Plant Operator

Bluestem Biosciences, Inc.; South Sioux City (NE); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Job summary

Bluestem Biosciences, Inc. is seeking a reliable Plant Operator for our on-site production facility. You will report to the Plant Manager and be responsible for the safe, efficient daily operation of biochemical production equipment.

You will work a shift schedule to monitor equipment, run daily production, and support the transition from commissioning to full-scale commercial operation.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in biochemical or specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Experience in startup environments preferred.
• Hands-on fermentation and downstream purification experience.
• Ability to read P&IDs or PFDs.
• Strong communication and shift handover skills.
• Willingness to work on-site on a shift schedule.

Responsibilities

• Operate the plant on designated shifts for continuous safe operations.
• Monitor fermentation and purification systems to maintain yields.
• Assist with FAT/SAT and initial commissioning/startup activities.
• Follow Site Safety Protocols including LOTO and PSM.
• Execute SOPs and provide feedback for process improvements.
• Document shift data and communicate issues to the Operations Lead.

Skills

Process operation

Fermentation systems

P&IDs/PFDs reading

Safety compliance

Shift work

Communication

Job description

ABOUT US:

We use American corn and existing bioethanol infrastructure to produce critical chemicals right here at home—powering U.S. competitiveness and securing our nation’s supply chains while reinvesting in agricultural America. Bluestem Biosciences has engineered a breakthrough in American manufacturing. Our proprietary biomanufacturing process represents a new, cost-effective, and advantaged way to produce platform chemicals domestically. With the foundation of existing infrastructure, we convert abundant, renewable American corn into high-value chemicals at scale.

Job Title:

Plant Operator

Location:

On-Site (Production Facility)

Role Type:

Full-Time

Role Summary

We are seeking a reliable and safety-focused Plant Operator to join our production team. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and continuous daily operation of our biochemical production equipment.

As a core member of the operations team, you will work on a shift schedule to monitor equipment, execute daily production runs, and support the facility’s exciting transition from commissioning to full-scale commercial operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Daily Operations & Shift Work: Operate the plant daily on a designated shift schedule, ensuring continuous, safe, and efficient facility operations.
• Equipment Monitoring: Monitor and control biochemical production systems—including upstream fermentation and downstream purification equipment—to maintain optimal process yields and specifications.
• Commissioning & Startup Support: Assist with hands‑on Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and initial commissioning/startup activities for utility and process systems.
• Safety Compliance: Strictly follow and enforce all Site Safety Protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and Process Safety Management (PSM) standards.
• Procedures & SOPs: Execute production runs according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions, providing feedback to improve technical accuracy and efficiency.
• Troubleshooting & Maintenance: Identify operational bottlenecks, equipment failures, or yield deviations on the floor, and assist with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to rectify issues quickly.
• Shift Reporting: Document and communicate shift data, technical challenges, and equipment status clearly to the Operations Lead.

Requirements

• Experience Level: 2+ years of experience in biochemical or specialty chemical manufacturing. Experience working within a brownfield or greenfield startup environment is highly preferred.
• Technical Familiarity: Hands‑on experience with upstream aerobic/anaerobic fermentation, aseptic processing, or downstream purification systems.
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of plant operations, fluid dynamics, and reading Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) or Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs).
• Working Style (Adaptability): Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment and handle the physical, "boots‑on‑the‑ground" demands of daily plant operations.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective shift handovers and reporting to leadership.
• Location & Availability: Ability to work full‑time on‑site at the production facility on a shift schedule.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans available.

Bluestem is an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.