Senior Process Engineer
The Hershey Company · Hershey, PA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Process
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior process role at The Hershey Company (food & beverage) in Hershey, PA. Possess a strong understanding of the design, application, and maintenance of process piping systems, food manufacturing equipment and process automation & instrumentation.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Tools it names
- FDA / GMP, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in Pennsylvania: typical posted base $80k–$100k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 29 process engineer openings in Pennsylvania, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Pennsylvania plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 28 other live process postings in Pennsylvania.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 38%
- Lean 28%
- ✓ Team leadership 24%
- Six Sigma 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Process team at The Hershey Company
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: The Hershey Company in Hershey
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Full description from The Hershey CompanyAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and provide processing solutions for the project.
- ✓PFD & P&ID generation and development.
- ✓Equipment specification & selection and evaluation of equipment suppliers.
- ✓Cost estimating for capital projects and process solutions.
Experience
3+ Years experience in process design typical for the food and pharma industry, including:
A strong understanding of: common process unit operations and equipment, sanitary design and construction practices, GMP’s and Food Safety, and common equipment suppliers
Possess a strong understanding of the design, application, and maintenance of process piping systems, food manufacturing equipment and process automation & instrumentation
Demonstrated proficiencies in the food, pharmaceutical or other industry that is relative to Hershey manufacturing processes, construction practices, standards, and codes that support manufacturing
Prioritize solutions and develop schedules based on an understanding of the required business objectives.
Strong troubleshooting and optimization skills
Must be able to execute projects in a timely manner.
Education
BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Food, Agricultural, or other closely related Engineering field.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Location: Hershey, PA or Open to Remote if Near US Plant
Why Hershey
At The Hershey Company, our culture is rooted in purpose and inspired by Milton Hershey’s enduring vision that business should create opportunity for others. Through our commitment to corporate philanthropy, we create positive impact by supporting communities, helping children thrive, and operating as a business for good. This includes our deep and long standing partnership with Milton Hershey School, where we invest in education, workforce readiness, and hands on engagement to help students succeed beyond the classroom. Supported by strategic grantmaking, product donations, cross brand collaboration, and strong employee volunteerism, Hershey offers a place to work where making a difference—locally and globally—is part of how we do business every day.
How will you fit in the big picture?
Reporting to the Senior Manager in the Process Engineering Group and working at the Technical Center in Hershey PA, the Senior Process Engineer (Process Engineer III) position will, with minimal direction, lead the conceptual and detailed engineering design, execution, and implementation of medium complexity projects requiring functional and industry expertise while leveraging relationships to deliver business results. This position requires a critical thinker who possesses strong technical knowledge, and who has demonstrated strong problem solving and optimization skills. This position will work collaboratively with both technical and business partners, with the strong capability to communicate complex technical subject matter in verbal and written form to audiences at all levels of the organization. The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity and possess the leadership attributes required to influence cross functional teams.
Specific Role Focus Area
- •Conceptual and detailed engineering design and cost estimation for capital projects supporting North American manufacturing.
- •Implementation & Execution of capital projects to support North American Manufacturing.
- •Problem solving through application of technical acumen and creative thinking
- •May manage process-focused capital projects.
- •May manage co-ops or interns, including interviewing and selection.
This role will interact and partner with
- •Other Corporate Engineering functions (Project Management, Electrical, Packaging, Civil, Utilities)
- •Plant Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Safety, and Quality Assurance
- •Quality and Regulatory Compliance
- •Environmental, Health, and Safety
- •Operations Business Development
- •Technical and professional employees within Global R&D and Tech Center Operations
- •Marketing
- •Manufacturing Alliances
- •Procurement
- •External Vendors
Travel Expectations
This position will require domestic and international travel at times to support the ongoing business. Travel is project dependent.
What will you do?
Implementation & Execution of capital projects: 50-60%
- •Construction scope and bid package development for small to large capital projects.
- •Coordinate and oversee the Equipment and system installation, check- out, and commissioning.
- •Responsible for process support, troubleshooting, and optimization during startup.
- •With minimal direction. lead training of manufacturing personnel including operators, supervisors, QA, and maintenance on the key operating parameters of the process.
- •Successful transition of deliverables and documentation to Plant Operations and Maintenance staff.
Conceptual and detailed engineering design and cost estimation for capital projects: 40-50%
- •Develop manufacturing alternatives that meet the business
Capital Project Management: 0-10%
- •Budget, schedule, and resource management of process-focused capital projects.
- •With minimal direction, lead multi-functional teams to ensure projects are executed successfully.
- •Make critical decisions under pressure and with limited information.
General attributes and skills to include
Strong leadership and decision-making ability.
Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong written and oral communication skills
Must be open and comfortable with change.
Must be versed with MS Office programs.
Minimum 4 years of experience in Food Processing, Confectionery, Pharmaceutical or related industries
Process engineering, process design and project management experience, including process troubleshooting and optimization