Plant Engineer

KAAPA Ethanol Holdings•Aurora, NE

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Are you a meticulous and dependable team player with a passion for continuous plant improvement? We invite you to join our KAAPA team as a Plant Engineer at our Aurora location. Job Responsibilities: Work closely with the Engineering Manager and KAAPA resources to drive continuous improvement initiatives that maximize plant production, quality, efficiency, and profitability. Monitor and analyze day‑to-day operations of the dry‑mill ethanol facility to identify performance gaps, improvement opportunities, and cost‑reduction strategies. Assist in leading, managing, and executing capital and operational projects from concept through completion, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. Support plant leadership in achieving safety, environmental, production, and efficiency objectives while aligning with company policies, goals, and strategic initiatives. Ensure compliance with OSHA guidelines, environmental regulations, and all applicable city, county, state, and federal requirements related to process operations. Evaluate process performance, chemical usage, and operating practices; recommend and implement improvements, new technologies, and process optimizations. Provide technical expertise and leadership to operations and maintenance teams to resolve process issues and improve plant reliability. Assist in developing and managing the annual operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, cost tracking, and justification of improvement projects. Maintain clear communication with plant leadership regarding project status, operational challenges, safety concerns, and improvement progress. Promote a culture of accountability, attention to detail, and continuous improvement across all plant functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, or process engineering preferred
Valid driver’s license
Able to communicate information and state problems or challenges to be resolved
Able to adapt with minimal or advance notice to changes
Able to speak, listen, read, and communicate clearly
Proficient with Microsoft Office
Able and willing to learn new software applications
Learn and effectively use Llumin

Nice To Haves

5 years' experience in the operations of a dry-mill ethanol plant preferred
Previous project management experience preferred
Strong knowledge of the ethanol production process and technology preferred

Responsibilities

Drive continuous improvement initiatives that maximize plant production, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
Monitor and analyze day‑to-day operations of the dry‑mill ethanol facility to identify performance gaps, improvement opportunities, and cost‑reduction strategies.
Assist in leading, managing, and executing capital and operational projects from concept through completion, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
Support plant leadership in achieving safety, environmental, production, and efficiency objectives while aligning with company policies, goals, and strategic initiatives.
Ensure compliance with OSHA guidelines, environmental regulations, and all applicable city, county, state, and federal requirements related to process operations.
Evaluate process performance, chemical usage, and operating practices; recommend and implement improvements, new technologies, and process optimizations.
Provide technical expertise and leadership to operations and maintenance teams to resolve process issues and improve plant reliability.
Assist in developing and managing the annual operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, cost tracking, and justification of improvement projects.
Maintain clear communication with plant leadership regarding project status, operational challenges, safety concerns, and improvement progress.
Promote a culture of accountability, attention to detail, and continuous improvement across all plant functions.