Food Process Engineer

About the Company

LAPORTE is a consulting engineering organization focused on pharmaceutical, agrifood, industrial biotechnology, and industrial plant process work. With 25 years in operation, the firm now has 25 offices throughout North America and Europe and employs more than 480 people who are passionate about engineering.

The company promotes an engaging workplace built around independence, teamwork, and ongoing professional development. It also emphasizes flexibility, efficiency, creativity, and a healthy work-life balance.

Role Overview

LAPORTE is looking for a Food Process Engineer with 6 to 10 years of process design experience in the food, beverage, or biotech sectors to join its Toronto, Ontario team. In this role, you will design and oversee process engineering projects, ensure work aligns with relevant codes and standards, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across North America.

Key Responsibilities

You will be involved in defining project needs, reviewing client requirements, and guiding projects through all phases while protecting scope, schedule, budget, and compliance obligations. The role combines project management and technical design work in roughly equal measure, along with client interaction, site visits, and coordination with suppliers, contractors, and internal teams.

Technical and Project Duties

• Support early project scoping by working with clients to clarify needs and define project objectives.
• Examine client specifications and translate them into workable engineering requirements.
• Direct projects from start to finish, ensuring alignment with codes, standards, scope, timelines, and budget.
• Prepare conceptual, preliminary, and detailed engineering designs, drawings, and specifications.
• Assess engineering deliverables, uphold quality standards, and identify project risks.
• Carry out work in line with Laporte’s Professional Practice Management Plan and internal guidelines.
• Draft technical reports and analytical documentation to support design submissions.
• Check shop drawings for conformity and contribute to the creation of engineering standards.
• Request quotations from suppliers and contractors and follow up as needed.
• Visit project sites and complete field surveys when required.
• Allocate about half of the role to managing deliverables and project execution, and about half to process, utilities, and mechanical design work.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary design teams across North America.
• Lead project team meetings.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local codes and standards relevant to the work.
• Keep a strong reference base of standards and internal best practices.
• Contribute ideas and help drive improvements to firm operations and procedures.
• Foster strong working relationships with clients and consultants from other disciplines.
• Support business development and growth initiatives in different regions.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related discipline, along with a provincial P. Eng. designation or eligibility for it. You should bring 6 to 10 years of progressive process design experience in the food, beverage, or biotech industry.

Hands-on exposure to fluid and bulk material handling, process flow diagrams, heat and material balances, and P&IDs is required. Experience with sanitary process systems, including piping, vessels, and CIP systems, is also important. Familiarity with CFIA and HACCP requirements is expected, while Lean Manufacturing knowledge is considered an advantage.

Additional strengths include understanding post-implementation continuous improvement practices, proficiency with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and Revit, and the ability to travel to manufacturing sites when necessary.

Benefits and Perks

• Salary aligned with experience and market standards.
• Group health coverage starting on day one, including medical, dental, vision, and childcare support.
• Employer RRSP contribution of 4%.
• Hybrid arrangement with at least 2 in-office days per week.
• Support for professional development, including reimbursement of fees such as APEGA and PEO memberships.
• Mentorship, training, and cross-functional growth opportunities.
• Three weeks of standard vacation, plus one paid week during the Christmas period.
• Nearly one week of personal/sick leave.
• An inclusive and flexible workplace culture that values equity, efficiency, balance, and long-term growth.
• Team activities such as Lunch & Learn sessions, retreats, outdoor events, family gatherings, and workshops.
• Reimbursement for public transportation and telephone expenses.

Work Arrangement

This is a full-time position based in Toronto, Ontario. The role is primarily onsite, with a hybrid schedule that requires a minimum of two days per week in the office.

Additional Information

The company highlights a collaborative, growth-oriented environment and welcomes candidates who are motivated to contribute to both project success and broader business development efforts.