Process Engineer

Green Plains Inc.; Central City (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefit package

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

401(k) retirement plan with company matching

Job summary

A leading biorefining company in Nebraska is seeking a Process Engineer to drive engineering solutions and optimize production in biorefineries. The role emphasizes safety, productivity, and collaboration within a cohesive team, requiring a Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and 3+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing setting. Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits are offered, including health, dental, and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in chemical processes or production.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute engineering solutions in biorefineries.
• Monitor daily process KPIs.
• Design and specify new plant processes.
• Provide technical guidance to process operators.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Basic chemical unit operations knowledge

Problem-solving skills

Ability to collaborate across functions

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related field

Job description

Summary: As a Process Engineer, you will quickly gain exposure to various challenges, current and emerging technologies, and multiple-unit operations within Green Plains Inc. This role, reporting to the Director of Protein, provides a key link between process optimization and capital project execution, while building your experience and expertise in a corn‑processing biorefinery. You will collaborate within our cohesive team and study multiple unit operations to improve performance, yield, and operating expense (OPEX) to accelerate your career development.

Key Responsibilities

• Prioritize safety and productivity in all work activities.
• Develop, lead, and execute engineering solutions in the biorefineries to improve safety, quality, yields, and operating expenses (OPEX).
• Monitor day‑to‑day process KPIs against established benchmarks, actively participating in troubleshooting and resolution across our fleet of biorefineries.
• Key contributor in identifying and resolving operational inefficiencies through engineered solutions.
• Design and specify the operation of new plant processes to drive operational excellence.
• Actively engage as a key member of our Engineering team, contributing to regular meetings to share operational best practices, benchmark standards, and engineering updates and educating operations personnel.
• Exhibits excellent communication skills at all organizational levels, preparing engineering reports, project justification proposals, and technical unit operations papers.
• Contribute to and/or spearhead the design of engineering projects, taking responsibility for project management and execution of projects that are pivotal to business transformation.
• Ensure engineering assignments are completed within specified time and budget constraints.
• Stay current with technical skills and knowledge at a state‑of‑the‑art level.
• Collaborate with engineers and production personnel across the fleet of biorefineries, involving some travel to other biorefineries as needed.
• Foster cross‑functional communication with Sales, Marketing, and Accounting, as well as externally with professional organizations.
• Receive moderate guidance and some supervision, with significant autonomy for planning and executing work.
• Provide technical guidance and instruction to process operators and other engineers, assisting them with procedural and technical matters.
• Tackle a wide range of troubleshooting problems; utilizing your fundamental knowledge of the process and creative problem‑solving skills to recommend corrective actions.

Requirements

• 3+ years’ engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, with a preference in corn processing or related agricultural processing field.
• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related engineering field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of basic chemical unit operations and Process Safety Management (PSM) systems.
• Experience in chemical processes or production and a background in food manufacturing.
• Valid driver's license is required.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time as needed.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, elevated work areas, dusty conditions, and elevated noise levels.
• Ability to work after hours/weekends and on call as needed.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 60 lbs.
• Ability to climb ladders, bend, twist and reach, or stand for long periods of time.

Green Plains Inc. offers competitive pay: a generous benefit package including a business casual work environment, health, dental, vision, life insurance, paid holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO) and a 401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting and company safe harbor matching.

All potential employees of Green Plains Inc. will be required to successfully pass a pre‑employment drug screening and background check prior to employment.

Green Plains does not provide immigration‑related employment sponsorship for new hires (for example, H‑1B, F‑1 OPT, TN, or other work visas). Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis and be able to maintain ongoing work authorization without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRE) is a leading biorefining company driving the transition to a low‑carbon economy through the production of renewable fuels and sustainable, high‑impact ingredients. Leveraging agricultural, biological, and fermentation expertise, the company transforms renewable crops into low‑carbon energy and feedstocks. Green Plains is a leader in low‑carbon intensity (CI) biofuels production and continues to explore opportunities to expand its output. With a strong commitment to innovation and operational excellence, Green Plains is delivering long‑term value to stakeholders. For more information, visit www.gpreinc.com.