Plant Engineer

KAAPA Ethanol Commodities; Aurora (NE); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401k with employer contributions

Basic life and short-term disability

Sick and vacation time

8 paid holidays

Profit sharing

Job summary

KAAPA Ethanol Commodities seeks a Plant Engineer for our Aurora, NE facility to drive continuous improvement, optimize production, quality and efficiency. You will work with the Engineering Manager to manage capital projects from concept to completion, ensure safe operations, and maintain regulatory compliance.

You will analyze day-to-day operations, recommend process improvements, mentor maintenance teams, and help develop the operating budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, or process engineering preferred.
• 5+ years' experience in the operations of a dry-mill ethanol plant preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; learn Llumin.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to maximize plant production, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Monitor and analyze operations to identify performance gaps and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Lead capital and operational projects from concept through completion, on time and within budget.
• Support plant leadership in achieving safety, environmental, production, and efficiency objectives.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA guidelines and environmental regulations.
• Evaluate process performance and implement improvements, new technologies, and optimizations.
• Provide technical leadership to operations and maintenance teams to resolve issues.
• Assist in developing and managing annual operating and capital budgets.
• Maintain clear communication with plant leadership on project status and challenges.
• Promote accountability and continuous improvement across plant functions.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical/mechanical/process engineering

Tools

Llumin

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you a meticulous and dependable team player with a passion for continuous plant improvement? We invite you to join our KAAPA team as a Plant Engineer at our Aurora location.

Job Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Engineering Manager and KAAPA resources to drive continuous improvement initiatives that maximize plant production, quality, efficiency, and profitability.


• Monitor and analyze day‑to‑day operations of the dry‑mill ethanol facility to identify performance gaps, improvement opportunities, and cost‑reduction strategies.


• Assist in leading, managing, and executing capital and operational projects from concept through completion, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.


• Support plant leadership in achieving safety, environmental, production, and efficiency objectives while aligning with company policies, goals, and strategic initiatives.


• Ensure compliance with OSHA guidelines, environmental regulations, and all applicable city, county, state, and federal requirements related to process operations.


• Evaluate process performance, chemical usage, and operating practices; recommend and implement improvements, new technologies, and process optimizations.


• Provide technical expertise and leadership to operations and maintenance teams to resolve process issues and improve plant reliability.


• Assist in developing and managing the annual operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, cost tracking, and justification of improvement projects.


• Maintain clear communication with plant leadership regarding project status, operational challenges, safety concerns, and improvement progress.


• Promote a culture of accountability, attention to detail, and continuous improvement across all plant functions.

Working Hours:

• Monday- Friday 8am-4:30pm with additional hours required during harvest and as required throughout the year

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, or process engineering preferred


• Valid driver’s license


• 5+ years' experience in the operations of a dry‑mill ethanol plant preferred


• Strong knowledge of the ethanol production process and technology preferred


• Able to communicate information and state problems or challenges to be resolved


• Able to adapt with minimal or advance notice to changes


• Able to speak, listen, read, and communicate clearly


• Proficient with Microsoft Office


• Able and willing to learn new software applications


• Learn and effectively use Llumin


• Health, dental, and vision insurance


• 401k with employer contributions


• Basic life and short-term disability insurance provided


• Sick and vacation time along with 8 paid holidays


• Profit Sharing

Join us and become a valued member of our team, contributing to the smooth operation and success of our company.