R&D Engineering Technician

Overview

The Valhalla Pilot Plant Team is committed to providing Pepsi's R&D with the highest quality product that meets all Safe, Stable and Legal requirements. The Team in Valhalla supports our extensive beverage business, not just in North America, but around the world.

Responsibilities

• Develop partnerships with Research Scientists and Engineers to effectively and efficiently meet business objectives.
• Develops in-depth knowledge of and experience with technical methods coupled with some understanding of applicable scientific principles.
• Work independently with little or no supervision to meet daily objectives.
• Provide leadership in a team environment that supports the needs of the business units and pilot plant.
• Help develop the skills of less experienced technicians, new hires, and temporary staff.
• Have basic knowledge of most of the processing equipment in the pilot plant in terms of set up, operation and clean up, and demonstrate expertise in at least one area to support the needs of the business units.
• Use technical experience to drive innovation and communicate more efficient processes and procedures.
• Collect data, interpret it, and communicate observations to the Research Scientists and Engineers.
• Write Standard Operating Procedures for equipment or processing lines.
• Demonstrates ability to focus and clearly communicate ideas, issues or problem and communicates results of work in an impactful way.
• Travel to plants and co-packers to assist Research Scientists and Engineers or work independently.
• Work with the maintenance department to ensure completion of preventative maintenance, calibration, repairs, modifications, and fabrication of equipment in your area.
• Provide leadership to safety, QA/Food Safety and sanitation programs as needed.
• Track inventory of raw materials, equipment parts and other PepsiCo assets.
• Systematically recognizes priorities (differentiating between urgent, important and less important) and automatically adjusts work plans / schedules accordingly.
• Pro-actively communicate cross-functionally with the Business Units, Warehouse, Purchasing, Maintenance, Analytical, Microbiology, Safety, QA/Food Safety and Sanitation groups.
• Identify and recommend capital needs for the pilot plant.

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $59,000 - $88,500.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

• Minimum HS diploma
• 3 year's production plant experience preferred.
• Experienced in Food Processing equipment
• Ability to establish priorities
• Computer literacy with Word & Excel experience
• Good communication skills
• Able to work independently without supervision
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong knowledge in mechanical operations of process/package equipment
• Basic understanding of Programmable Logic computers and process software programs
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds repeatedly
• Willing to be flexible with work hours