Sr. Engineer, Starch, Decatur

Primient; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 124,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Primient seeks a Senior Engineer, Starch, in Decatur to provide technical leadership across plant operations and multi-site troubleshooting. You will manage capital and non-capital projects, drive process improvements, and guide junior engineers while ensuring safety and reliability throughout the starch network.

The role requires a BS in engineering, 6+ years in process engineering, and strong Lean/Six Sigma, data analytics, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio, or Electrical Engineering from ABET accredited institution.
• 6+ years in process engineering and project management in chemical manufacturing.
• Experience leading cross-site initiatives and managing large capital funds.
• PHA/DHA/PSSR/JRA evaluation experience is required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex capital and non-capital projects across multiple plants.
• Drive process optimization to improve productivity, uptime, and safety.
• Mentor and develop engineers and lead cross-functional teams.
• Support safety programs, hazard analysis, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide multi-plant technical support and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Problem Solving

Project Management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Troubleshooting complex issues

Time management

Documentation

Education

BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

SAP

CATS

Gensuite

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.

Sr. Engineer, Starch, Decatur | Primient

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.

About The Role

The Senior Engineer sits within the Engineering Technical Track and provides technical leadership, process optimization, and project execution to enhance plant efficiency, reliability, and safety. This role goes beyond troubleshooting to lead complex technical projects (both capital and non-capital), oversee large-scale process improvements, and guide junior engineers in their development. The Senior Engineer reviews, mentors, and provides technical oversight, ensuring engineering standards and best practices are upheld. Additionally, this role serves as a unit operation SME across multiple plants, contributing to multi-site troubleshooting, startups, process standardization, and strategic decision‑making. With formal leadership responsibilities, the Senior Engineer helps shape engineering priorities, drive cos—effective solutions, and influence plant‑wide operational strategy.

Key responsibilities: Sr. Engineer

• Lead Complex Projects: Manage and execute capital and non-capital projects ranging from $500K to $2MM, ensuring timely delivery, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to engineering standards. Lead multi-disciplinary teams in project execution, balancing technical, financial, and operational priorities.
• Drive Process Optimization: Identify and implement technical improvements that enhance productivity, uptime, cost efficiency, and safety. Develop and execute data-driven solutions to improve operational performance across multiple unit operations.
• Ensure Safety & Compliance: Lead and support safety programs, hazard analysis, and risk mitigation efforts to ensure safe plant operations. Integrate safety considerations into process design, capital projects, and daily engineering activities.
• Provide Multi-Plant Technical Support: Support or lead process design, troubleshooting, and startups across multiple plants. Act as a technical SME for unit operations, assisting in process standardization and best practice sharing across sites.
• Lead Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Apply LEAN, Six Sigma, and data analytics methodologies to identify inefficiencies, drive process improvements, and develop scalable solutions that enhance plant-wide performance.
• Mentor & Develop Engineers: Coach and guide less experienced engineers, proving mentorship in technical problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional collaboration. Help engineers progress in their careers by fostering expertise and ownership of plant processes.
• Influence Site Leadership & Strategic Planning: Actively participate in site and area leadership discussions, contributing technical insight and strategic recommendations to improve plant efficiency, resource allocation, and long-term operational success.
• Champion Sustainability & Equipment Longevity: Drive initiatives that enhance equipment reliability, reduce energy consumption, and improve overall sustainability of operations. Ensure the long‑term viability of critical plant assets through proactive engineering solutions.
• Enhance Ways of Working: Identify inefficiencies in process documentation, communication, and system workflows and implement structural improvements that streamline engineering functions and plant operations.

Work Requirements

Knowledge

• Process Design (Material & Energy, Fluid Dynamics, Process Control, Thermodynamics, Material of Construction & Compatibility, Equipment Sizing)
• Multi-disciplinary understanding and technical expertise (Understands when and why to involve other disciplines in project/process design, and can “speak the language”)
• Expertise in business systems (i.e. Microsoft Office, Outlook, SAP, CATS, Gensuite, etc)
• Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Safety, quality, & environmental regulations and best practices
• Procurement Strategies and Budget Management
• In depth whole plant design/operation
• Expertise in a variety of unit operations which allow external candidates to learn quickly, and prove that internal candidates understand an entire product flow

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Develop independent solutions
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Project Management of high-impact and complex projects
• Influential leadership
• Stakeholder management
• Troubleshooting Complex Issues with Unknown Solutions
• Root Cause Analysis
• Time Management & prioritization
• Documentation
• Coaching, mentorship, & knowledge sharing

Mindsets

• Collaborative
• Data Driven
• Goal-oriented
• Attention to safety, quality, and sustainability
• Technical Curiosity
• Solution Focused
• Adaptable & flexible
• Continuous Improvement mindset
• Holistic View

Required And/or Preferred Education/Certification

• BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Bio, Electrical Engineering or a related field from ABET accredited institution (required)

Required And/or Preferred Work Experience

• 6+ years in process engineering and project management in chemical manufacturing environment (required)
• Identification and implementation of process optimization and cost reduction (required)
• Participation in initiatives/projects at other sites/areas (preferred)
• Management of large capital funds (required)
• Cross-Functional project implementation (required)
• PHA/DHA/PSSR/JRA evaluation experience (required)
• Six Sigma/CI (preferred)

Total Rewards

The annual pay range estimated for this position is $123,515.20 - $154,394.00 and is bonus eligible.

Please note that while this range reflects the full spectrum of compensation available for this role, individual compensation will be determined based on several factors including your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities. During the interview process there will be an opportunity to discuss how your background fits into the pay range.

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 minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.