Sr. Compost Engineer

Synagro; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 15 days

Holidays 10

Medical/Dental/Vision

HSA with company match

FSA

401(k) with company match

Career growth

Tuition reimbursement

Bonus program

Job summary

Synagro is seeking a senior technical leader to act as the primary resource on composting processes at our facilities. You will help ensure efficient operation, compliant production, and the design or refurbishing of composting systems across windrow, ASP, and turned aerated methods.

Responsibilities include leading capital projects, performing due diligence on M&A, managing subcontractors, training staff, and developing production models tailored to site conditions, while traveling up to 50%

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline/engineering/agriculture; Master preferred.
• 10+ years of increasing responsibility in industrial services, manufacturing or engineering.
• Minimum of five years in a Profit/Loss leadership role managing multiple sites.
• Bachelor of Engineering (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering team's design of new facilities and major capital projects.
• Lead due diligence in company M&A projects of existing composting companies.
• Serve as the primary technical resource to the company’s existing compost facilities (Windrow, ASP, and Turned Aerated BDP).
• Ensure the compost facility and compost products meet and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the company’s primary technical resource on all aspects of composting and compost use (internal/external clients).
• Modify production based on site-specific conditions (weather, feedstock, technology, equipment status, and client needs).
• Evaluate new organic waste management technologies and equipment.
• Develop feasibility studies to assess performance and produce valid business models.
• Manage multiple subcontractors and contracts for project development and maintenance activities.
• Ensure facilities meet client expectations (regulatory compliance, production, equipment, and product use).
• Staff training: develop teaching materials and train staff on composting processes and equipment.
• Maintain PPE and professional appearance.

Skills

Strong communication

Project leadership

Travel up to 50%

Budgeting

Process optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline/engineering/agriculture

Master’s degree preferred

Bachelor of Engineering (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Synagro is North America's premier, award‑winning, biosolids management firm offering a competitive salary for highly motivated, self‑starter with strong work ethic, in a supportive work environment. Synagro partners with stakeholders to clean our water, protect our environment and serve our communities by generating worth from what others call waste. We work to protect the health of our water, our Earth, and those who depend on them now and in the future.

Benefits

• 15 days paid time off
• 10 holidays
• Medical/Dental/Vision (within 30 days of hire)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company match
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) with company match (fully vested upon hire)
• Career growth and promotional opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Bonus Incentive Program

Job Summary

This position functions as the primary technical resource on all aspects of the composting process. The role ensures the composting facility operates efficiently (microbially, mechanically, and economically), to process organic residuals into market‑grade compost in compliance with best industry practices. The position uses its extensive knowledge, skills & ability (KSA) in the composting field to design new and refurbish existing facilities as well as to trouble‑shoot operations, ensure productivity, and generate quality compost. The role also assists efforts to increase compost use and marketing (agricultural/horticultural).

Responsibilities

• Using composting KSA’s, lead the engineering team’s design of new facilities and major capital projects that retrofit existing composting facilities.
• Lead technical due diligence efforts in company M&A projects of existing composting companies.
• Serve as the overall technical resource to the company’s existing compost facilities (Windrow, ASP, and Turned Aerated (BDP)).
• Ensure the compost facility and compost products meet and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the company’s primary technical resource on all aspects of composting and compost use (internal/external clients). Collect, and maintain a database of scientific research, regulatory issues, and general information that impact composting and compost use. Regularly assess and provide reports on emerging issues.
• Use KSA on an on‑going basis to modify production based on site‑specific conditions (weather, feedstock, technology, equipment status, and client needs).
• Evaluate new organic waste management technologies and equipment.
• Develop and conduct feasibility studies to assess performance (real world) and produce valid business models.
• Manage multiple subcontractors and contracts for project development and maintenance activities.
• Ensure that company facilities consistently operate to meet internal and external client expectations (regulatory compliance, production, equipment, and product use).
• Staff training: develop teaching materials and present information to staff on all aspects of the composting process. Train staff on the operation and maintenance of the instruments and tools needed to monitor and direct composting activities.
• Maintain professional appearance and use personal protection equipment (PPE) when required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to effectively communicate with all levels of personnel including executive management.
• Ability to work in dispersed, fast‑paced operational environment.
• Ability to travel up to 50%
• Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate and build a culture of accountability for results.
• All aspects of the composting process (from microbial mechanisms to heavy equipment).
• Ability to create budgets for specific tasks and entire facilities (capital, O&M and revenue).

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline/engineering/agriculture, Master preferred.
• 10+ years of increasing responsibility, experience in industrial services, manufacturing or engineering industries.
• Minimum of five years in a Profit/Loss leadership role managing multiple sites.
• Bachelor of Engineering (preferred).

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• Talking, hearing, and seeing. Sitting, standing, walking.
• The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• The worker is subject to hazards including proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or bio‑solids.
• This position requires travel and overtime.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $110,000-$140,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all essential job functions, knowledge, skills, abilities, efforts, and physical or working conditions associated with a position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.