Fermentation Process Engineer - Throughput & Improvement

Evonik; Blair (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Evonik’s Blair, Nebraska facility seeks a Process Development Engineer to drive continuous improvement and optimize fermentation and downstream operations. You will lead plant trials, analyze performance, and partner across R&D, Technology, Production, and Quality to lift throughput and reliability.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Biotechnology or Chemical Engineering and 3+ years in process engineering, with strong communication and leadership skills to mentor teams and manage capital

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years in process engineering or production management or process engineering of industrial chemical processes preferred.
• Experience with complex fermentation processes and process data analysis.
• Knowledge of processing technologies such as drying, materials handling, and chemical processes.
• Demonstrated experience improving plant availability, reliability, efficiency, and process performance.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement initiatives, troubleshooting processes, and supporting or managing capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase plant throughput, yield, efficiency, and reliability while reducing process variability and production costs.
• Analyze process performance using statistical process control, data historian tools, mass and energy balances, and other engineering methods.
• Initiate and manage pilot- and full-scale plant trials and support the implementation of process improvements into production.
• Lead process optimization, de-bottlenecking, and efficiency improvement projects involving processes, equipment, and product quality.
• Support and execute capital projects focused on process efficiency and plant performance.
• Facilitate root cause analyses to identify and resolve operational and process issues.

Skills

Strong communication

Problem-solving

Project management

Technical leadership

Teamwork

Education

Bachelors in Biotechnology/Chemical Engineering

Job description

Evonik’s Blair, Nebraska facility seeks a Process Development Engineer to drive continuous improvement and optimize fermentation and downstream operations. You will lead plant trials, analyze performance, and partner across R&D, Technology, Production, and Quality to lift throughput and reliability.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Biotechnology or Chemical Engineering and 3+ years in process engineering, with strong communication and leadership skills to mentor teams and manage capital