Process Engineering Intern - Summer 2027

Primient; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Healthcare options

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Primient is seeking a Process Engineer Intern to contribute to process optimization and safety improvements in a manufacturing environment. The role includes lab-scale and plant-scale work, updating diagrams, and supporting automation of filtration processes.

You will work with a collaborative team to learn the engineering lifecycle from lab to plant scale, gain hands-on experience, and support documentation updates while focusing on safety and efficiency improvements.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an engineering degree (Chemical, Mechanical, or related field).
• Curious, self-motivated, eager to learn.
• Strong communication, ability to ask questions and seek clarification.
• Team-oriented and able to work effectively in a group.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to process optimization and safety improvements in a manufacturing setting.
• Perform lab-scale and plant-scale testing and data collection.
• Update P&IDs to reflect current plant configurations.
• Assist in automation of crude solution filtration processes.

Skills

Engineering student

Curiosity & motivation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Pursuing Engineering degree (Chemical/Mechanical)

Job description

About Primient

Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. We’re investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we’re focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.

Role Description: The Process Engineer Intern will have the opportunity to contribute to process optimization and safety improvements within a manufacturing environment. This hands-on role involves both lab-scale and plant-scale work, providing a comprehensive view of the engineering lifecycle. The intern will work on projects aimed at improving efficiency, updating technical documentation, and enhancing safety measures.

Additional housing stipend from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on work and candidate's location.

Key Projects & Responsibilities:

• Conduct lab-scale and plant-scale testing for ion exchange and malic crystallization optimization.
• Update Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) to reflect current plant configurations.
• Identify and implement safety improvements within the facility.
• Assist in the automation of crude solution filtration processes.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Pursuing an engineering degree (Chemical, Mechanical, or a related field).
• Curious, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to ask questions and seek clarification.
• Able to work effectively in a team environment.

Total Rewards

Starting pay of $24.00/hr + overtime with opportunity to advance with our pay for skill system.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• Competitive Pay
• Multiple Healthcare plan choices
• Dental and vision insurance
• A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans
• Paid holidays & vacation
• Floating days off
• Parental leave for new parents
• Employee resource groups
• Learning & development programs
• Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future

Career Path & Culture

Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning.

Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow,

Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

California Consumer Privacy Act ('CCPA')

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minor, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.