Process Engineer 2, Decatur (Hiring Immediately)

The Engineer 2 sits within the Engineering Technical Track and is responsible for supporting the smooth operation of assigned plant areas or systems through troubleshooting, process optimization, and capital project or non-capital project execution. This role focuses on enhancing maximizing output and improving energy use while minimizing cost and downtime. This role takes on broader technical ownership across multiple unit operations, develops independent process improvements, and collaborates cross-functionally with engineers, operations, and technical teams. By integrating engineering expertise, process improvements , and cross-functional collaboration, this role serves as a key technical resource for plant operations.

• Process Ownership & Optimization: Take technical ownership of multiple unit operations, ensuring process efficiency, reliability, and alignment with safety and quality standards. Identify and implement improvements to optimize energy consumption, material usage, and production efficiency (e.g., enzymes, water and minimizing waste.

• Engineering Assignments & Project Management: Manage engineering assignments, including process studies, system optimizations, and capital projects. Oversee project execution, from scope development and budgeting to procurement and implementation. Implement control and narrative updates to resolve programming issues, install new equipment, and improve logic processes.

• Technical Troubleshooting and Support: Serve as a key resource for troubleshooting process upsets, assisting with start ups and shutdowns and conducting root cause analysis (RCA) to drive corrective actions and improve plant reliability.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Equipment SME’s, procurement teams, vendors, and corporate engineering to design and troubleshoot processes. Engage the engineers across sites to benchmark performance and share best practices.

• Performance Monitoring & Decision-Making: Monitor plant performance, track and communicate KPIs to both operators and plant/company leadership and recommend process adjustments based on data analysis. Develop independent solutions to address process pain points rather than relying on assigned projects.

Knowledge

• General Chemistry

• Basic mathematical and physics principals

• Site specific ( wetmilling , refining, acid production) unit operation knowledge

• Safety best practices in a manufacturing facility

• Chemical/mechanical engineering principles

• Quality/food safety knowledge

• Microsoft Office (Excel specific)

• Understanding of process flows

Skills

• Organization skills

• Time management & prioritization

• Excellent written and verbal communications

• Critical thinking

• Problem solving

• Teamwork

• Project Management

• Maintains regulatory and technical awareness

• Ability to demonstrate findings

• Ability to coordinate efforts of others

Mindsets

• Goal oriented

• Learning-orientation

• Economic consideration

• Attention to safety, quality, sustainability

• Collaborative

Required and/or Preferred Education/Certification

• BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio, Electrical Engineering or a related field from ABET accredited institution (required)

• Certification in Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement (preferred)

• Certification in Root cause analysis (5 why, fishbone, KT) (preferred)

Required and/or Preferred Work Experience

•2-3 years post graduation work experience (required)

• Previous manufacturing experience (or related field) (preferred)

• Previous capital project implementation experience (preferred)

• PID Updates/creation experience (preferred)

• Programming experience (preferred)