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Ag Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Genera

Process Engineer NPD

Vonore, TN · On-site

This engineer translates product performance requirements (strength, formation, OGR, water ... Experience with recycled fiber or non-wood fiber (e.g., molded fiber, ag pulp, bagasse, wheat straw)

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Ag Engineer information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$37.3K

$97.3K

$131.5K

How much do ag engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for ag engineer in Oak Ridge, TN is $97,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,300.00 and $111,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ag engineer?

Ag Engineers, or Agricultural Engineers, are professionals who apply engineering principles to solve problems related to agriculture, such as improving farming equipment, developing irrigation systems, and optimizing crop production. They work to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural processes by integrating technology and environmental concerns. Their work can also involve soil and water conservation, renewable energy, and food processing innovations. Ag Engineers often collaborate with farmers, agronomists, and environmental scientists to address challenges in modern agriculture.

What projects does an ag engineer work on, and how do they collaborate with other professionals?

Ag Engineers often work on projects related to improving agricultural machinery, designing irrigation systems, or developing sustainable farming solutions. These projects usually require close collaboration with agronomists, farmers, environmental scientists, and sometimes government agencies to ensure designs meet both practical and regulatory needs. Teamwork is essential, as Ag Engineers must integrate feedback from field tests and coordinate with manufacturing or construction teams. This collaborative environment helps deliver effective solutions that address real-world agricultural challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ag engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Agricultural Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, agricultural science, and a bachelor's degree in agricultural or biological engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, GIS systems, and industry standards like ASABE certification is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with farmers and multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable agricultural engineers to design sustainable solutions, improve productivity, and address complex challenges in modern agriculture.

What is the difference between Ag Engineer vs Agronomist?

AspectAg EngineerAgronomist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Agricultural Engineering or related field; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Agronomy, Agriculture, or Plant Science; certifications like Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) beneficial
Work EnvironmentDesigning equipment, irrigation systems, and farm infrastructure; often in labs, offices, or on-siteResearching crop production, soil health, and plant management; primarily in labs, fields, or research stations
Employer & Industry UsageFarms, agricultural equipment companies, government agencies, consulting firmsFarms, research institutions, government agencies, agribusiness companies

Ag Engineers focus on designing and improving agricultural systems and equipment, while Agronomists specialize in crop and soil management to optimize plant growth. Both roles require related credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

Do agricultural engineers make good money?

Agricultural engineers typically earn a median annual salary that is competitive within engineering fields, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and employer. They often work in roles involving design, research, and development related to farming systems, machinery, and environmental sustainability. Advanced skills and certifications can lead to higher earning potential.

What does an agricultural engineer do?

An agricultural engineer designs and develops equipment, systems, and processes to improve farming efficiency, sustainability, and safety. They work on areas such as irrigation, machinery, soil and water conservation, and environmental impact, often using tools like CAD software and requiring knowledge of biology and engineering principles.

What are popular job titles related to Ag Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN?

For Ag Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Ag Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN look for?

The top searched job categories for Ag Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Ag Engineer jobs?

Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Ag Engineer job openings:

Ag Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ag Engineer job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,280 per year, or $46.8 per hour.

Process Engineer NPD

Vonore, TN • On-site

Genera
See more jobs at Generaexternal

Other

Posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develop fiber blends, refining targets, and stock approach conditions to meet new product performance requirements

  • Monitor and optimize pulping, washing, screening, cleaning, refining, and stock prep systems in support of product trials and commercial grades

  • Use Lean / Six Sigma methodology to support process improvements and troubleshoot process-related issues

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Vonore, TN 37885Job Shift: Any

The Molded Fiber Process Engineer – Stock Prep & Pulp Systems is responsible for the fiber, stock approach, and pulp chemistry behind Genera's molded fiber product development program. This role optimizes fiber preparation, refining, and stock delivery to enable new product formulations, grade development, and performance targets – working hand-in-hand with Product Development, R&D, Quality, and Operations rather than steady-state mill production alone.

This engineer translates product performance requirements (strength, formation, OGR, water resistance, moldability) into fiber and stock specifications, then runs the trials, pilot work, and process characterization needed to bring new molded fiber products from concept to commercial-ready process conditions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESFiber & Stock Development for New Products
  • Develop fiber blends, refining targets, and stock approach conditions to meet new product performance requirements
  • Translate product development briefs (strength, formation, runnability, OGR, stiffness, moldability) into pulp and stock specifications
  • Run bench-, pilot-, and mill-scale trials to characterize new fiber furnishes and molded fiber formulations
  • Own fiber-side scale-up from lab/pilot trials into production-ready process windows
Process Optimization & Control
  • Monitor and optimize pulping, washing, screening, cleaning, refining, and stock prep systems in support of product trials and commercial grades
  • Improve fiber yield, freeness, strength properties, and consistency control across trial and production runs
  • Reduce variability through improved operating windows, SOPs, and control strategies for new and existing furnishes
  • Analyze process data to identify losses, bottlenecks, and quality risks tied to product performance
Cost, Yield & Energy Improvement
  • Drive reductions in fiber loss, chemical consumption, water usage, and energy intensity as new formulations move to scale
  • Identify and implement variable cost reduction initiatives for fiber and stock prep systems
  • Support benchmarking and best-practice deployment across mill and product development operations
Quality & Product Performance
  • Partner with Quality and Product Development to ensure pulp and stock meet performance targets (strength, formation, runnability, OGR, stiffness, etc.)
  • Support root-cause analysis of customer complaints and internal quality deviations tied to fiber or stock
  • Lead the fiber/pulp workstream for grade changes, product trials, and new product introductions
Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement
  • Use Lean / Six Sigma green or black belt methodology for structured problem solving
  • Support up-time improvement by addressing process-related reliability challenges affecting trials and production
  • Serve as a technical resource during upsets, startups, shutdowns, and trial runs
Capital Projects & Technical Support
  • Provide process design input for capital projects and equipment upgrades tied to stock prep and pulp systems
  • Support commissioning, startup, and post-startup optimization for new or modified fiber/stock equipment
  • Develop process specifications, mass balances, and performance criteria for new product platforms
Safety & Environmental Compliance
  • Champion safe operating practices and MOC discipline
  • Ensure processes comply with environmental permits and regulations
  • Identify opportunities to reduce emissions, effluent load, and waste
QualificationsRequired
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Engineering, or related discipline
  • 3+ years of experience in a pulp mill, fiber prep, or paper/packaging operation
  • Strong understanding of pulping, stock prep, refining, and fiber quality drivers
  • Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work effectively on the plant floor with operators and technicians, and cross-functionally with Product Development and R&D
Preferred
  • Experience with recycled fiber or non-wood fiber (e.g., molded fiber, ag pulp, bagasse, wheat straw)
  • Experience supporting thermoforming, paper, or molded fiber downstream processes
  • Prior involvement in new product development or product trial work, not solely steady-state operations
  • Lean Manufacturing / Green Belt or Black Belt certification
  • Experience with Minitab
  • Familiarity with DCS/PLC systems, SPC, and process modeling
KEY SUCCESS METRICS
  • Successful execution of fiber/stock trials and new product introductions
  • Fiber yield improvement
  • Reduction in variable cost per ton
  • Process stability and uptime during trials and production runs
  • Pulp and stock quality consistency against product performance targets
  • Successful execution of capital projects supporting product development
  • Safety and environmental performance
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