Principal R&D Engineer

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 Product Innovation Principal Engineer is responsible for leading all aspects of new product development, processing development, processing equipment selection, and authoring specifications for both product and processing systems. As part of the KDP Coffee & Powders Innovation team, this individual will provide high level strategic direction for the company’s beverage growth while also leading improvements in manufacturing, quality, cost, and safety. This position partners closely with internal cross functional teams such as project management, quality, marketing, safety, environmental and operations resources, and external partners. The individual will be expected to provide leadership and guidance to fellow scientists, to co-manufacturing 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 formulation and scale up, specifically of powders & granulation unit operations, managing design of experiments, test methods development, communication with key suppliers, partners, and consultants, new ingredients research, and specifications development.  Intimate knowledge and demonstrated application of particle engineering, formation, solids handling, processing and powder reconstitution will be imperative to be successful in this role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Defining powder product and processing specifications
• Strategic planning for powder product development and processing
• Vendor evaluation, selection and management
• Research in knowledge-base and expertise in the science of particle engineering and processing
• Development of commercial scale experimental designs and qualifications for granulation processes.
• Improvements to existing processes, specifically granulation processing equipment
• Explore and develop new granulation technologies to enable superior performance and efficiency in manufacturing.
• 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
• Mentor other product development scientists

• 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

• Follow all policies, procedures, ergonomic standards and safety requirements directed by the Organization and Function
• Performs other duties as requested by management
• M.S. in an engineering discipline with 7+ years of experience, Ph.D. strongly preferred with 3+ years of experience.
• Knowledge and experience in powder processing ideally with specific experience in the food industry (especially in powdered beverages)
• 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 a plus
• Knowledge of powder reconstitution phenomena and rate kinetics
• Knowledge of design requirements related to food safety, including SQF, FDA, GMP
• Knowledge and experience in preparation of PFD’s, P&ID’s
• Knowledge and experience in modeling unit operation processes, including parameter estimation, population balance modeling, and reconstitution kinetics modeling.
• Hands-on experience with process development, startup and commissioning
• Highly collaborative communication and strong presentation skills
• Must be very organized and able to manage multiple project activities/priorities
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, influencing
• Strategic thinker
• Ability to synthesize a vision/mission into tangible ideas that win with consumers
• Change readiness, resiliency and flexibility to thrive in a constantly-changing and fast moving organization
• Ability to travel (about 50%)
• Excellent MS Office skills

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.