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Fermentation Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Archer Daniels Midland

Pilot Fermentation Engineer - Decatur, IL The Pilot Fermentation Engineer is responsible for supporting optimization projects and implementing new technologies in existing production and piloting ...

ADM

Pilot Fermentation Engineer - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL · On-site

$84K - $134K/yr

Pilot Fermentation Engineer - Decatur, ILThe Pilot Fermentation Engineer is responsible for supporting optimization projects and implementing new technologies in existing production and piloting ...

iProof

Scale-Up Engineer

Decatur, IL · On-site

Scale fermentation processes through pilot and demonstration scales to de-risk the technology ... Engineering and Equipment Integration: Collaborate with engineering teams on utility requirements ...

Archer Daniels Midland

Fermentation Scientist/Engineer - Decatur, IL ADM Research & Development This is an exempt level position. Position Summary: We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the ...

Archer Daniels Midland

We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the design, optimization, and scale-up of commercial ethanol fermentation processes. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical ...

ADM

Ethanol Support Engineer - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL · On-site

$90K - $144K/yr

We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the design, optimization, and scale-up of commercial ethanol fermentation processes. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical ...

iProof

Engineer 2, iPROOF

Decatur, IL · On-site

About the Role The Engineer 2 will support microbial fermentation and downstream processes at pilot and demonstration scales while driving process robustness, manufacturing readiness, technology ...

ADM

Ethanol Support Engineer - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL · On-site

$90K - $144K/yr

Fermentation Scientist/Engineer - Decatur, ILADM Research & DevelopmentThis is an exempt level position.Position Summary:We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the ...

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All JobsFermentation Engineer JobsFermentation Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Fermentation Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$39.7K

$107.2K

$145.8K

How much do fermentation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for fermentation engineer in Illinois is $107,235.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,700.00 and $142,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Fermentation Engineer, you need a solid background in bioprocess engineering, microbiology, and chemical engineering, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with fermentation control systems, bioreactor operation, and analytical laboratory tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you optimize processes and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital to ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality fermentation processes in industries like biotech, food, and pharmaceuticals.

What are the most common challenges faced by fermentation engineers in scaling up processes from lab to production?

Fermentation Engineers often encounter challenges when scaling up processes from laboratory to industrial scale, such as maintaining consistent product yields, ensuring robust microbial performance, and managing contamination risks. Differences in equipment, mixing, oxygen transfer, and temperature control can significantly impact the reproducibility and efficiency of fermentation. To address these challenges, engineers work closely with cross-functional teams, including microbiologists, process engineers, and quality assurance, to optimize protocols and implement rigorous monitoring systems throughout scale-up.

What does a fermentation engineer do?

A fermentation engineer uses state-of-the-art technologies to formulate new products and refine the processes used in existing ones. Your responsibilities in this career include setting up and testing a process involving a microorganism, such as a yeast or a bacterium, in a fermentor to create new products. You use biotechnology techniques like recombinant DNA technology. Your duties also involve operating sophisticated equipment, such as bioreactors or robots. You can find employment in a wide range of industries, from food production to agriculture to medical science.

What is the difference between Fermentation Engineer vs Microbiologist?

AspectFermentation EngineerMicrobiologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field; experience in fermentation processesBachelor's or higher in Microbiology, Biology, or related field; laboratory skills
Work EnvironmentIndustrial labs, manufacturing plants, R&D facilitiesResearch labs, clinical labs, academic institutions
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, biofuel productionHealthcare, research, environmental studies, food safety

Fermentation Engineers focus on designing, optimizing, and scaling fermentation processes in industrial settings, while Microbiologists primarily conduct research and analysis of microorganisms in laboratory environments. Both roles require a strong background in microbiology, but Fermentation Engineers emphasize process engineering and production, whereas Microbiologists focus on scientific study and experimentation.

More about Fermentation Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Fermentation Engineer jobs in Illinois? For Fermentation Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fermentation Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Fermentation Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Fermentation Engineer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Fermentation Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Fermentation Engineer jobs in IL? For Fermentation Engineer jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Fermentation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fermentation Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,235 per year, or $51.6 per hour.

