Pilot Plant Technician

Research & Innovation

At Danone’s Global R&I Center in Utrecht, we are looking for a Pilot Plant Technician who thrives in a practical, dynamic environment and enjoys executing pilot-scale trials together with Product Developers and Process Technologists.

About the role

As a Pilot Plant Technician, you’ll be hands-on in our Pilot Plant, executing powder- and liquid focused trials from start to finish —from preparing the feed, running the spray dryer up to dry blending and packing the final pilot samples. You’ll work side-by-side with Product Developers and Process Technologists to translate trial requests into pilot trials, while keeping the pilot plant and equipment clean and maintained.

Your key responsibilities

• Execute pilot trials together with Product & Process Developers
• Operate, set up and shut down pilot equipment used for liquid processing and powder production (e.g., dissolving, heat treatment, evaporation, spray drying and powder blending)
• Ensure a safe, clean and food-safe workplace by following hygiene and food safety requirements (ISO 22000).
• Take ownership of specific equipment and carry out routine checks.

About you

You’re a hands-on technician who enjoys being on the floor and making trials happen. You’re energized by processing small scale specialized nutrition batches, and take pride in a safe, high quality execution and leaving the pilot area ready for the next run. You work accurately, collaborate easily with technologists and developers, and you’re comfortable following structured food safety ways of working (ISO 22000)

Your background

• MBO or HBO in Food & Process Technology or similar, or VAPRO C with a food background.
• Experience in food processing is a plus.
• Familiarity with quality systems (e.g., ISO 22000, ISO 9001) is an advantage.
• Technical affinity and interest in processing equipment.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• You are comfortable speaking and writing in in English; Dutch is a plus.

About Danone

At Danone we are committed to our mission bringing health, through food to as many people as possible. We are working together to make sure that our brands, like Nutricia and Nutrilon, create real benefits for people, communities and the planet. You will be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world. Being B Corp means to be part of a select movement of companies verified to be meeting the highest standards of social and environmental criteria and using business as a force for good.

Our state-of-the-art research and innovation center builds bridges between food and science and is global in reach, founded on over 125 years of experience in life & food science, technology and user experience and is at the forefront of pioneering advances in specialized nutrition.

We offer

All Danoners receive a complete package of benefits. This includes a competitive salary and yearly bonus, a premium free pension, 30 days of annual leave (with the opportunity to purchase more) and you will receive a monthly health care allowance. In addition, you can get discount on your gym membership, and we offer initiatives focused on nutrition, physical, and mental health. We provide continuous learning opportunities through workshops, online courses and training sessions.