Pilot Plant Technician

About the role

Technicians play a key role in Nestlé’s innovation process by organizing and executing pilot plant trials under general supervision. This swing‑shift position involves setting up, operating, and maintaining food processing equipment while supporting project teams and contributing to continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Set up, start up, operate, clean, and shut down food processing equipment, including roasters, evaporators, and dryers.
• Perform mechanical repairs, inspections, and troubleshooting; execute equipment change‑over activities.
• Document trial data, prepare summaries, and analyze results from test measurements, process controls, and quality monitoring.
• Run quality checks such as sediment, moisture, and powder density; operate heaters, coolers, and fluidizing lines.
• Support project leaders and pilot‑plant team members in trial preparation, execution, review, and process improvement.
• Follow all safety and security rules, including LOTO, and adhere to SOPs and good manufacturing practices.

Required profile

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 1–3 years of operational/manufacturing experience, preferably with complex systems such as roasters, evaporators, centrifuges, or spray/batch dryers.
• Experience with thermal and aseptic processing equipment and safety devices like rupture discs and safety valves.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lb (occasionally with assistance over 50 lb).
• Strong critical and analytical problem‑solving skills.

Required skills

• Mechanical troubleshooting and repair.
• Equipment setup, operation, and change‑over.
• Performing calculations related to process parameters.
• Data analysis and documentation of trial results.
• Quality monitoring (sediment, moisture, powder density).