Pilot Fermentation Engineer - Decatur, IL

Archer Daniels Midland

Decatur, IL • On-site

$84K - $134K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

ADM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 185 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 360 rated logistics

Job description


Pilot Fermentation Engineer - Decatur, IL
The Pilot Fermentation Engineer is responsible for supporting optimization projects and implementing new technologies in existing production and piloting facilities. The engineer will oversee the evaluation of alternative process configurations as well as designing and sizing of process equipment in support of bioprocessing operations. The engineer provides mass balances, PFDs, cost analysis, and supporting documentation and reports necessary for effective technology transfer. This position is expected to work across various groups including vendors, contractors, operations, and R&D.
Responsibilities:
  • The following represents the majority of the duties performed by the position, but is not meant to be all-inclusive nor prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary.
  • Complete comparisons of various bioprocessing technologies in terms of operational performance and economic feasibility.
  • Develop and test hypotheses to improve understanding of downstream strategies, yield, purity, and recovery.
  • Evaluate, optimize, and troubleshoot processes for maximum yield, purity, and activity of desired end products through the use of key performance indicators.
  • Prepare P&IDs, mass and energy balances of unit operations, and scoping and sizing of pilot equipment.
  • Work with external vendors and contractors to specify, purchase, and install equipment.
  • Commission and operate new and/or modified equipment.
  • Perform design of experiments for bench and pilot trials focused on scale-up and scale-down of bioprocessing technologies.
  • Perform research activities (small scale studies, scale-up studies, technology transfer, process development, and process derisking) to aid in the design of new processes as well as improve the performance of existing processes and facilities.
  • Provide technical support during implementation of proposed changes in the field, both at pilot and production scale, including training of plant operators and writing SOPs and batch records as needed.
  • Provide input to project onboarding and transfer to pilot decisions, with a focus on evaluating project readiness for transfer.
  • Interact with plant engineers, vendors, and contractors to set up equipment in plant as needed.
  • Support initiatives for new technology development and continuous improvement projects.
  • Apply understanding of regulatory expectations to process development strategies, contribute to process risk assessments, and justify development strategies and experimental designs.
  • Support pilot trials in existing facilities as needed.
  • Write clear, detailed reports (both technical and monthly project updates) and prepare comprehensive presentations to summarize experimental results and transfer technical knowledge to operations.
  • Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks following company procedures.
Education:
  • A Bachelor's degree in chemistry or biology related science field, or a Bachelor's degree in chemical or biological engineering is required.
  • A Master's degree is preferred.
Experience:
  • Experience in research or operations support in the food and/or chemical industry is required.
  • Proficiency with wet chemistry and standard microbiological lab techniques is required.
  • Familiarity with fermentation, biological fractionation and refining processes, enzyme assays and interpreting relevant results, and statistical analysis is required.
  • Experience with cGMP manufacturing operations and GLP principles is required.
  • Understanding of cGMP procedures and protocols is desired.
  • Experience in evaluating and/or piloting new technologies is desired.
  • Hands-on experience with quantitative determination of scalable process parameters for a range of unit operations including fermentation, flocculation, centrifugation, pressure filtration, membrane filtration, and sterile filtration is desired.
Skills:
  • Must possess well-developed analytical skills to analyze and interpret scientific data when designing and evaluating chemical and biological processes.
  • Good written and oral communication skills to communicate with managers, engineering, operations, and R&D staff (upstream process development, analytical development, etc.) via reports and presentations.
  • Strong organizational skills to manage large amounts of data and multiple projects.
  • Able to function within matrix project management environment.
  • Strong leadership skills to encourage open collaboration, provide technical expertise, and positively contribute to research teams.
  • Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Requirements:
  • Must be willing to travel.
  • Comfortable managing/participate in various projects concurrently.
  • Candidate will need to work within established company and laboratory safety guidelines.
  • Willingness to spend time in industrial environments, walk long distances, climb stairs and ladders, and move through close spaces.
Core Competencies:
  • Communication, scientific aptitude, integrity, mechanical aptitude, problem solving, ability to work independently as well as in a diverse team, detail oriented, and safety commitment.

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:109596BR
About ADM
At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We're a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world's premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.
#IncludingYou
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM's efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments - environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.
We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law
Benefits and Perks
Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:
  • Physical wellness - medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
  • Financial wellness - flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers' compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
  • Mental and social wellness - Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).
Additional benefits include:
  • Paid time off including paid holidays.
  • Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
  • Tuition assistance.
  • Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.
*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.
Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.
If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

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