A reputation for excellence.
A culture of COMMUNITY.
At VAA, we build value through relationships. Relationships with some of the country’s leading organizations and brands – and genuine, mutually supportive relationships within our teams. Join one of the industry’s leading firms, where you’ll be respected for the work you do and the diverse perspective you bring to the team.
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Find your place.
Supportive Culture
From your first day, you’ll be set up for success. We offer new-hire peer guidance, mentoring programs and wellness resources to support physical, mental, financial and social wellbeing.
Feel valued.
Exceptional Benefits
Get peace of mind from comprehensive and flexible insurance coverage, industry-leading HSA contributions, paid parental leave, a robust employee assistance program… even pet insurance.
Stay engaged.
Challenging Work
At our multidisciplinary and diversified firm, you’ll have opportunities to work on a wide range of challenging projects designed to ensure efficiency and safety across essential supply chains.
Be seen and heard.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We believe that diverse perspectives contribute to collective growth. As an equal opportunity employer, VAA is committed to fostering an inclusive culture.
Live fully.
Life / Work Balance
A good career choice can enhance your quality of life – both professionally and personally. VAA offers flexible work options, onsite wellness resources and fun opportunities for friendly competition.
Expand your horizons.
Professional Development
Where can you go from here? Your manager will work with you to map out your path, where you can take advantage of online learning, tuition reimbursement and support to advance your career.
Speak Up.
Every Voice Matters
We invite you to be part of the solution. On a regular basis, VAA seeks out employee feedback and applies those insights to our continual improvement efforts.
Make an Impact.
Community & Global Initiatives
Package meals… raise a hammer… walk for animals… race canoes… dunk the CEO. From volunteer events to our annual community fundraising drive, to charitable PTO, we stand behind paying it forward.
Browse current job openings
Senior Food Process Engineer (Hybrid)
VAA is seeking a Senior Food Process Engineer to join our team. This position provides technical leadership in food production process design and acts as a point of contact for our food production clients and internal design teams as required on projects that include food process equipment/line optimization and debottlenecking, process and packaging equipment upgrades and procurement specifications.
Your role:
- Serve as the client and internal team's main point of contact for the process design areas of expertise.
- Prepare process engineering analyses, diagrams, reports, equipment and instrumentation procurement specifications, and layout sketches for project screening, basis of design, and execution phases.
- Review technical proposals from process and utility equipment vendors and provide bid tabs and recommendations to clients.
- Research, understand and convey client's needs to meet client's expectations for their process optimization and upgrade.
- Facilitate internal and external coordination meetings (clients, equipment suppliers) as required.
- Communicate with clients, equipment vendors, installation contractors and other stakeholders regarding the process design.
- Closely manage project budget; identify and prepare requests for additional services.
- Closely manage work schedule; proactively communicate any potential delays to VAA project manager.
- Oversee, review, and redline work of junior process engineers and technical staff.
- Demonstrate leadership with excellent responsiveness to clients.
- Perform site visits to collect design information and meet with project stakeholders as required
Your resume must include:
- BS or MS in Chemical, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering
- 8+ years of food equipment and plant design experience.
- Consulting engineering experience preferred.
- Strong background in food process engineering, including equipment and CIP system design, mass and energy balances, and food safety regulations.
- Experience developing process documentation (BFDs, PFDs, P&IDs), instrumentation specifications, procurement packages, and food processing equipment
Starting Salary Range: $100,000 - $150,000. A variety of factors are considered when determining an offer including, but not limited to, market data, geographic location, experience, and specialized skills.
Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, profit-sharing, 401(k), paid leave, and more!
Get to Know VAA
VAA is an Engineering, Planning and Design firm specializing in commercial projects, bulk commodity-handling facilities, and structures for value-added processing, manufacturing and distribution. VAA is one of the industry's leading firms, combining nearly a half-century of excellence with a vibrant, future-focused energy. We serve a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from multinational corporations to local municipalities to individual farms and businesses.
Hear first-hand what it's like to work here, the range of opportunities you can find and the wealth of resources that will support you - both professionally and personally:
https://vaaeng.com/careers/#careers-video
Why VAA?
- It's not all calcs and CAD around here. Join your peers for a chili cookoff or homebrew tasting... get an opportunity to dunk the CEO during our annual Community Caring Campaign. Take advantage of charitable PTO to volunteer for organizations you're passionate about. At VAA, we're committed to building community from within and making a difference in the communities where we live and work.
- Support for life/work balance: flexible schedule options, onsite gym, Employee Assistance Program, and fun opportunities for friendly competition
- Ongoing professional development, including mentoring, online learning and tuition reimbursement.
- An award-winning workplace, recognized by USA Today as a national 2024, 2025, and 2026 Top Workplace USA and by the Star Tribune as one of Minnesota's Top 200 Workplaces (2022/2023/2024/2025).
Let's get growing™
Your career. Your talents. Your network.
Apply today!
#VAA #SeniorFoodProcessEngineer #FoodProcess Engineer #ProcessEngineer
Local & national recognition
2024-2026 National recognition based on employee survey results
2022-2025 National recognition based on employee survey results
2022-2025 National recognition based on employee survey results
2026 Recognition in Top Workplaces Industry & Occupation Awards based on employee survey results.
2024-2025 National recognition based on employee survey results.
2022-2026 Local recognition based on employee survey results
How OUR HIRING PRocess Works
Select a position you are interested in; upload your resume and follow the application steps. You will receive an email notifying you that your application has been received.
VAA will review your application and contact you if your background meets our hiring needs. (This generally takes 1-2 weeks.)
Our interview process varies by group. Candidates may participate in phone, virtual, and/or in-person interviews. Most candidates will participate in 1-2 rounds of interviews.
We will notify you as soon as possible. If you receive an offer, the manager will call you, followed by a written offer from Human Resources.
If you choose to accept the offer, VAA Human Resources will work with you to set a start date and finalize other details.
If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at hr@vaaeng.com or by calling 763.559.9100 and asking for an HR representative.