDs and P&IDs .
Experience in pipe sizing and pressure loss calculation.
Be a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) or be eligible to become one.
Excellent command of French and good command of English.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients, suppliers, production teams and contractors.
Valid driver's license and availability to make occasional trips in Canada and North America.
Proficiency in common computer tools: MS Office, MS Project and Bluebeam.
Key strengths
Direct experience in a dairy plant is a major asset, particularly with:
Pasteurization and HTST systems
Yogurt production and fermentation processes
Cheese production and processing
Reception and storage of raw milk
Standardization of milk and cream
CIP systems and cleaning cycle optimization
Sanitary tanks and silos
Valve matrices and automated product transfer systems
Homogenizers and separators
Plate heat exchangers
Sanitary piping design
3-A standards and good hygienic design practices
Automation and process sequences
Optimization of water, energy and chemical consumption
Management or supervision of a technical or engineering team
Development of a department, a team, or a new service line
Experience with recognized equipment manufacturers, engineering firms or integrators in the dairy industry is also an asset.
Working conditions
Permanent full-time position - 40 hours per week.
Competitive salary based on experience.
Opportunity to build and lead your own engineering team within the company.
Role offering a combination of technical leadership, project management and team development.
Group insurance plan: life insurance, disability insurance, drug insurance, etc.
RRSP with employer contribution.
5 paid sick days per year.
Flexible leave arrangements promoting work-life balance.
Possibility of travel to different production sites in Canada.
Technical environment focused on sanitary process projects and food processing.
Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
Benefits :
Dental Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid leave
Contribution equal to the RRSP
Corporate Events
Flexible arrival and departure times
Employee Assistance Program
On-site parking
Casual Attire
Job location: On-site
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