Development Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Development Engineer jobs in Tennessee are actively hiring, with strong demand concentrated in automotive manufacturing, defense systems, and advanced materials production at every level from entry-level associate to senior principal engineer. Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga anchor the bulk of openings, where established employers like Volkswagen, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Eastman Chemical have maintained long-running engineering workforces. Process improvement, product validation, and manufacturing systems are the most consistently requested specializations across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Development Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 39+ Development Engineer jobs
This position is responsible for leading the developing and deploying projects for the Petfood SBU focused on product formats across both Cat and Dog products. Performs engineering assignments as part of a work team involved in the planning, organizing, and developing new-technology and innovation as it relates to the Pet SBU. Requires ability to use and apply extensive knowledge of many engineering disciplines to execute major projects aligned with the overall SBU strategy. Significant collaboration is expected with all scientists and engineers in the Product and Packaging areas, Pilot Plant management, Quality Services and Engineering. Provide technical leadership to both projects and junior associates.
What are we looking for?
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Food, Mechanical Engineering, science related technical field or equivalent
- 6 years in RD or Engineering development
- Proven creative, value-added, results producer
- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
- Master’s/PH.D. in Chemical, Food or Mechanical Engineering.
- Six Sigma Training
- Multi-site working experience
- Develop and manage both minor and major capital projects to install factory scale-able equipment into the pilot plant and assessment of pilot plant scalability.
- Lead test plan development, experimental setup, test execution and data analysis to quantify key process and packaging machine parameters and fundamental mechanisms at both pilot and factory scale.
- Develop and deploy scalable process specifications collaboratively developed with Product Development and Supply Engineering to achieve exceptional product attribute targets and ensure superior product quality and food safety.
- Identify and evaluate innovative processing options based on product attribute requirements including evaluation based on technical and economic feasibility.
- Provide technical support to product development, QS and Supply on new or existing processes.
- Build and maintain networks within the Technology, Product Implementation, Packaging, Engineering, QS and Platform Technology teams.
- Lead translation of technology ideas into visual, physical models and working prototypes.
- Provide scalable technology platforms within the business strategy.
- Delivery of IP for technical insulation of new technology.
- Proficient with Lean Thinking principles and Value Added Engineering.
- Work as part of the engineering team to assist in the management of scale-up risk and introduction of technology into supply chain.
- Minor Project and Budget responsibilities are required with potential contractor and technician management responsibility.
- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
- Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
This position is responsible for leading the developing and deploying projects for the Petfood SBU focused on product formats across both Cat and Dog products. Performs engineering assignments as part of a work team involved in the planning, organizing, and developing new-technology and innovation as it relates to the Pet SBU. Requires ability to use and apply extensive knowledge of many engineering disciplines to execute major projects aligned with the overall SBU strategy. Significant collaboration is expected with all scientists and engineers in the Product and Packaging areas, Pilot Plant management, Quality Services and Engineering. Provide technical leadership to both projects and junior associates.
What are we looking for?
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Food, Mechanical Engineering, science related technical field or equivalent
- 6 years in RD or Engineering development
- Proven creative, value-added, results producer
- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
- Master’s/PH.D. in Chemical, Food or Mechanical Engineering.
- Six Sigma Training
- Multi-site working experience
- Develop and manage both minor and major capital projects to install factory scale-able equipment into the pilot plant and assessment of pilot plant scalability.
- Lead test plan development, experimental setup, test execution and data analysis to quantify key process and packaging machine parameters and fundamental mechanisms at both pilot and factory scale.
- Develop and deploy scalable process specifications collaboratively developed with Product Development and Supply Engineering to achieve exceptional product attribute targets and ensure superior product quality and food safety.
- Identify and evaluate innovative processing options based on product attribute requirements including evaluation based on technical and economic feasibility.
- Provide technical support to product development, QS and Supply on new or existing processes.
- Build and maintain networks within the Technology, Product Implementation, Packaging, Engineering, QS and Platform Technology teams.
- Lead translation of technology ideas into visual, physical models and working prototypes.
- Provide scalable technology platforms within the business strategy.
- Delivery of IP for technical insulation of new technology.
- Proficient with Lean Thinking principles and Value Added Engineering.
- Work as part of the engineering team to assist in the management of scale-up risk and introduction of technology into supply chain.
- Minor Project and Budget responsibilities are required with potential contractor and technician management responsibility.
- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
- Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
See All 39 Development Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer JobsDevelopment Engineer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
- Retail
- Insurance
- Automotive
- Technology & Software
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners preferred for senior roles
- Hands-on experience with product development lifecycle from concept through production validation
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD for design and documentation
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, or DFMEA methodologies
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills working with quality, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
Development Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development engineer in Tennessee?
Most development engineer roles in Tennessee require a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline such as mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Senior and consulting roles often expect a Professional Engineer license, which is issued by the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners and requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Entry-level candidates typically start as engineering associates or test engineers before advancing.
Which companies hire development engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring development engineers in Tennessee right now include Amazon, Thomas & Hutton, and Olin Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's mix of automotive assembly plants, defense contractors, and specialty chemical manufacturers creates consistent year-round demand for development engineers with both product and process backgrounds.
Which Tennessee cities have the most development engineer jobs?
Nashville, Oak Ridge, and Charleston account for the largest share of development engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville draws roles from healthcare technology and advanced manufacturing firms headquartered in the metro, Knoxville benefits from proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee research corridor, and Chattanooga's automotive cluster anchored by Volkswagen and its supplier base drives steady engineering hiring.
Are there remote development engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're uncommon. Development engineering is heavily tied to physical prototypes, test equipment, and production floors, so most roles require on-site presence. About 27% of development engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in software-adjacent functions such as systems requirements documentation, simulation modeling, or program management rather than hands-on validation work.
How can I get hired as a development engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to engineering associate or junior engineer rotational programs that large Tennessee employers run for recent graduates. Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, Denso Manufacturing in Maryville, and Tennessee Valley Authority all offer structured new-graduate programs that rotate candidates through development and process engineering functions. Candidates without a degree can target engineering technician roles at contract manufacturers or automotive suppliers in the Chattanooga or Nashville corridors, where an EIT certification from the Tennessee State Board strengthens an application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to development engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to development engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 39 Development Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer Jobs