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Science & ResearchISCO 2141

Food production engineer

A food production engineer is a person who looks after the electrical and mechanical side of the equipment and machinery used to make food and drink.

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Rate 5 of the 20 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

disassemble equipment

configure plants for food industry

apply HACCP

develop food production processes

manage all process engineering activities

About food production engineer

An engineer in the food industry monitors the condition of equipment and manages all process engineering activities, with the aim of getting the fullest use out of the plant. That is achieved by preventive work: routine maintenance of machines, observance of hygiene rules, good manufacturing practice, and health and safety at work. Corrective actions are managed as well, which means deciding what to do after a breakdown and what to change so that it does not recur.

The engineer also develops the layout of a food processing plant so that the path of the raw material, the path of the finished product and the path of the staff do not cross where that would risk contamination. The engineer breaks the production plan down into tasks for individual lines and shifts and writes the food production procedures that operators work to.

Electrical engineering is needed as well, because a production line also includes drives, sensors and control systems. The engineer also applies food authentication techniques, which establish whether an ingredient is what it was declared to be. Formal requirements are set by the employer and by the food safety rules of each country.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a food production engineer.

1

Equipment Maintenance and Monitoring

  • Conduct routine preventive maintenance on production equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety
  • Monitor equipment condition using diagnostic tools and address mechanical or electrical issues promptly
  • Disassemble and reassemble equipment components for repairs, upgrades, and compliance verification
2

Quality Assurance and Compliance

  • Apply and maintain HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) protocols across production processes
  • Ensure compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and food safety regulations
  • Carry out checks and audits of production plant equipment to verify operational standards
  • Implement corrective actions when deviations or non-conformances are identified
3

Process Engineering and Optimization

  • Develop and configure food production processes tailored to specific product requirements
  • Manage all process engineering activities to maximize plant productivity and minimize resource waste
  • Disaggregate and analyze production plans to identify optimization opportunities
4

Regulatory Knowledge and Innovation

  • Stay current with evolving food manufacturing regulations, safety standards, and industry innovations
  • Apply knowledge of food authentication techniques and fraud prevention measures
  • Evaluate new technologies and equipment to improve production efficiency and compliance

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (20)

electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.food storagefood storageThe proper conditions and methods to store food to keep it from spoiling, taking into account humidity, light, temperature and other environmental factors.food authentication techniquesfood authentication techniquesMethodologies, analytical techniques and indicators applied to verify food authenticity and detect frauds.food fraudfood fraudInvestigation techniques to detect the act of deliberately adulterating information related to the nature, identity, properties, composition, quantity, durability, country of origin or place of proven...disassemble equipmentdisassemble equipmentDisassembles equipment using hand tools in order to clean equipments and to perform regular operational maintenance.configure plants for food industryconfigure plants for food industryDesign plants configuration, including sources and equipment for the food industry so that they can be readily adapted to suit the product range and the process technologies involved. Take environment...apply HACCPapply HACCPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).develop food production processesdevelop food production processesDevelop processes and techniques for food production or food preservation. Engage in the design, development, construction and operation of industrial processes and techniques for food manufacturing.manage all process engineering activitiesmanage all process engineering activitiesManaging all process engineering activities in the plant keeping track of plant maintenance, improvement and requirements for effective production.monitor equipment conditionmonitor equipment conditionMonitor the correct functioning of gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.apply GMPapply GMPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).keep up with innovations in food manufacturingkeep up with innovations in food manufacturingLatest innovative products and technologies to process, preserve, package and improve food products.mitigate waste of resourcesmitigate waste of resourcesEvaluate and identify opportunities to use resources more efficiently with continuously striving to reduce waste of utilities.disaggregate the production plandisaggregate the production planSplits production plan in daily, weekly, and monthly plans with clear objectives and targets required.manage corrective actionsmanage corrective actionsImplementing corrective action and continuous improvement plans from internal and third party audits to meet food safety and quality performance indicators with adherance to agreed timescales.carry out checks of production plant equipmentcarry out checks of production plant equipmentCarry out checks of the machinery and equipment used in the production plant. Ensure that the machinery is working properly, set machines before usage, and assure continuous operability of the equipme...keep up-to-date with regulationskeep up-to-date with regulationsMaintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and apply this knowledge in specific sectors.quality assurance methodologiesquality assurance methodologiesQuality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesapply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesApply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.
Optional (12) — show
food homogenisationfood homogenisationThe procedures, machines and reciped used to mix different foodstuffs and solutions by transforming them through high pressure and acceleration processes into an uniform fluid or product.food and beverage industryfood and beverage industryThe respective industry and the processes involved in the food and beverage industry, such as raw material selection, processing, packaging, and storage.food preservationfood preservationDeterioration factors, controlling factors (temperature, additives, humidity, pH, water activity, etc., including packaging) and food processing methods to preserve food products.food plant designfood plant designContribute to food plant design by assessing the processes, facilities and equipment needs, including monitoring activities and control.lead process optimisationlead process optimisationLead process optimisation using statistical data. Design experiments on the production line and functional process control models.be at ease in unsafe environmentsbe at ease in unsafe environmentsBe at ease in unsafe environments like being exposed to dust, rotating equipment, hot surfaces, sub-freezing and cold storage areas, noise, wet floors and moving lift equipment.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...assess HACCP implementation in plantsassess HACCP implementation in plantsAssess the adequate implementation of HACCP in plants. Assure that plants are operating within the specifications of their written plans for HACCP, sanitation, and processing.perform quality auditsperform quality auditsExecute regular, systematic and documented examinations of a quality system for verifying conformity with a standard based on objective evidence such as the implementation of processes, effectiveness ...ensure compliance with environmental legislation in food productionensure compliance with environmental legislation in food productionMake sure to comply with environmental legislation in food production. Understand the legislation related to environmental matters in food manufacturing and apply it in practice.analyse work-related written reportsanalyse work-related written reportsRead and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.ensure full functioning of food plant machineryensure full functioning of food plant machineryEnsure and maintain manufacturing process equipment and ensure such machinery operates in a clean, organised environment in compliance with food safety requirements.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a food production engineer do?

Food production engineers oversee the electrical and mechanical needs of the equipment and machinery required in the process of manufacturing food or beverages. They strive to maximise plant productivity by engaging in preventive actions in reference to health and safety, good manufacturing practices (GMP), hygiene compliance, and performance of routine maintenance of machines and equipment.

What skills does a food production engineer need?

A food production engineer needs 20 essential skills, including electrical engineering, electronics, food storage, food authentication techniques, food fraud.

Will AI replace food production engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for food production engineer is 65/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write work-related reports, food storage, disaggregate the production plan. Most resilient: be at ease in unsafe environments, disassemble equipment, food homogenisation.

AI Replacement Risk

65/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills20

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