R&D Engineer (Protein Processing Technology)

Middleby
  • Elk Grove Village, IL
  • $80,000–$115,000 Per Year
14 days ago

Job Description

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Job Type

Full-time

Description

Do you want to design machinery that shapes the future of global food production? Are you looking for a role where you can jump from 3D CAD modeling to building and testing a physical prototype on the shop floor in the same week?

Cozzini, LLC is looking for an R&D Engineer to join our innovation engine. We don't just build machines; we engineer advanced capital equipment solutions that help the protein industry run faster, cleaner, and more sustainably. If you have a passion for complex machine design, automation, and hands-on problem-solving, this is your sandbox.

What You'll Do:

  • Invent and Improve: Conduct research into emerging industry trends to design and develop cutting-edge machinery for food processing applications.
  • Build and Break Prototypes: Move designs out of the computer and into reality. You will build, test, and validate prototypes, push them to their limits, analyze performance data, and refine them for market launch.
  • Master a Diverse Technical Landscape: Work across an exciting mix of mechanical systems (grinding, mixing, vacuum, and pumping), electrical/automation systems (servo motion, low-voltage AC, control panels), and sanitary stainless steel fabrication.
  • Ensure Global Compliance: Embed safety and reliability into every design, keeping up with OSHA compliance, CE certifications, and strict sanitary standards.
  • Collaborate Across the Business: Partner closely with Sales to understand customer needs, and work hand-in-hand with Manufacturing and Quality to make sure your designs can be built flawlessly.

What We're Looking For:

  • A solid engineering foundation with proven experience in a manufacturing, automation, or food processing environment.
  • Deep curiosity and technical breadth-comfortable talking about both stainless steel weldments and servo motor motion profiles.
  • A hands-on troubleshooting mindset that thrives on finding the root cause of mechanical or electrical challenges.

Benefits:

  • Health insurance
  • Health Savings Account w/ ER contribution
  • Flexible Spending Account w/ ER contribution
  • Dental Insurance
  • Company Paid Disability Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Company Paid Life insurance
  • Paid holidays
  • Paid time off
  • 401k
  • Vision insurance

Cozzini, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EOE/M/F/Vets/Disabled) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.

Principals only, please no third parties.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in R&D engineering, preferably within food processing or capital equipment manufacturing environments
  • Working knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines and technologies outlined within the position overview
  • Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD for equipment design and modeling
  • Familiarity with USDA, FDA, and other applicable food safety regulations and standards
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Willingness to travel as needed to support equipment installations and customer-related activities

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working with food processing systems, particularly within the protein processing industry
  • Previous experience developing, supporting, or contributing to patent-related projects or innovations
  • Experience within capital equipment manufacturing environments

Salary Description

$80k to 115K

Numbers & Facts

LocationElk Grove Village, IL
Salary$80,000–$115,000 Per Year

Skills

  • 3D Modelingunmatched
  • Analysis Skillsunmatched
  • AutoCADunmatched
  • Automationunmatched
  • Automation Systemsunmatched
  • CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Softwareunmatched
  • CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing)unmatched
  • Capital Equipmentunmatched
  • Communication Skillsunmatched
  • Cross-Functionalunmatched
  • Data Analysisunmatched
  • Dental Insuranceunmatched
  • Disability Insuranceunmatched
  • Electrical Engineeringunmatched
  • Electricityunmatched
  • Employee Assistance Planunmatched
  • FDA (Food and Drug Administration)unmatched
  • Flexible Spending Accountsunmatched
  • Food Productionunmatched
  • Food Safetyunmatched
  • Grindingunmatched
  • Health Insuranceunmatched
  • Identify Issuesunmatched
  • Industry/Trade Analysisunmatched
  • Life Insuranceunmatched
  • Low Voltage (LV)unmatched
  • Maintain Complianceunmatched
  • Manufacturingunmatched
  • Manufacturing Automationunmatched
  • Multitaskingunmatched
  • Needs Assessmentunmatched
  • OSHAunmatched
  • Partner Salesunmatched
  • Patentsunmatched
  • Performance Analysisunmatched
  • Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
  • Project/Program Managementunmatched
  • Prototypingunmatched
  • Regulationsunmatched
  • Research & Development (R&D)unmatched
  • Research Skillsunmatched
  • Root Cause Analysisunmatched
  • Safety Complianceunmatched
  • Servomechanismunmatched
  • SolidWorksunmatched
  • Team Playerunmatched
  • Testingunmatched
  • Trend Analysisunmatched
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)unmatched
  • Vision Planunmatched
  • Willing to Travelunmatched

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