Process Engineer

Location: Johnson Creek

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Join Aztalan Bio as a Process Engineer and help support a growing, innovative biorefinery in Jefferson, WI. The Process Engineer will play a critical role in optimizing and advancing manufacturing processes and systems within the ethanol plant. This position focuses on improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality, and reliability through expert analysis and implementation of process improvements. Key responsibilities include leading high-impact projects such as Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR), Advanced Process Control (APC), and automation system upgrades, including the development of Functional Design Specifications (FDS).

The role also provides technical support, resolves complex process issues, collaborates across teams, and ensures compliance with industry best practices and regulatory standards.

This full-time role offers competitive pay and a strong benefits package including medical, dental, vision, PTO, sick time, and more.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Time
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Many more employee perks

Duties and Responsibilities

• Apply Process Safety Management (PSM) principles to ensure safe and compliant operations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate hazards in manufacturing processes and products.
• Lead and implement capital and optimization projects, including MVR, APC, and automation system upgrades.
• Develop and manage Functional Design Specifications (FDS) for automation systems and control logic.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, maintenance, safety) to troubleshoot and resolve process-related issues.
• Analyze current equipment and systems to identify areas for improvement and recommend cost-effective, sustainable changes.
• Provide technical leadership in plant improvement initiatives, including:
  Energy efficiency water reduction, and yield optimization.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements relevant to ethanol production.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present clear technical reports and communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Operate with a high level of autonomy and initiative in a fast-paced environment.

About Aztalan Bio

Aztalan Bio is part of Clon Bio Group, a family-owned global leader in grain biorefining. Our Jefferson, WI facility is the largest ethanol plant in the state, processing up to 50 million bushels of locally grown corn each year to produce ethanol, corn oil, distillers grains, bran, and germ.

Our sister facility, Pannonia Bio in Hungary, is one of the most advanced biorefineries in the world. Aztalan Bio is undergoing a multi-year, multi-hundred-million-dollar transformation modeled on this success-bringing world-class innovation and technology to Wisconsin. Clon Bio invests heavily in its people, with engineers and scientists from 23 countries across five continents supporting our long-term growth.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Process Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of work-related experience in process engineering.
• Experience working in an ethanol plant, grain processing facility, or wet mill is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management programs and Process Hazard Analysis for biological and chemical processes.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle complex issues and make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas, present reports, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, demonstrating initiative and delivering results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• When in the plant environment, employee may be exposed to moderate to high noise levels, moving mechanical parts, and/or to chemicals used in the process.
• Employee may be exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.
• Occasional exposure to chemicals used in the process.
• Humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Personal Protective Equipment such as safety glasses, steel-toed boots, flame-resistant clothing, and hearing protection will regularly be required (or may be required).
• Regularly required to walk, sit, talk, and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and may occasionally be required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee will be required to do some walking/climbing stairs and occasional use of ladders.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the…