Spray Drying Process Engineer
Location: Skelmersdale
Contract: Permanent | Full time
About the role
We're recruiting a Spray Drying Process Engineer to join our Skelmersdale site, this is a newly created role due to business demanad and growth, playing a critical role in the technical ownership, optimisation and long-term performance of our spray drying and evaporation processes. This is a hands-on, site-based engineering role with real accountability, focused on process stability, asset care, performance improvement and technical problem-solving within a complex food manufacturing environment. You'll act as the technical escalation point for spray dryers and evaporators, working closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality and CI teams to reduce losses, improve efficiency, and drive continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities
Technical ownership of spray dryers, evaporators and associated powder handling systems
Develop and embed preventative maintenance strategies and asset care standards
Create, standardise and maintain SOPs, critical process parameters and set points
Lead dryer top loss reviews and performance improvement activities
Use data analysis, root-cause analysis and process modelling to drive OEE, yield and energy improvements
Act as technical escalation lead for drying-related operational issues
Support investigations into quality deviations, contamination events and equipment failures
Build and maintain a full technical drawing and P&ID library for drying systems
Identify and deliver opportunities for automation, digitalisation and advanced process control
Develop and manage critical spares strategies for drying assets
Lead or support capital projects including scope development, business cases and commissioning
Work with OEMs, suppliers and contractors to optimise equipment performance
What we're looking for:
Degree-qualified in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or similar (or equivalent experience)
Strong experience working with spray drying and evaporation processes (food, dairy, powders or similar)
Proven background in process optimisation, performance improvement and problem-solving
Working knowledge of OEE, CI tools (DMAIC, 5 Whys, A3, Fishbone)
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Strong stakeholder engagement skills across Engineering, Operations and Quality
Confident working as a technical authority and challenging where required
Experience in food manufacturing or a regulated environment is highly desirable
What we offer:
A technically impactful role with genuine ownership and visibility
Opportunity to work on complex, high-value spray drying assets
Investment in engineering capability, capital projects and automation
A collaborative site culture with strong CI and engineering focus
Competitive salary and benefits package
Clear development and progression opportunities within Müller Engineering
4 x life assurance
10% annual bonus - based on company targets
Why Müller?
Müller UK & Ireland is one of the UK's leading food manufacturers, operating across multiple dairies and processing sites. We invest heavily in engineering capability, innovation and continuous improvement, giving our engineers the opportunity to make a real difference at site and group level. At Müller, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage people to apply even if they don't meet every requirement listed. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know - we're happy to support you. #hiring
You can find out more about Müller and what it's like to work for us by clicking here
Careers at Müller UK & Ireland