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Ethanol Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Archer Daniels Midland

Ethanol Technology Manager - Cedar Rapids, IA This is an exempt level position Position Summary The ... Mentor plant engineers and operators on process optimization and best practices. * Establish and ...

KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, LLC

Operator

Ravenna, NE

$27.75/hr

Operator KAAPA is currently seeking a dedicated and hardworking Operator to join our team at the ... Previous experience in ethanol preferred. * Ability to work independently and manage time ...

Chief Industries, Inc.

Production Operator

Hastings, NE · On-site

$16.25 - $19.75/hr

Operate, control and trouble-shoot process areas of ethanol production facility while maintaining quality and efficiency goals. Operator may work in different areas or positions including relief ...

Chief Industries, Inc.

Control Operator

Hastings, NE · On-site

Oversees and controls the ethanol production process from a centralized control room. This role ... Communicate with field operators to coordinate equipment inspections, manual adjustments, and ...

Chief Industries, Inc.

Production Operator

Lexington, NE · On-site

$15.75 - $19/hr

Operate, control and trouble-shoot process areas of ethanol production facility while maintaining quality and efficiency goals. Operator may work in different areas or positions including relief ...

Plymouth Energy

Operator

Merrill, IA · On-site

$16.50 - $20/hr

Production Operator - Ethanol Plant Operations Merrill, Iowa Join a Team Where Your Work Actually Matters Plymouth Energy is seeking a Full-Time Production Operator for our ethanol facility in ...

Verbio North America

Field Operator

Nevada, IA · On-site

Biorefinery Process Operator Nevada, IA Competitive Hourly Rates based on experience. The ... About Verbio This location is the site of the former DuPont cellulosic ethanol facility. At this ...

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Ethanol Operator information

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How much do ethanol operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for ethanol operator in the United States is $20.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Ethanol Operator, you need a solid understanding of chemical processing, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional vocational training often preferred. Familiarity with Distributed Control Systems (DCS), industrial safety protocols, and possibly certifications like OSHA are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and teamwork are crucial soft skills that help operators maintain efficient and safe plant operations. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure consistent ethanol production, prevent accidents, and support overall plant productivity.

What is the difference between Ethanol Operator vs Ethanol Technician?

AspectEthanol OperatorEthanol Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety certificationsHigh school diploma, safety certifications, technical training
Work EnvironmentProduction plants, industrial facilitiesProduction plants, maintenance areas
Job FocusOperating equipment, monitoring processesMaintaining equipment, troubleshooting issues

Both roles are essential in ethanol production, with the Ethanol Operator focusing on running the process and the Ethanol Technician handling maintenance and repairs. They often work together in the same industrial environment, sharing similar certifications and safety protocols.

What are some common challenges faced by ethanol operators during shift work, and how can they be managed?

Ethanol Operators often work in 24/7 production environments, which can involve rotating shifts and long hours. A common challenge is maintaining focus and safety during extended or overnight shifts, as fatigue can impact performance. To manage this, operators should prioritize rest, adhere to safety protocols, and communicate proactively with team members during shift handovers. Additionally, adapting to frequent changes in process conditions and troubleshooting equipment issues requires strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

What is an ethanol operator?

Ethanol Operators are professionals responsible for overseeing the production process of ethanol, a type of biofuel, in manufacturing facilities. Their duties include monitoring equipment, controlling chemical processes, conducting quality checks, and ensuring safety and environmental regulations are followed. They often work with complex machinery and collaborate with engineers and technicians to optimize production efficiency. Ethanol Operators play a key role in helping facilities meet production goals while maintaining operational safety and compliance.
More about Ethanol Operator jobs
What states have the most Ethanol Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Ethanol Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ethanol Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ethanol Operator jobs are:
Ethanol Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ethanol Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,306 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

Ethanol Technology Manager - Cedar Rapids, IA

Archer Daniels Midland

On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

ADM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 185 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

77th of 360 rated logistics

Job description

Ethanol Technology Manager - Cedar Rapids, IA
This is an exempt level position
Position Summary
The Ethanol Technology Manager supports plant process areas related to the production and optimization of ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, and co-products within dry and wet mill operations.
Primary process areas include:
  • Grain handling and preparation
  • Liquefaction and saccharification
  • Fermentation
  • Distillation and dehydration
  • Evaporation and drying systems (DDGS/Fiber/HSW/etc..)
These products and systems are produced through core unit operations such as:
  • Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation
  • Distillation and molecular sieve dehydration
  • Evaporation and thermal drying
  • Centrifugation and separation
  • Heat integration and energy systems
  • CIP and chemical treatment systems
This role focuses on continuous improvement, optimization, and reliability of ethanol plants, while collaborating across multiple facilities to standardize best practices and drive performance.
The technology manager will act as a resource for all plant operations leader and organizational engineers in the application of engineering principles to process design, troubleshooting, and deployment of new technologies, ensuring plant systems operate at safe, optimal, and cost-effective conditions.
This position plays a key role in achieving production targets, yield maximization, energy reduction, and carbon intensity improvements.
Essential Job Functions
  • Demonstrate technology leadership and promote a strong process safety culture.
  • Benchmark ethanol plant performance (yield, energy, uptime) against internal and external best-in-class operations and drive improvements.
  • Standardize and replicate best practices across ethanol sites, including fermentation efficiency, dryer performance, and energy usage.
  • Manage and prioritize a portfolio of process improvement and capital projects across site operations.
  • Collaborate with corporate and plant teams to align on technology deployment, modernization, and automation opportunities.
  • Evaluate and implement new process technologies (e.g., enzyme systems, fermentation controls, heat integration, CO capture).
  • Provide hands-on support in troubleshooting process bottlenecks (fermentation upsets, distillation inefficiencies, dryer constraints).
  • Establish and track KPIs: ethanol yield, DDGS quality, energy usage (BTU/gal), uptime, and chemical usage.
  • Work closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to implement reliability and efficiency improvements.
  • Mentor plant engineers and operators on process optimization and best practices.
  • Establish and maintain regular contact and communications with the managers and superintendents at the target support facilities
Required Skills
  • Strong commitment to process safety and operational excellence.
  • Deep understanding of ethanol-related unit operations:
    • Fermentation kinetics
    • Distillation & molecular sieve systems
    • Evaporation and drying
    • Centrifugation and separation
    • Heat exchangers, utilities, and energy systems
  • Experience in process optimization and yield improvement using data analytics and plant KPIs.
  • Ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, and leadership teams.
  • Working knowledge of PFDs, P&IDs, mass & energy balances, and control strategies.
  • Willingness to work in plant environments and travel to support multiple sites.
  • Results-driven with strong problem-solving capability.
Required Education
Bachelor's degree in:
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Bioprocess Engineering
  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • or related technical field
Required Experience
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in ethanol and or bioprocessing operations
  • Strong background in process engineering, operations support, or plant leadership
Desired Experience
  • Experience in ethanol plant operations leadership or advanced process technology roles
  • Exposure to:
    • Advanced process control (APC)
    • Fermentation optimization / enzyme technology
    • Energy reduction initiatives
    • Carbon intensity / CO capture strategies
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. 
REF:110487

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