Production Engineer - Decatur, IL

ADM; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ADM’s Decatur East Plant in Illinois is seeking a Production Engineer to optimize and improve chemical and mechanical processes, supporting 24/7 operations. The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with maintenance, controls, process, and quality teams to drive efficiency and cost reductions.

Candidates should bring a B.S. in Engineering and 2+ years of plant operations experience, with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering or equivalent.
• 2+ years of plant operations experience.
• Demonstrated problem solving.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Manage personnel and work across company functions.
• Anticipate challenges and develop options to overcome them.
• Knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and materials/metallurgy.
• Excellent organizational skills for multiple tasks.
• Proactive involvement in safety, environmental, and quality activities.
• Assist in developing colleagues through training and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Identify improvement opportunities and lead focused improvement efforts in area.
• Identify safety and environmental needs and ensure they are included in development/modification of facilities.
• Analyze processes for cost savings, reliability, and performance improvements.
• Collaborate with maintenance, controls, process, and quality teams on process improvements.
• Support day-to-day operations including shift coverage as needed.
• Train and mentor colleagues to share knowledge and best practices.

Skills

Problem solving

Written & verbal communication

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Process improvement

Education

B.S. in Engineering

Job description

Production Engineer- East Plant- Decatur, IL

This is a full-time, exempt level position.

Job Summary

The Decatur East Plant is seeking a production engineer with the skills to improve and optimize our processes. Decatur East Plant produces soy protein ingredients for human and animal consumption.

As a member of the East Plant production team, this colleague will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues by utilizing engineering skills to support operational excellence and new product development efforts. This position is responsible for process improvements for production in all facets of operation through direct contributions of project development from conception though start-up utilizing engineering and performance excellence principles to operate, troubleshoot, and improve chemical and mechanical processes. It is also responsible for assisting in managing day to day operations, tracking and understanding department costs, yields, quality, and process performance.

This position provides an opportunity for a new engineer to join the plant management team and have a positive impact on the success of our nutrition business. Process engineers gain firsthand exposure to leadership of employees, equipment troubleshooting and dealing with the myriad of challenges faced routinely in a facility that operates around the clock, 365 days per year.

Essential Job Functions

• Identify improvement opportunities and Lead the Focused Improvement efforts in their area.
• Identifies safety and environmental needs and requirements, and insures such considerations are included in the development and modification of facilities.
• Analyzes existing processes for cost savings, reliability, and performance improvement opportunities.
• Interacts with maintenance, controls, process, and quality personnel in planning for and the development of process improvements
• Assist in day to day operations including shift coverage as needed.
• Training and mentoring other colleagues

Minimum Job Requirements:

• B.S. in Engineering or equivalent.
• 2+ years of plant operations experience
• Demonstrated problem solving
• Good written and verbal communication skills. Most work will involve developing reports and presentations to relay results and findings to key stakeholders for further decision making. Written and verbal communication of project activities and key metrics shall be provided to managers and other stakeholders.
• Manage personnel and work closely across company job functions.
• Ability to look beyond the task at hand, anticipate challenges, and develop options to overcome them.
• Gain general knowledge of codes, relevant standards, and materials/metallurgy related to equipment and processes assigned.
• Effective interaction with multiple employees and managers to prioritize demands.
• Continuous improvement utilizing independent judgment to solve problems and have excellent organizational skills in order to effectively handle multiple ongoing tasks.
• Proactive participation in safety, environmental, and quality activities is expected to ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures.
• Employee is expected to assist in developing colleagues through training, technical support mentoring, development of pilot operating equipment.

Future Assignments:

Production Engineer experience provides an outstanding foundation on which to build a career, employees advance to opportunities as Project Engineers, and operations management. These assignments involve increasing responsibility and the rewards that go along with it, along with possible relocation opportunities.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

REF:113006BR