Food & Beverage E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Food & beverage E-3 visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia draw on the state's concentrated hospitality corridor from Arlington and Alexandria through Richmond, where hotel groups, restaurant chains, and food-science companies regularly hire Australian professionals in specialty roles. Corporate food developers, hospitality managers, and culinary specialists with relevant degrees are among the profiles that qualify.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Kerry
Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
About the role
As a Senior Project Engineer, you’ll own high-impact capital projects from idea to start-up ($50K–$5MM) across Kerry’s Stocks & Broths manufacturing network in Harrisonburg, VA. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role where you’ll modernize process and packing capabilities—spanning liquids processing, aseptic systems, automation, utilities, and safety improvements—and help turn great concepts into reliable, day-one performance. If you’re energized by building what’s next and seeing your work come to life on the plant floor, you’ll thrive here. This is an onsite position based at our Harrisonburg, VA manufacturing site.
Key responsibilities
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Own capital projects end-to-end—from concept and scope through design, installation, commissioning, and seamless handoff to Operations.
-
Bring people together across Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, HSE, Quality, and Maintenance to define the need, align on priorities, and turn it into an executable plan.
-
Build and drive scope, budget, and schedule—balancing speed, cost, and quality while clearing roadblocks and accelerating decisions.
-
Create crisp engineering and capital-approval deliverables (charters, estimates, justifications, specifications) that set projects up for success.
-
Lead vendors, contractors, and internal experts—coordinating procurement, construction, and installation to deliver right-first-time execution.
-
Spot risk early and manage it proactively—ensuring safe execution and compliance with Kerry standards, OSHA/HSE requirements, and GMPs.
-
Keep stakeholders aligned with clear updates, smart escalation, and change management that protects schedule, cost, and outcomes.
-
Lead start-up and early equipment management to deliver stable, repeatable performance—and a confident ramp-up for the manufacturing teams.
Qualifications and skills
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B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical or Chemical) from an ABET-accredited university.
-
4+ years leading capital projects ($100K+) in a manufacturing environment—project engineering and/or project management.
-
Project management training or certification (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
-
Clear, confident communicator with strong technical writing and stakeholder management skills.
-
Manufacturing experience in food, beverages, consumer goods, chemical, or pharmaceutical environments preferred.
-
Exposure to aseptic bulk packing equipment preferred.
The typical base salary hiring range for this role is $88,100 to $144,800 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).
Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).
We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.
-
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project; familiarity with AI tools (Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar) is a plus.
-
Familiarity with CAD software preferred.
-
Technologies in use at this business-critical site include extraction, mixing, separations, clean-in-place systems, sanitary piping, valve clusters and more.
About Kerry
Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
About the role
As a Senior Project Engineer, you’ll own high-impact capital projects from idea to start-up ($50K–$5MM) across Kerry’s Stocks & Broths manufacturing network in Harrisonburg, VA. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role where you’ll modernize process and packing capabilities—spanning liquids processing, aseptic systems, automation, utilities, and safety improvements—and help turn great concepts into reliable, day-one performance. If you’re energized by building what’s next and seeing your work come to life on the plant floor, you’ll thrive here. This is an onsite position based at our Harrisonburg, VA manufacturing site.
Key responsibilities
-
Own capital projects end-to-end—from concept and scope through design, installation, commissioning, and seamless handoff to Operations.
-
Bring people together across Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, HSE, Quality, and Maintenance to define the need, align on priorities, and turn it into an executable plan.
-
Build and drive scope, budget, and schedule—balancing speed, cost, and quality while clearing roadblocks and accelerating decisions.
-
Create crisp engineering and capital-approval deliverables (charters, estimates, justifications, specifications) that set projects up for success.
-
Lead vendors, contractors, and internal experts—coordinating procurement, construction, and installation to deliver right-first-time execution.
-
Spot risk early and manage it proactively—ensuring safe execution and compliance with Kerry standards, OSHA/HSE requirements, and GMPs.
-
Keep stakeholders aligned with clear updates, smart escalation, and change management that protects schedule, cost, and outcomes.
-
Lead start-up and early equipment management to deliver stable, repeatable performance—and a confident ramp-up for the manufacturing teams.
Qualifications and skills
-
B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical or Chemical) from an ABET-accredited university.
-
4+ years leading capital projects ($100K+) in a manufacturing environment—project engineering and/or project management.
-
Project management training or certification (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
-
Clear, confident communicator with strong technical writing and stakeholder management skills.
-
Manufacturing experience in food, beverages, consumer goods, chemical, or pharmaceutical environments preferred.
-
Exposure to aseptic bulk packing equipment preferred.
The typical base salary hiring range for this role is $88,100 to $144,800 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).
Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).
We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.
-
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project; familiarity with AI tools (Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar) is a plus.
-
Familiarity with CAD software preferred.
-
Technologies in use at this business-critical site include extraction, mixing, separations, clean-in-place systems, sanitary piping, valve clusters and more.
E-3 Food & Beverage Job Roles in Virginia
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in VirginiaFood & Beverage E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food & beverage companies sponsor E-3 visas in Virginia?
Virginia's food and beverage sector includes national hospitality groups with headquarters or major operations in the state, regional restaurant chains based in Richmond and Northern Virginia, food-science and product-development firms near the D.C. metro area, and large hotel operators in Arlington and Alexandria. Companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications for specialty roles in related fields are the most reliable indicators of active E-3 sponsorship willingness. DOL's OFLC disclosure data is the authoritative source for verified filing history.
Which cities in Virginia have the most food & beverage E-3 sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia cities including Arlington, Alexandria, and Tysons Corner concentrate the highest volume of food and beverage sponsorship activity, driven by proximity to D.C. and a dense hospitality and corporate dining sector. Richmond is a secondary hub, home to a growing independent restaurant scene and several food and beverage corporate offices. Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads corridor also generate openings through resort hospitality and large hotel groups.
What types of food & beverage roles typically qualify for E-3 sponsorship?
E-3 sponsorship requires the position to meet the specialty occupation standard, meaning it must typically require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. In food and beverage, roles that commonly meet this threshold include food scientist, product development specialist, culinary director, beverage research and development manager, food safety specialist, and hospitality operations manager with a relevant degree. General cook, barista, and front-of-house service roles rarely qualify because they don't require a specific bachelor's degree.
How do I find food & beverage E-3 sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa type and industry, so you can search specifically for Virginia food and beverage roles where employers have verified E-3 filing history. This removes the guesswork of approaching companies that have never sponsored Australian nationals. Beyond Migrate Mate, reviewing DOL OFLC disclosure data for Labor Condition Applications filed under food science or hospitality SOC codes in Virginia can help you identify employers with a track record of E-3 sponsorship.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for food & beverage E-3 sponsorship?
Virginia does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal obligations, but food and beverage employers in the state must comply with Virginia's business licensing rules and any applicable food handler certifications that may affect job duties described in the LCA. Northern Virginia's tight labor market for hospitality management means some employers are more open to sponsorship for specialized roles than smaller markets. Australian applicants should confirm that their degree is in a field directly related to the specific role, as LCA specialty occupation determinations are fact-specific.
What is the prevailing wage for E-3 food & beverage jobs in Virginia?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.