Principal R&D Engineer - Ingredient Systems & Particle Engineering

This is a senior technical leadership role for an engineer who can manage ambiguity, challenge historical thinking, influence cross-functional partners, mentor others, and create practical solution paths that are technically sound, scalable, sustainable, and business-relevant. The Principal Engineer will partner with Product Development, Flavor & Concentrate Development, Quality, Packaging, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, suppliers, co-packers, and external technical partners. Particle & Material Science Lead process development and scale-up for powdered beverages, dry mixes, emulsions, and complex ingredient systems from bench through commercialization. Define material and processing requirements for powder flow, dry blending, dispersion, dissolution, hydration, agglomeration, ingredient variability, and powder handling. Apply particle science, material science, rheology, transport phenomena, and first-principles engineering to explain technical behavior and guide decisions. Develop robust processing solutions for emulsification, homogenization, stabilizer systems, viscosity control, separation risk, texture, mouthfeel, and shelf-life stability. Process Technology & Scale-Up Support plants and co-packers through capability assessments, process fit and equipment gap evaluations, startup support, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and qualification recommendations. Collaborate with Procurement, suppliers, flavor houses, ingredient partners, and external experts to assess ingredient-process interactions, alternative materials, productivity opportunities, and technical capability. Translate technical findings into clear tradeoffs, recommendations, risks, and business implications for cross-functional stakeholders and leadership. Use statistical analysis, historical and plant data, visualization, modeling, simulation, predictive analytics, and AI-enabled tools to improve trial design, troubleshooting, and technical decisions. Create reusable technical knowledge, including process flow diagrams, operating windows, manufacturing instructions, trial protocols, validation summaries, standards, and lessons learned. Advance process standards, digital knowledge systems, validation playbooks, and future-ready ways of working. Coach and mentor others in disciplined, data-driven scale-up and commercialization. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred. Minimum 10+ years of relevant experience in R&D process engineering, process technology, food or beverage processing, technical commercialization, manufacturing engineering, or related CPG technical roles. Demonstrated commercialization experience with powdered beverages, dry mix systems, emulsions, or complex ingredient platforms, including scale-up from bench or pilot through plant production. Depth in at least one core domain, powder and particle systems or liquid and colloidal systems, with strong working knowledge of the adjacent domain and the ability to integrate ingredient, process, equipment, and product requirements. Experience leading pilot and plant trials, validation, technical risk assessments, capability evaluations, structured troubleshooting, and commercialization readiness decisions. Ability to apply DOE, statistical analysis, data visualization, modeling, or predictive methods to process development and technical decision-making. Proven ability to manage ambiguity, influence without authority, mentor technical talent, and develop practical, scalable solutions to complex problems. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate technical findings into clear tradeoffs and business implications.