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Ethanol Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Deliver technical leadership in the areas of plant operations and ethanol fermentation processes. * Assist with ethanol plant support requests, including plant visits, troubleshooting plant problems ...

Deliver technical leadership in the areas of plant operations and ethanol fermentation processes. * Assist with ethanol plant support requests, including plant visits, troubleshooting plant problems ...

Deliver technical leadership in the areas of plant operations and ethanol fermentation processes. * Assist with ethanol plant support requests, including plant visits, troubleshooting plant problems ...

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Ethanol Plant information

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How much do ethanol plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for ethanol plant in the United States is $22.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ethanol plant?

An Ethanol Plant job involves working in a facility that produces ethanol, a renewable fuel made from biomass materials like corn or sugarcane. Employees may work in various roles such as plant operations, maintenance, quality control, or logistics. Responsibilities often include monitoring production processes, ensuring safety compliance, and maintaining equipment. These jobs typically require knowledge of industrial machinery, chemistry, and safety protocols. Ethanol plants play a key role in renewable energy production and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in an ethanol plant?

A typical day at an ethanol plant involves monitoring equipment, conducting routine inspections, adjusting process controls, and responding to any operational issues that arise. Operators frequently check gauges, sample products, and log data to ensure that production meets quality and safety standards. Collaboration with maintenance teams, lab personnel, and management is common to address challenges and optimize plant performance. The work environment is fast-paced and highly safety-focused, providing variety and opportunities to learn new technical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the ethanol plant position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ethanol Plant Operator, you need a strong understanding of industrial operations, mechanical systems, and process control, often supported by a high school diploma or technical certification. Familiarity with SCADA systems, automated production equipment, and OSHA safety protocols is typically expected in this role. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are key soft skills that enhance job performance. These qualifications are crucial for ensuring efficient plant operation, safety, and maintaining product quality in a highly regulated environment.

More about Ethanol Plant jobs

What cities are hiring for Ethanol Plant jobs?

Cities with the most Ethanol Plant job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Ethanol Plant jobs?

The most popular types of Ethanol Plant jobs are:

What states have the most Ethanol Plant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Ethanol Plant jobs include:

Infographic showing various Ethanol Plant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,521 per year, or $22.4 per hour.

Ethanol Technology Manager - Cedar Rapids, IA

Archer Daniels Midland

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support plant process areas related to the production and optimization of ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, and co-products.

  • Collaborate across multiple facilities to standardize best practices, drive performance, and implement process improvements.

  • Troubleshoot process bottlenecks and support the deployment of new technologies to ensure safe, optimal, and cost-effective plant operations.


ADM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 366 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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