Engineering a Sustainable Future: The Impact of Mechanical Engineers in the Alternative Protein Industry

The Alternative Protein sector faces numerous technical challenges and vast potential for impactful engineering solutions. Mechanical engineers can contribute significantly in areas like designing new protein extraction equipment, developing efficient bioreactors, and repurposing existing production facilities to suit the needs of Alternative Protein production better. Read on to learn more about the job opportunities for mechanical engineers in the sector.

Engineering a Sustainable Future: The Impact of Mechanical Engineers in the Alternative Protein Industry

What Is the Best Business for Mechanical Engineers?

With the amount of greenhouse gas emissions coming from the food industry, the Alternative Protein sector is set to play a central role in the 21st-century green economy, providing a sustainable way to produce and consume protein. The shift towards plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation technologies is inevitable, but the success of this transformation depends significantly on the availability of specialized scientific and engineering talent.

Despite economic uncertainties and market downturns, the long-term outlook for the Alternative Protein sector remains promising. A 2023 Global Innovation Needs Assessment projects the creation of up to 83 million jobs in this field by 2050. However, achieving this will require substantial investments in research and development, infrastructure, and training programs. Currently, the industry counts nearly 2,000 companies worldwide, involved across various stages of the value chain, and the number is growing rapidly.

Which Country Is Best for Mechanical Engineering Jobs?

Mechanical engineering offers significant opportunities for those looking for work in different regions of the world. Here is a breakdown of the top 10 highest-paying countries for mechanical engineers in 2024, the average cost of living in the country as well as the entry-level, average and experienced-level salaries:

  1. USA: Average salary $97,500, cost of living $2,433/month. Entry-level salary $75,000-$85,000, experienced salary $95,000-$135,000.

  2. Germany: Average salary €65,000, cost of living $1,581/month. Entry-level salary €45,000-€50,000, experienced salary €70,000-€100,000.

  3. Canada: Average salary CA$120,350, cost of living $2,042/month. Entry-level salary CA$75,000, experienced salary CA$120,709.

  4. Switzerland: Average salary CHF 95,000, cost of living $2,896/month. Entry-level salary CHF 80,000-CHF 85,000, experienced salary CHF 95,000-CHF 150,000.

  5. New Zealand: Average salary NZ$80,000, cost of living $1,950/month. Entry-level salary NZ$60,000-NZ$65,000, experienced salary NZ$90,000-NZ$120,000.

  6. UK: Average salary £37,000, cost of living $2,183/month. Entry-level salary £30,000-£35,000, experienced salary £40,000-£55,000.

  7. Norway: Average salary NOK 615,683, cost of living $1,924/month. Entry-level salary NOK 600,000-NOK 700,000, experienced salary up to NOK 1 million.

  8. Singapore: Average salary S$50,100, cost of living $3,000/month. Entry-level salary S$35,000-S$45,000, experienced salary S$60,000-S$70,000.

  9. Ireland: Average salary €55,000, cost of living $2,438/month. Entry-level salary €40,000-€45,000, experienced salary up to €75,000.

  10. Japan: Average salary ¥3,180,000, cost of living $1,097/month. Entry-level salary ¥2,000,000-¥3,000,000, experienced salary up to ¥7,500,000.

What Is the Role of Mechanical Engineer in the Food Industry?

The Alternative Protein industry offers mechanical engineers a unique opportunity to engage in high-impact work that creates revolutionary new products that could solve some of the biggest global challenges. Whether in plant-based products, cultured meat, or fermentation-derived products, the skills and innovations contributed by engineers are paving the way for a sustainable food future.

Their work spans various areas, including the development of new technologies, optimization of production methods, and collaboration on interdisciplinary projects – here are just some of the solutions that you can work on as a mechanical engineer in Alt Proteins:

  • Innovative Technology Development. Mechanical engineers are at the forefront of technological innovation in the Alternative Protein sector. They are responsible for designing and building small-scale prototypes and custom equipment necessary for the production of Alternative Proteins. This includes developing new extraction technologies, bioreactors for cultured meat, and advanced manufacturing systems for plant-based and fermentation-derived products.

  • Process Optimization. Mechanical engineers can also work to optimize the production processes, ensuring that they are efficient, scalable, and sustainable. This involves improving the design of bioreactors, enhancing protein extraction methods, and streamlining the overall production workflow to reduce costs and increase productivity. Mechanical engineers also play a vital role in project management, overseeing the layout and construction of production facilities.

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration. The Alternative Protein industry is highly interdisciplinary, requiring mechanical engineers to collaborate with food scientists, biotechnologists, and other specialists. This collaboration helps in enhancing the texture, taste, and nutritional profile of Alternative Protein products. Engineers apply their skills in process development, product design, and automation to create innovative food solutions.

  • Real-World Application and Experimentation. Mechanical engineers in this field gain practical experience through hands-on projects and real-world experimentation. This includes participating in product development, working on industry-academic collaborations, and engaging in cooperative education programs.

How to Become an Alt Protein Engineer?

A survey of Alternative Protein startups by The Good Food Institute revealed acute shortages in technical talent, with 52% of companies struggling to hire skilled workers. The survey, which included responses from startups across multiple continents, identified a particular scarcity in scientific and engineering roles essential for research and development. Additionally, the need for manufacturing, quality assurance, and control specialists was highlighted.

As the industry matures, the demand is expected to shift from research-focused positions to roles supporting commercial-scale production, such as manufacturing operators and technicians.

  • Cross-Platform Skills in High Demand. Startups have expressed a critical need for "general" or "cross-platform" skills, which encompass disciplines like food science, meat science, process development, manufacturing, product development, and food safety. These skills are vital across all Alternative Protein technologies and are expected to remain in high demand in the foreseeable future.

  • Specialized Skills for Specific Platforms. Plant-based companies are seeking experts in protein extrusion and food texture development. Cultivated meat companies need bioreactor operators, scaffold designers, cell culture media developers, and tissue engineering experts. Fermentation-based companies require downstream process engineers and experts in microbial strain development. These specialized skills can help advance the industry's capabilities and move from laboratory or demo scales to full commercial production.

  • Overcoming Bottlenecks. The survey also shed light on the primary challenges in filling these roles, which include a lack of awareness about the sector, insufficient training, and geographical mismatches between where jobs are located and where potential employees reside. These factors combine to create significant bottlenecks that impede the growth of the workforce needed to support the industry’s expansion.

  • Collaborative Efforts to Bridge Gaps. There is a strong interest among startups to collaborate with universities and research institutions to close these gaps. Such partnerships could include joint research projects, internship programs, guest lectures, and participation in career fairs. These initiatives can help prepare the next generation of workers by aligning educational programs with the specific needs of the Alternative Protein sector.

Be Part of the Change

As a mechanical engineer, you have the unique opportunity to drive the future of sustainable food through the Alternative Protein sector. Do you also want to be part of this transformative sector? Whether you're an experienced professional looking for a career change or a recent graduate – at Tälist, we connect you with opportunities that match your skills and passions in the sustainable food industry. Sign up now and get matched with job opportunities that create the future of food!

Want to know what concrete jobs for mechanical engineers in Alt. Proteins look like? Take a look at just some of the numerous jobs for mechanical engineering professionals on our job board:


Image credit: New Age Meats.

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How Alternative Proteins Promote Environmental Sustainability

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GFI State of the Industry Reports 2023: A Roadmap for Alt. Protein Job Seekers