1

Technical Director Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

The position will report to the Technical Director - Ethanol Research Support.Job Responsibilities:Provide value to ADM business units through research support of ethanol operations.Collaborate with ...

Maintain technical expertise through ongoing Continuing Professional Education (CPE), ensuring compliance and staying ahead of industry trends and regulatory changes * Drive thought leadership by ...

Embalmer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Current Illinois Funeral Director/Embalmer License or the ability to reciprocate * 1+ years of funeral industry experience demonstrating professionalism, compassion, and technical skill. We offer a s ...

Embalmer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Current Illinois Funeral Director/Embalmer License or the ability to reciprocate * 1+ years of funeral industry experience demonstrating professionalism, compassion, and technical skill. We offer a s ...

Embalmer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Current Illinois Funeral Director/Embalmer License or the ability to reciprocate * 1+ years of funeral industry experience demonstrating professionalism, compassion, and technical skill. We offer a s ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Technical Director information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$25.2K

$112K

$225K

How much do technical director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for technical director in Decatur, IL is $112,041.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,000.00 and $149,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a technical director?

Technical Directors are senior-level professionals responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of a project, production, or organization. They coordinate teams, manage technical resources, and ensure that all technical requirements are met efficiently and effectively. Technical Directors often work in industries such as film, television, theater, software development, and live events, providing leadership and strategic direction to deliver high-quality results. Their role involves problem-solving, decision-making, and collaborating closely with other departments to achieve the project's goals.

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

To thrive as a Technical Director, you need deep expertise in your technical field, strong leadership abilities, and often a degree in engineering, computer science, or a related discipline. Familiarity with project management software, industry-standard design or development tools, and relevant certifications like PMP or Agile are highly valuable. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and team management skills set standout Technical Directors apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial for guiding complex projects, aligning technical teams, and ensuring successful delivery of organizational objectives.

What are some common challenges technical directors face when leading cross-functional teams?

Technical Directors often oversee teams composed of professionals from various disciplines, such as developers, designers, and engineers. Balancing the diverse perspectives and ensuring clear communication between these groups can be challenging, especially when deadlines are tight or project requirements change. Successful Technical Directors foster collaboration by setting clear expectations, facilitating open dialogue, and aligning everyone toward common technical and business goals. This role requires strong leadership and adaptability to quickly address issues and keep projects on track.

Are technical directors in high demand?

Technical directors are in high demand across industries such as film, television, theater, and live events due to their expertise in managing technical teams and equipment. The demand is driven by the need for skilled professionals who can oversee complex productions and ensure technical quality, often requiring strong leadership, technical skills, and relevant certifications. Job prospects are generally favorable, especially for those with experience in emerging technologies like digital media and automation.

What does a technical director do?

A technical director oversees the technical aspects of a project or organization, managing technical teams, ensuring the implementation of technical standards, and coordinating between departments. They often work with engineers, designers, and producers to ensure technical requirements are met on time and within budget, using tools like project management software and technical specifications. Strong leadership, communication skills, and technical expertise are essential for this role.

What does a technical director make?

A technical director's salary varies depending on industry, experience, and location, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. They oversee technical aspects of projects, manage teams, and ensure technical standards are met, often requiring strong leadership and technical skills. Compensation may include benefits and bonuses based on company size and scope of responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Technical jobs in Decatur, IL?

The most popular types of Technical jobs in Decatur, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Technical Director jobs in Decatur, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Technical Director jobs in Decatur, IL are:

What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Technical Director jobs?

Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Technical Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Technical Director job openings in Decatur, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,041 per year, or $53.9 per hour.

Ethanol Support Engineer - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL


ADM
Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

75th of 366 rated logistics

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks


Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Ethanol Support 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 design, optimization, and scale-up of commercial ethanol fermentation processes. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical expert with deep industry experience and a proven ability to translate bench-scale innovation into full-scale production success. This role will drive process improvements, troubleshoot complex challenges, and guide cross-functional teams in delivering high-impact results. The successful candidate will combine strong scientific and analytical skills with strategic project management and clear communication, ensuring research initiatives align with business objectives and deliver measurable value.  The position will report to the Technical Director - Ethanol Research Support.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Provide value to ADM business units through research support of ethanol operations.
  • Collaborate with commercial and operational stakeholders to identify opportunities that add value through development and deployment of new technologies and process optimizations.
  • Create, evaluate and support deployment of new technologies and process optimizations at ethanol facilities.
  • 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, and developing recommendations for solving fermentation issues.
  • Manage ethanol process optimization projects, and communicate outcomes and recommendations to plant operations and research team members.
Job Requirements:
These skills and experience will be required or useful for the candidate.
  • Education & Experience: PhD with 3+ years, MS with 10+ years, or BS with 15+ years of experience in fermentation science (microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemical engineering, or related disciplines).
  • Industry Expertise: 10+ years of hands-on experience in commercial or pilot-scale fermentation operations, or in a collaborative role supporting active fermentation facilities. Specific experience in industrial ethanol fermentations is highly preferred.
  • Technical Excellence: Proven ability to troubleshoot, optimize, and scale fermentation processes. Skill in working with industrial isolates of yeast is essential; additional fermentation experience with bacteria and fungi is a plus.
  • Leadership & Innovation: Recognized subject matter expert in commercial-scale ethanol fermentation design and optimization; capable of leading research initiatives from concept through implementation.
  • Project Management: Strong track record of managing complex projects-defining timelines, aligning objectives, and developing financial models to support recommendations.
  • Results Delivery: Demonstrated success in achieving project goals and clearly communicating outcomes to stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
  • Analytical Skills: Experienced in interpreting experimental data and developing protocols to support scale-up or scale-down of new technologies.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Excellent communicator with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical teams; thrives in multidisciplinary, cross-functional environments.
  • Technical Tools: Proficient in Microsoft Excel; experience with statistical software (e.g., JMP, Minitab) and OSI PI preferred.
  • Additional Expertise: Knowledge of enzyme technology and development is a plus.
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:105754BR


What ADM employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom