Career opportunities
The Master of Science in Food Engineering is designed in close collaboration with industry and offers students numerous opportunities for direct interaction with companies in the agri-food sector. During the programme, students take part in:
- seminars and guest lectures delivered by industry professionals within courses;
- technical visits to production plants;
- projects in collaboration with companies, particularly within the Trends in Food Industry Lab course;
- curricular and extracurricular internships in companies and research centres;
- Master’s theses developed in collaboration with companies or international institutions.
This continuous interaction with industry enables students to engage with real-world industrial challenges, develop practical skills, and build a professional network already during their academic path.
Graduates of the MSc in Food Engineering acquire a multidisciplinary background combining engineering, technological, and managerial competences applied to the agri-food supply chain. This preparation enables them to address and solve the technological challenges of the modern food industry, operating in complex and international production environments.
Our graduates typically find jobs in:
- food industry companies, in the areas of production, processing, packaging, and distribution of food and beverages;
- engineering and consulting firms involved in the design and implementation of processes and plants for the food industry;
- research centers and industrial laboratories;
- technical departments of public administration and consulting firms in the agri-food sector.
Within these contexts, Food Engineers may perform a variety of roles, including:
- development of innovative food processes and products;
- design and optimisation of production plants and technologies;
- management of production processes and supply chains;
- quality and food safety management;
- research and development (R&D) activities.
The Career Service as a contact point with companies
During their studies and in the transition to the job market, students can benefit from the services offered by the Career Service.
Key initiatives aimed at fostering direct interaction between students, graduates, and companies include:
- meetings with companies and industry professionals to explore career paths and opportunities;
- job offers and professional opportunities targeted at Politecnico graduates;
- career guidance tools, including video courses for CV preparation and interview training.
Employment data
Food Engineering graduates show a high employability rate and a strong alignment between their academic background and professional activities. Since 2019, the programme has graduated more than 250 students, many of whom have found employment in the agri-food sector and related industrial fields.
The collected data also highlight a very positive evaluation of the skills developed during the programme, particularly in terms of:
- technical competences applied to the food industry;
- problem-solving abilities;
- integration of engineering and managerial skills.
All employment data for Politecnico di Milano graduates, collected and published by the University Evaluation Unit, are available at the following link: Employment data.
Alumni
AlumniPolimi is the official community of Politecnico di Milano, dedicated to graduates, Master alumni, and PhD holders. Joining the Alumni network allows graduates to:
- maintain an active connection with the University;
- connect with professionals and researchers within an international community;
- participate in events and initiatives dedicated to Alumni;
- access networking and professional collaboration opportunities.
The Alumni portal is available at: AlumniPolimi. Through the “Search Alumni” section, it is possible to identify Politecnico graduates by Study Programme and professional field.
Food Engineering Alumni
During events dedicated to the programme, such as the Food Engineering Day, graduates share their professional experiences and career paths after graduation. These moments provide valuable opportunities for students to gain direct insight into career prospects and professional trajectories.
PhD
The MSc in Food Engineering provides access to PhD programmes at Politecnico di Milano and other international universities. PhD programmes allow students to deepen advanced and innovative topics in Food Engineering, including:
- food production processes and technologies;
- sustainability of agri-food systems;
- microbiology and food safety;
- data analysis and digitalisation of industrial processes;
- design of food processing plants and supply chains.
Many PhD projects originate from experimental Master’s theses, often developed in collaboration with companies. Further information on PhD programmes at Politecnico di Milano is available on the Doctoral School website.