Operations Engineer

Plantible Foods, Inc.; Eldorado (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

401k

Relocation assistance

Outdoor land access

Job summary

Plantible Foods in Eldorado, TX is seeking an on-site Operations Engineer to evolve R&D into commercial operations. You will work on the plant floor, operating downstream processing equipment, and help build the systems and tools for scale.

This early-career role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, data-driven improvements, and collaboration with operations, engineering, and the commercialization team to ensure smooth pilot-to-production transitions.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Process, Chemical, Mechanical, or Bioprocess Engineering.
• 0-3 years of hands-on experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical or ingredient manufacturing; new grads welcome.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organization, and data-analysis skills; bridging R&D and plant operations.
• A proactive, “get-it-done” attitude with on-site work at Ranchito as projects demand.
• Understanding of sanitary design, food safety (HACCP, FSMA), and equipment standards (USDA, FDA).
• A desire to contribute and make a sustainable impact!

Responsibilities

• Operate downstream processing equipment daily to support pilot plant and production activities, especially during onboarding ramp.
• Troubleshoot deviations in production and develop durable solutions with engineering and operations teams.
• Support commercialization with product inventory management and customer-shipment readiness.
• Identify and support implementation of process improvements with operations, commercialization, maintenance and controls teams.
• Translate R&D findings into robust, scalable manufacturing processes with SOPs and documentation.
• Transition trial-scale testing to the 24x7 operations team as the business scales.
• Create a deviation-aware operating system with clear remediation steps.
• Promote a data-driven, continuous improvement mindset across the plant.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Organization

Data analysis

0-3 years experience

Sanitary design & food safety

Education

Bioprocess/Process Engineering degree

Job description

About this position

Kindly be advised that we are handling the recruitment for this position internally and are not partnering with external recruiters.

We are a Biology Company

Plantible, backed by Astanor Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, Piva Capital, Kellogg’s, and Vectr Ventures, is a vertically integrated biology company that is unlocking the power in plants in service of people & planet. Our mission is to create solutions that empower customers to make sustainable and regenerative choices without compromising on quality. We are beginning with the food industry. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and continued success: https://www.plantiblefoods.com/

How you will contribute:

We are seeking an Operations Engineer who combines analytical rigor with hands‑on curiosity - someone who loves data as much as they love getting their boots dirty.

Based on‑site at our production facility in Eldorado, TX, this hands‑on, early‑career engineering role will work directly on the plant floor to evolve R&D to commercial operations—while building the systems, work aids, and improvement roadmap needed for future automation and scale‑up.

This role offers firsthand exposure to taking the byproduct of our innovative protein extraction process and creating a nutritious food product.

What you will be working on:

Hands‑On Responsibilities

• Operate downstream processing equipment on a daily basis to support pilot plant and production activities, especially during initial onboarding ramp.
• Troubleshoot real‑world deviations in production, and work with the engineering and operations teams to develop durable solutions.
• Support commercialization team with product inventory management and customer‑shipment readiness.

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, design and support implementation and validation of process improvements in collaboration with operations, commercialization, maintenance and controls teams.
• Translate R&D findings into robust, scalable manufacturing processes through operator‑usable tools, like SOPs and documentation.
• Be prepared to transition trial‑scale testing to the 24x7 operations team as the business needs scale.
• Create a deviation‑aware operating system: clear instructions for what to do when the process does not run perfectly.
• Contribute to and promote a data‑driven, continuous improvement mindset across the plant.

What you bring to Plantible:

• B.S. or M.S. in Process, Chemical, Mechanical, or Bioprocess Engineering (or related discipline).
• 0-3 years of hands‑on experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical or ingredient manufacturing; new grads welcome.
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, organization, and data‑analysis skills; comfortable bridging R&D and plant operations.
• A proactive, “get‑it‑done” attitude with the flexibility to work on‑site at Ranchito as projects demand.
• Understanding of sanitary design, food safety (HACCP, FSMA), and equipment standards (USDA, FDA).
• A desire to contribute and make a sustainable impact!

Choose Plantible Foods

Joining Plantible means contributing to a sustainable future for all. We are a venture backed startup that is both spreading happiness amongst our employees and to current and future generations. We believe diversity creates uniqueness. Our team is composed of highly talented people with different interests and hobbies, which makes for a rich working environment.

At Plantible we are continually working on our offerings to foster the best team. Check it out!

• Competitive health and wellness benefits
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Discretionary Unlimited PTO Program
• Paid Holidays
• 401k Program
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Working in a rapidly growing, flexible and entrepreneurial environment
• Team building and company‑wide events
• Financial support with your relocation, if necessary, ensuring a smooth transition
• And of course, lots of beautiful land for outdoor activities!

Plantible Foods is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, liability for military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. Plantible Foods reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.

If you feel your skill set does not meet all listed qualifications for the role, we still encourage you to apply. As we continue to grow our company, we are seeking a range of candidates and would gladly consider you for other current or upcoming roles that may be a fit!

Plantible Foods is aware of fraudulent job offers and individuals impersonating our recruiters or employees.

Please note:

• We will never ask candidates to pay fees for employment, training, equipment, or background checks.
• We will never request sensitive personal or financial information during the early stages of the hiring process.
• All official Plantible Foods communications come only from email addresses ending in @plantiblefoods.com .
• Our only official company website is www.plantiblefoods.com , and our jobs are posted on our Careers page and our official LinkedIn page .

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Plantible Foods, do not respond. Please report it to [e-mail] .

The pay range for this role is:
50,000 - 60,000 USD per year (Ranchito)

Salary Information