Process Development Engineer, Utrecht, Utrecht

The Company
A leading global organization in the specialized nutrition sector, focused on developing clinically validated products for vulnerable populations. The site operates as an advanced life-science innovation center driving product development and process excellence.

About the Role
The Process Development Engineer is responsible for preparing, validating, and managing high-quality process data within a PLM environment. The role supports product and process development by coordinating laboratory, pilot plant, and factory-scale trials while ensuring consistent alignment between R&I, Operations, Quality, and Product Development. It requires a hands-on engineering mindset, strong data capabilities, and the ability to maintain and optimise process specifications across the full lifecycle.

Responsibilities
- Prepare, structure, and upload process data into the PLM system (CYBELE / Infor PLM)
- Validate process data with R&I, Product Development, Operations, and Quality teams
- Identify, develop, and optimise cost-effective process technologies for specialised nutrition products
- Support trials for new product introductions at European supply points
- Conduct laboratory testing, pilot plant trials, and factory-scale trials
- Extract, structure, and present trial results in a clear and actionable format
- Standardise process templates, critical parameters, and ways of working
- Maintain and update process specifications throughout the project lifecycle
- Ensure strong alignment between process and product specifications within PLM
- Contribute to data governance and continuous improvement of CYBELE processes
- Identify gaps and improvement opportunities in datasets and system infrastructure
- Train key users and end users on PLM tools (including Optiva)
- Prepare concise summaries and updates for senior stakeholders
- Build consolidated databases from PLM recipe and process data to support analytics and benchmarking

Requirements
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocessing, or related field
- 1–3 years of experience in factory technology, process engineering, or R&D process environments
- Affinity with food systems; experience in dairy, powder processing, or spray drying is an advantage
- Experience with PLM systems (Infor PLM / CYBELE / Optiva) or comparable digital tools
- Strong understanding of process development and process technology
- Hands-on experience with lab, pilot plant, and factory trial activities
- Strong capabilities in analysing, structuring, and managing technical datasets
- Experience with data management and maintaining structured databases
- Advanced Excel skills (formulas, lookups, conditional logic, pivot tables, data cleaning)
- Ability to work cross-functionally with R&I, Quality, Operations, and supply points
- Strong communication skills and the ability to engage stakeholders from operator to director
- Proactive, analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and data integrity

Other Information
- Travel to European supply points required
- Hands-on lab/pilot/factory involvement
- Cross-functional role in a research and innovation environment

 

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