Plant Engineer

Guardian Energy; Hankinson (ND); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy

HSA contributions

Disability and life insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Employee Assistance Program

Paid holidays and strong bonus program

Job summary

Guardian Energy Hankinson is seeking a Plant Engineer to drive capital projects and continuous improvement, partnering with the Production Manager to boost efficiency, production, and cost control. You will coordinate Shift Leads and operators to uphold safe, SOP-guided operations and maintain the KPI system.

Ideal candidates have a chemical engineering background with 2+ years in a dry-mill ethanol setting, familiarity with ASPEN/ChemCad, and strong MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• 2+ years of experience in dry-mill ethanol plant operations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of chemical, food, or fuel production processes.
• Experience with data analysis and KPI monitoring.
• Familiarity with process modeling tools such as ASPEN or ChemCad.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify, initiate, and execute capital and continuous improvement projects to improve efficiency, production, or reduce operating costs.
• Assist the Production Manager in the management of plant operations.
• Coordinate Shift Leads and operators to maintain consistent operations per SOPs.
• Manage, maintain, and improve the plant's KPI monitoring system.
• Maintain accurate records of key production variables (volume, yield, uptime, utilities).
• Review operational data to monitor production and quality and identify improvement opportunities.
• Assist in setting objectives, plan development, and performance reviews of plant performance.
• Support development and maintenance of SOPs and communicate effectively with process operators across shifts.

Skills

Data analysis

KPI monitoring

Communication

Collaboration

Process knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

ASPEN

ChemCad

Microsoft Office

Job description

Guardian Energy Hankinson is a high-performing dry-mill ethanol plant and one of the largest ethanol production groups in the country. We grind approximately 50 million bushels of locally grown corn each year and produce roughly 150 million gallons of ethanol plus valuable co-products (DDGS and corn oil). We are looking for a Plant Engineer who will drive capital and continuous improvement projects that increase the profitability and reliability of the facility.

About the Role

As Plant Engineer, you will partner with the Production Manager to support day-to-day operations while identifying and executing projects that improve efficiency, increase production, and reduce operating costs. You will also help coordinate Shift Leads and operators to maintain consistent, safe operations in accordance with established SOPs.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, initiate, and execute capital and continuous improvement projects that improve efficiency, increase production, and/or reduce operating costs
• Assist the Production Manager in the management of plant operations
• Coordinate Shift Leads and shift operators to maintain consistent operations per established SOPs
• Manage, maintain, and improve the plant's KPI monitoring system
• Maintain accurate records of key production variables (volume, yield, uptime, utilities, etc.)
• Review operational data to monitor production and quality and identify improvement opportunities
• Assist in setting objectives, plan development, and performance review of plant performance
• Support development and maintenance of SOPs and communicate effectively with process operators across shifts

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (required)
• 2+ years of experience in dry-mill ethanol plant operations (preferred)
• Strong knowledge of chemical, food, or fuel production processes
• Experience with data analysis and KPI monitoring
• Familiarity with process modeling tools such as ASPEN or ChemCad
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy benefits
• HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid holidays and strong bonus program