Research Engineer

Primient; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 82,054 - 102,567; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Healthcare options

401(k) plan with matching

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays & vacation

Floating days off

Parental leave

Employee resource groups

Learning & development

Job summary

Primient is seeking a Process Technology Engineer to support the Global Operations division and lead projects focused on cost reduction and operational improvement. The role serves as a change agent for process improvements and builds capability across People and Systems.

You will manage process engineering support for manufacturing, drive experiments from bench to pilot scale, and collaborate to transfer processes to production, ensuring KPI documentation and sustained gains.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering or related engineering field.
• 2–5 years of industrial experience, preferably within the GMP environment.
• Practical hands-on expertise with equipment.
• Experience in process development, experimental design, statistical analysis, process optimization, and scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Provide process engineering support for manufacturing operations.
• Lead process improvements projects, including setup, design, and execution of experiments at bench and pilot scale.
• Provide economic analysis/assessment of current and future candidate process concepts and technologies.
• Communicate with key stakeholders to meet project goals and deadlines.
• Train technicians and other team members on equipment use, data collection, and analysis.
• Collaborate with internal partners for tech transfer from pilot plant to production environments.

Skills

Chemical Engineering

Industrial experience

Hands-on equipment

Process development

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Process optimization

Scale-up

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

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. Our priority is to produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold responsibility and commitment to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the U.S., Mexico, Poland, and Brazil, investing in our plants and people to unlock potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by the values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we focus on growing our business, our reputation, and each teammate’s career.

Process Technology Engineer | Primient

As a member of the Global Operation Support Team, the Process Improvement Engineer provides technical support across the Global Operations division and leads a portfolio of projects focused on cost reduction and operational improvement. The position acts as a change agent for process improvement implementations and enhancement of people and systems capabilities. It extends Primient’s continuous improvement program, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and sustainment while facilitating projects across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide process engineering support for manufacturing operations
• Lead process improvements projects, including: setup, design, and execution of experiments at bench and pilot scale; evaluation and interpretation of experimental results
• Provide economic analysis/assessment of current and future candidate process concepts and technologies
• Communicate frequently with key stakeholders to meet project goals and deadlines
• Train technicians and other team members on equipment use, data collection, and analysis
• Collaborate with internal partners to ensure effective technical transfer from the pilot plant to production environments, including documentation of new/updated key process indicators (KPIs)
• Analyze opportunities and guide and plan actions around process improvement ideas
• Foster collaborative and organizational learning
• Manage monthly project reviews, growth of project pipeline, and move projects through development stages to completion
• Willingness to travel as required (generally <20%), primarily supporting North America based operations

About You

We’re looking for engineers who are keen to learn fast in an environment of excellence. You will need:

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering or related engineering field.
• 2‑5 years of industrial experience, preferably within the food or other GMP environment.
• Practical hands‑on expertise with equipment.
• Experience in process development, experimental design, statistical analysis, process optimization, and scale‑up.
• Stem‑to‑stern project experience (process development, scale‑up, P&I development, punch lists, commissioning, start‑up, operations, etc.)
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and unit operations including centrifugation, evaporation, filtration, ion exchange, chromatography/SSMB, and enzyme reactors.

Total Rewards

The annual pay range for this position is $82,053.60 – $102,567.00 and is bonus eligible. Compensation is determined based on experience, skills, and alignment with role responsibilities. A comprehensive Total Rewards package 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

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Primient is committed to a workplace that embraces equity, diversity, and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking, encourage employee voices, and provide an inclusive environment where all employees feel heard, valued, and safe to speak up.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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

Privacy Statement

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and all data privacy laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring: 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 and credit history; social media information; pre‑employment test results; post‑offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; voluntary self‑disclosure regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and information provided during the hiring process.