Process Development Engineering Manager

Responsibilities

• Manage all of POET Research Process Development Engineers and Technicians.
• Oversees all engineering activities in the research facility.
• Effectively lead the team by recruiting, selecting, orienting and training team members.
• Leadership responsibilities also include delegating, coaching, managing performance and career development to effectively execute departmental strategies and support company objectives.
• Ensure that POET's technology and technical capabilities are best in class.
• Develop innovative technical solutions to improve plant performance, provide process alternatives or develop new products.
• Collaborate with Operations teams to understand key areas of opportunity in Bioprocessing Operations and develop strategies to close operational gaps.
• Be aware of industry trends and find the best solutions to drive value for POET.
• Generate or supervise the creation of process flowsheets and mass and energy balances on processes under development based on laboratory or bench scale data using Microsoft Visio, Excel, Aspen, ChemCad, or other process simulation software.
• Generate major equipment list and estimated capital project budget based on info prepared above and knowledge of standard equipment costing routines.
• Support POET Research Center's starch & pilot plant operations as necessary. Support includes process troubleshooting, operator training, and DCS modifications.
• Continuously improve POET's pilot plant technology resulting lower cost more effectively trialing of new or improved processes.
• Generate detailed equipment specifications for pilot scale equipment to be located.
• Coordinate procurement and installation of equipment with POET Design & Construction, POET Research Center, or other Bioprocessing location.
• Support a range of activities from development of research/project goals, to drafting of technical documentation for full scale development.
• Meet or exceed project timelines while staying within project budgets or capital estimates.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals.
• Be "hands on" supporting benchtop, pilot plant, and plant trials being conducted at POET Research Center. Support ranges from creating experimental design to operating equipment.
• Provide operational startup support at production plants to assist in the rollout of new processes/technologies to POET Bioprocessing facilities.
• Represent POET at scientific conferences and meetings.
• Communicate results through internal POET presentations, technical reports, and patent disclosures and/or published papers.
• Promote safety in all aspects of engineering, equipment, and process design, team member training, and plant operations and maintenance.
• Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times.
• Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community.
• Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET's products and processes to deliver a best-in-class culture of quality.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree or greater in a related field; Chemical Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural & Biological Systems Engineering or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in chemical process industry, particularly as a process engineer or equivalent related industry preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in a management role for project and project teams including managing project costs.
• Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within process engineering in a production plant utilizing agricultural feedstock.
• Familiarity with DCS control (Delta V) systems and historian is beneficial.
• Knowledge of the basics of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability of learning new programs.

A Successful Candidate Will Have

• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills as well as the ability to adapt to change
• A high level of personal integrity
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• An innovative mindset
• The ability to think objectively
• Self-awareness in the face of uncertainty
• The ability to work in a team environment