INFORMACION SOBRE ESTA CARRERA

FOOD ENGINEER

Description

Food engineers design and commission efficient processes and processing equipment for food processing plants.

Alternative Titles

 Process/Research Engineer
 Project Engineer
 Engineer (Food)
 Design Engineer
 Manufacturing Engineer
 Development Technologist

Tasks and Duties

Food engineers:
 design new methods of processing, packaging and preserving food
 scope, develop and design new equipment for processing plants
 improve existing equipment in plants
 cost processes and equipment
 test equipment and processes in the laboratory, pilot plant (equipment used to test commercial viability of a product) and commercial plant
 source equipment for food companies from individual components to the whole plant
 provide a follow-up service for the equipment installed
 improve existing processes within manufacturing plants
 solve problems with processes that are not working properly.


Personal Requirements

Skills

Food engineers need to have:
 technical and problem-solving skills
 good communication skills
 research and project management skills
 good time management skills
 organisational ability.

Knowledge

Food engineers should know about:
 engineering principles
 applied mathematics related to engineering
 the chemical and physical properties of food products
 interactions between food being processed and the process equipment and conditions
 food hygiene and microbiology
 food processing equipment such as canning equipment, driers, pumps and heat exchangers
 food packaging.



Personal Qualities

Food engineers need to be practical, able to work well in a team and able to make sound judgements. They should also show initiative and have an analytical mind.
"You need to show initiative and ask for advice when you need it. You need to be a team player and dedicated to your work."
Michelle Jenkins, Food Engineer

Physical Requirements

There are no specific physical requirements for food engineers.


Working Conditions

Work Places and Travel

Food engineers work in offices and food processing plants. They may spend time travelling to various sites and be involved with projects offshore, depending on the organisation they work for.


Equipment

Equipment food engineers may use includes:
 computers and sophisticated engineering software
 protective clothing and equipment such as overalls, earmuffs and safety glasses
 modern communications equipment
 laboratory, pilot plant and commercial processing equipment
 reference and text books.


Workplace Conditions

When carrying out trials in the food plant, conditions may be noisy. Food engineers need to follow strict hygiene procedures.



Employment Conditions


Hours

Food engineers usually work regular hours, but may be required to work overtime when working on a project in a food plant.

Salary

Food engineers usually earn between $35,000 and $70,000 per year, depending on their experience and level of responsibility.



Contact with People

Food engineers work independently and as part of a team, and may supervise other members of the team. Food engineers may also have contact with equipment suppliers, production workers, managers, accountants, marketing personnel, technical officers and support workers.




http://www.kiwicareers.govt.nz/jobs/4d_che/j80297b.htm