Principal Wastewater Engineer

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

About the role

Are you passionate about solving complex environmental and wastewater challenges while influencing operations across an entire manufacturing network? As a key member of the Corporate Environmental Health & Safety team, this role serves as the company's technical wastewater expert, partnering with plant operations, engineering, environmental professionals, regulators, consultants, and business leaders to ensure wastewater treatment systems operate efficiently, sustainably, and in full compliance with regulatory requirements.

This position is based in Arden Hills, MN and requires approximately 50% travel to Land O'Lakes facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and support for wastewater treatment operations across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Ensure compliance with wastewater permits, discharge agreements, sludge management requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Establish and manage wastewater performance metrics, scorecards, reporting systems, and leading indicators.
• Develop and maintain wastewater operational standards, SOPs, playbooks, best practices, and emergency response procedures.
• Analyze operational and laboratory data to identify trends, optimize process performance, and proactively address treatment challenges.
• Provide onsite technical support during wastewater treatment upsets and lead root cause investigations.
• Support wastewater-related capital projects including design review, construction, startup, commissioning, and training.
• Develop and implement Wastewater Management of Change (WWMOC) processes.
• Identify long-term wastewater treatment capacity constraints, compliance risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and deliver wastewater training programs and facilitate network-wide operator meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental, Chemical, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 7+ years of industrial wastewater treatment experience.
• Food, dairy, agricultural, or industrial manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting multi-site or corporate environmental programs.
• Experience with WWTP operations, optimization, and capital projects.

Skills

• Strong technical expertise in industrial wastewater treatment and environmental regulations.
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and risk management capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related discipline.
• Knowledge of POTW discharge programs and high-strength waste management.
• PE license or wastewater operator certifications.

Pay

Salary Range: $107,680 - $161,520. In most cases, candidates offered employment expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges.

Benefits

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best.