From Mechanical Design to Project Engineer Building Food Safety Equipment with Mohammad Kathawala, Senior Project Engineer at Agri-Neo | That’s a Food Job!#118

About Mohammad Kathawala

Mohammad Kathawala, a senior project engineer at Agri-Neo, explains what it takes to work in food safety engineering. He describes how project engineers translate technology into systems that work in real food processing environments, often across global operations. Mohammad shares how his engineering background led him into the food industry, what his role looks like day to day, and why communication and continuous improvement matter as much as technical skill. The conversation also covers how food safety technology is changing and what students and early-career engineers should know before entering the field.

Things mentioned in this episode:

This week’s episode is sponsored by:

CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario’s multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development.

CareersNOW! – What can you do with an Engineering Degree?

Check out the podcast below!

Timestamps

(00:00) Introduction to Food Safety Engineering
(03:02) What a Project Engineer Does in Food Safety
(06:09) Agri-Neo’s Technology and Food Quality Focus
(09:08) Understanding Client Needs and Equipment
(11:50) Global Operations and Cultural Differences
(15:05) Measuring Success in Engineering Projects
(18:10) Continuous Improvement and Client Relationships
(20:49) Skills Aspiring Engineers Should Build
(23:50) Career Path and Industry Evolution
(26:58) The Future of Food Safety Technology
(30:09) Advice for Future Engineers