Food engineers perform a wide variety of jobs, and these jobs are incredibly important in terms of food safety and quality. Students who wish to become food engineers often complete a bachelor’s degree in agriculture or food science before entering the field. They must learn the rules of safety, preparation and storage, and the chemical processes that result in the creation of new products. Since these jobs are so important to the health and welfare of the general population, food engineers actually play a much more important role than many people believe. They tend to work for companies such as Frito Lay, Nabisco, Tyson, and other large processing companies to ensure that the food put on the market is of high quality and is safe to consume.
Other engineering jobs for food engineers involves working for agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These regulatory agencies provide jobs in engineering to professionals who can help them monitor the quality of new products and to make sure that farmers and other agriculturalists are following food safety measures. Other engineering jobs may be offered to individuals looking to create new products such as pharmaceuticals or supplements.
Another popular area for jobs in engineering for food safety specialists involves creating new storage equipment that will help maintain high-quality products for longer periods of time. These individuals may work with companies like Walmart or other food distributors to consult on new methods for food preservation and quality control. They may also conduct research on certain foods to see what the ideal storage conditions are for these items and design plans for implementing these conditions in the stores.
Working as a food engineer requires several important skills, including organization, attention to detail, creativity, and excellent analytical skills. Food engineers may have to create reports about food safety precautions, regulatory measures, or reviews of restaurants and their food safety hazards. Therefore, strong writing skills are also an advantage in this field.