Plant Operator

Bluestem Biosciences•South Sioux City, NE

38d•Onsite

About The Position

We use American corn and existing bioethanol infrastructure to produce critical chemicals right here at home—powering U.S. competitiveness and securing our nation's supply chains - while reinvesting in agricultural America. Bluestem Biosciences has engineered a breakthrough in American manufacturing. Our proprietary biomanufacturing process represents a new, cost-effective, and advantaged way to produce platform chemicals domestically. With the foundation of existing infrastructure, we convert abundant, renewable American corn into high-value chemicals at scale. 🌽 JOIN US AS WE ACCELERATE TO COMMERCIALIZATION We are seeking a reliable and safety-focused Plant Operator to join our production team. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and continuous daily operation of our biochemical production equipment. As a core member of the operations team, you will work on a shift schedule to monitor equipment, execute daily production runs, and support the facility's exciting transition from commissioning to full-scale commercial operation.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in biochemical or specialty chemical manufacturing.
Experience working within a brownfield or greenfield startup environment is highly preferred.
Hands-on experience with upstream aerobic/anaerobic fermentation, aseptic processing, or downstream purification systems.
Strong understanding of plant operations, fluid dynamics, and reading Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) or Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs).
Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and handle the physical, "boots-on-the-ground" demands of daily plant operations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective shift handovers and reporting to leadership.
Ability to work full-time on-site at the production facility on a shift schedule.

Responsibilities

Operate the plant daily on a designated shift schedule, ensuring continuous, safe, and efficient facility operations.
Monitor and control biochemical production systems—including upstream fermentation and downstream purification equipment—to maintain optimal process yields and specifications.
Assist with hands-on Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and initial commissioning/startup activities for utility and process systems.
Strictly follow and enforce all Site Safety Protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and Process Safety Management (PSM) standards.
Execute production runs according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions, providing feedback to improve technical accuracy and efficiency.
Identify operational bottlenecks, equipment failures, or yield deviations on the floor, and assist with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to rectify issues quickly.
Document and communicate shift data, technical challenges, and equipment status clearly to the Operations Lead.