Sr. Engineer, Starch, Decatur

Primient•Decatur, IL

10d•$123,515 - $154,394

About The Position

The Senior Engineer is part of the Engineering Technical Track and provides technical leadership, process optimization, and project execution to improve plant efficiency, reliability, and safety. The role leads complex capital and non-capital projects, oversees large-scale process improvements, and provides technical oversight and mentorship to junior engineers while upholding engineering standards and best practices. It also serves as a unit-operation subject matter expert across multiple plants, supporting troubleshooting, startups, process standardization, and strategic decision-making. With formal leadership responsibilities, the Senior Engineer helps set engineering priorities, develop cost-effective solutions, and influence plant-wide operational strategy. The role requires expertise in process design, plant operations, unit operations, continuous improvement, safety and environmental practices, procurement, and budget management. The position works across disciplines and sites and uses data-driven problem solving to improve operations, reduce costs, support safe and compliant plant performance, and extend equipment life. A bachelor's degree in an applicable engineering field from an ABET-accredited institution and at least six years of process engineering and project management experience in chemical manufacturing are required. The estimated annual pay range is $123,515.20–$154,394.00, and the role is bonus eligible. Primient offers a comprehensive rewards package, career development opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Biological, or Electrical Engineering, or a related field, from an ABET-accredited institution.
At least 6 years of process engineering and project management experience in a chemical manufacturing environment.
Experience identifying and implementing process optimization and cost-reduction initiatives.
Experience managing large capital funds.
Experience implementing cross-functional projects.
Experience with PHA, DHA, PSSR, and JRA evaluations.
Knowledge of process design, including material and energy balances, fluid dynamics, process control, thermodynamics, materials of construction and compatibility, and equipment sizing.
Multidisciplinary understanding and the ability to recognize when other disciplines should be involved in project or process design.
Expertise with business systems such as Microsoft Office, Outlook, SAP, CATS, and Gensuite.
Knowledge of continuous-improvement methodologies and safety, quality, and environmental regulations and best practices.
Knowledge of procurement strategies and budget management.
In-depth understanding of whole-plant design and operation, and expertise in a variety of unit operations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to develop independent solutions, think critically, and solve problems.
Project management capability for high-impact and complex projects.
Influential leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to troubleshoot complex issues with unknown solutions and conduct root-cause analysis.
Time-management, prioritization, and documentation skills.
Coaching, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing skills.
Collaborative, data-driven, goal-oriented, safety- and sustainability-conscious, technically curious, solution-focused, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement, with a holistic perspective.

Nice To Haves

Participation in initiatives or projects at other sites or in other areas.
Six Sigma or continuous-improvement experience.

Responsibilities

Manage and execute capital and non-capital projects ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, ensuring timely delivery, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with engineering standards.
Lead multidisciplinary teams in project execution while balancing technical, financial, and operational priorities.
Identify and implement technical improvements to enhance productivity, uptime, cost efficiency, and safety across multiple unit operations.
Develop and execute data-driven solutions to improve operational performance.
Lead and support safety programs, hazard analysis, and risk mitigation; integrate safety into process design, capital projects, and daily engineering activities.
Support or lead process design, troubleshooting, and startups across multiple plants.
Serve as a unit-operation subject matter expert, supporting process standardization and sharing best practices across sites.
Apply LEAN, Six Sigma, and data analytics methodologies to identify inefficiencies and implement scalable continuous-improvement solutions.
Coach and guide less experienced engineers in technical problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.
Participate in site and area leadership discussions and provide technical insight and strategic recommendations on plant efficiency, resource allocation, and long-term operational success.
Lead initiatives to improve equipment reliability, reduce energy consumption, and enhance operational sustainability.
Develop proactive engineering solutions that support the long-term viability of critical plant assets.
Identify and improve inefficiencies in process documentation, communication, system workflows, and engineering and plant operations.