The Junior Sanitary Design Specialist supports the development, evaluation, and improvement of food processing and packaging machinery to ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, and 3-A Sanitary Standards. This entry-level role assists in applying hygienic design principles to equipment layouts, materials, and interfaces, supporting food safety, cleanability, and regulatory compliance. The position works under senior engineers and cross-functional teams to gain experience in sanitary engineering within a food manufacturing setting.
Assist in the design and review of equipment layouts, surfaces, and components to ensure cleanability and compliance with USDA/FDA/3-A standards.
Support audits and inspections by preparing documentation and collecting data on sanitary design practices.
Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and quality teams to identify and correct hygienic design deficiencies.
Participate in the evaluation of new machinery for compliance with food safety and sanitary design principles.
Help document and maintain sanitary design specifications, SOPs, and validation reports.
Assist in performing risk assessments related to cleanability, contamination, and equipment surfaces.
Learn and apply hygienic design guidelines (3-A, AMI, NSF, EHEDG) in day-to-day activities.
Support continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety and hygienic engineering.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related technical discipline.
Recent graduates or candidates with food safety coursework are encouraged to apply.
Experience:
Internship, co-op, or academic project experience in sanitary design, food equipment, or regulatory compliance preferred but not required.
Technical Skills:
Basic understanding of hygienic design principles and food safety standards.
Familiarity with CAD tools and mechanical drawing review.
Knowledge of materials (e.g., stainless steel, food-grade polymers) and surface finishes used in sanitary applications.
Soft Skills:
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation abilities.
Good communication and collaboration skills.
Eagerness to learn sanitary engineering in a regulated manufacturing environment.