Michael Chen

Michael Chen is a process engineer who currently works at Compound Foods. Michael has previously worked as a senior process engineer at Beyond Meat and a process technologist intern at E. & J. Gallo Winery.

Michael has a degree in food science from the University of California, Davis. Michael has always been interested in food and how it is made, which is what led him to their career in process engineering.

At Compound Foods, Michael works on new and renovated product development and introduction programs to assure that the product and its production-intent processes meet program objectives, manufacturability, timelines, and cost targets. Michael also effectively executes assigned process engineering work in the development of product-by-process, the scale-up and commissioning of manufacturing processes and equipment, and the final verification of their capabilities and readiness necessary to achieve successful product launches and high-volume production.

Before working at Compound Foods, Michael was a senior process engineer at Beyond Meat. There, they worked collaboratively between Beyond Meat’s Innovation, Commercialization, and Operations teams on new and renovated product development and introduction programs. Michael was also responsible for organizing and conducting process engineering development, process and equipment trials, process design, specification, commissioning, and verification of food manufacturing processes and equipment for production-intent capability, scale, and readiness.

Prior to their work at Beyond Meat, Michael was a process technologist intern at E. & J. Gallo Winery. There they worked on various projects involving the production of wine.

Michael Chen is a highly skilled and experienced process engineer who has a passion for food and how it is made. Michael has a proven track record of successfully executing assigned projects and meeting deadlines. With their experience and knowledge, they are an asset to any company.

Michael Chen has a master's degree in food science from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from UC San Diego. Michael also has certifications from Mars in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ICGB) and from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying in Engineer in Training for Chemical Engineering in California.

They work with Cecylia Szewczyk - Director, Fermentation, Matthew Hettlinger - Fermentation Scientist, and Viji Ganesh - Senior Scientist. Michael Chen reports to Maricel Saenz, Founder & CEO.