Experienced Plant Engineer

Aiche Corporation; Lyons (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aiche Corporation is seeking a Plant Engineer to lead engineering support for a safe, reliable ethanol production facility. You will drive capital projects from concept through startup, coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams, and optimize plant performance across fermentation, distillation, evaporation, and utilities.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, strong project management, AutoCAD proficiency, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Strong knowledge of pumps, motors, heat exchangers, boilers, compressors, conveyors, and process control systems.
• Experience managing capital projects and budgets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering software such as AutoCAD.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day engineering support for all plant systems, including fermentation, distillation, evaporation, drying, utilities, and grain handling.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase production efficiency, reduce downtime, and lower operating costs.
• Develop and manage capital improvement projects from concept through design, budgeting, procurement, installation, and startup.
• Prepare engineering drawings, process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and technical specifications.
• Conduct root cause analysis on equipment failures and process upsets and recommend corrective actions.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyze process data to identify opportunities for optimization.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

DCS/PLC controls

Job description

Job Purpose

The Plant Engineer is responsible for providing engineering support to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the ethanol production facility. This position leads capital projects, supports maintenance and operations, improves plant performance, and ensures compliance with environmental and safety regulations. The Plant Engineer works closely with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality personnel to optimize plant systems and equipment.

Supervision/Direction

This position works independently with limited supervision. The employee will determine what needs to be done and how to do it.

The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The employee and supervisor, in consultation, develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be done. Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results.

Performs the following duties personally.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide day-to-day engineering support for all plant systems, including fermentation, distillation, evaporation, drying, utilities, and grain handling.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase production efficiency, reduce downtime, and lower operating costs.
• Develop and manage capital improvement projects from concept through design, budgeting, procurement, installation, and startup.
• Prepare engineering drawings, process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and technical specifications.
• Conduct root cause analysis on equipment failures and process upsets and recommend corrective actions.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyze process data to identify opportunities for optimization.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and preventative maintenance strategies.
• Assist with equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and contractor oversight.
• Ensure all engineering projects and modifications comply with OSHA, EPA, fire code, and company standards.
• Support Process Safety Management (PSM), Management of Change (MOC), and other regulatory programs.
• Prepare cost estimates, justifications, and return-on-investment analyses for proposed projects.
• Participate in annual shutdown planning and execution.
• Assist with environmental permitting and compliance initiatives.
• Train operations and maintenance personnel on new systems and process changes.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and project documentation.
• Provide technical guidance to maintenance and operations employees.

Required Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Strong knowledge of pumps, motors, heat exchangers, boilers, compressors, conveyors, and process control systems.
• Experience managing capital projects and budgets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering software such as AutoCAD.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of engineering experience in ethanol, biofuels, grain processing, chemical manufacturing, or a similar industrial environment.
• Experience with OSHA Process Safety Management requirements.
• Familiarity with EPA regulations and air permitting.
• Experience with distributed control systems (DCS) and PLC-based automation.
• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of ethanol production processes and supporting utilities.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong project management and cost control skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business documents, professional journals, or technical procedures.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write formal correspondence, speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical information, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to write formal correspondence, speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, and the general public.
• Communicates clearly, persuasively, and professionally in positive or negative situations; adapts communication style to fit the individual(s) and the situation; asks questions to gain understanding of situations and individual needs; listens to others without interrupting and gets clarification. Communicates with tact and diplomacy when delivering tough messages.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Critical thinking skills with the ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Ability to research and interpret a variety of information and data. Ability to see both the big picture and the details. Ability to think at a systems level.
• Ability to perform in-depth needs assessment, recognize problems, opportunities and propose solutions. Ability to ask effective questions to gather information for needs assessment. Ability to analyze situations and translate them into priorities and action plans.
• Ability to make good decisions, including exhibiting sound and accurate judgment; supporting and explaining reasoning for decisions; including the appropriate people in decision-making process; making timely decisions; and identifying when issues should be referred to appropriate leadership.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to walk, climb ladders, stairs, and work in industrial environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, dusty, and noisy conditions.
• This position is based in a manufacturing environment involving exposure to moving mechanical parts, chemicals, dust, elevated work areas, and varying temperatures.
• The Plant Engineer may be required to work extended hours during maintenance outages, project installations, and emergency situations.