Utilities Engineer

At Novonesis, we believe solutions rooted in biology can help solve some of the world's biggest challenges. Join our Blair, Nebraska team as a Utilities Engineer and play a critical role in ensuring reliable, efficient, and sustainable utilities operations that support manufacturing performance.

About the Role

As a Utilities Engineer, you will optimize utilities systems and processes to ensure reliable delivery of critical services including steam, cooling water, chilled water, compressed air, and wastewater treatment. This role combines technical expertise, operational support, project leadership, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective production and distribution of plant utilities.
• Monitor, analyze, and improve utilities system performance, including energy, cost, capacity, and uptime metrics.
• Lead troubleshooting activities for utilities equipment, processes, and control systems.
• Drive operational excellence through process optimization, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and data analysis tools.
• Sponsor and support capital projects, equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and technology implementations.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, training materials, and operational best practices.
• Coordinate reliability and maintenance improvement activities for utilities systems.
• Support environmental compliance, wastewater reporting, and sustainability initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and training to operators and other plant personnel.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute process changes, MOCs, and continuous improvement projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting industrial utilities systems, manufacturing operations, maintenance, process engineering, or related technical environments.
• Knowledge of utilities systems such as steam generation, cooling systems, compressed air, water systems, and wastewater treatment.
• Experience troubleshooting process equipment and automated control systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret process data and performance trends.
• Proficiency using data analysis tools, process monitoring systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to develop technical documentation, reports, SOPs, and training materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Skills

• Safety-first mindset.
• Continuous improvement orientation.
• Technical curiosity and learning agility.
• Effective stakeholder collaboration.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Additional Skills We Value

• Experience with PI systems, Datalink tools, Onics, or similar industrial data platforms.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or statistical process analysis methodologies.
• Experience leading capital projects or equipment modifications.
• Familiarity with GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of food, feed, or biotechnology manufacturing operations.
• Experience supporting environmental compliance programs and sustainability initiatives.
• Exposure to utility automation systems and process control improvements.

Benefits

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
• Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
• Healthcare savings account option
• Employee assistance program
• Parental leave
• All benefits begin on your first day

Pay

Expected salary range: $70k to $90k

Schedule

• Primarily site-based at our Blair, Nebraska manufacturing facility.
• Frequent interaction with production and utilities systems throughout the plant.
• Ability to move throughout the manufacturing environment, including climbing stairs and ladders and entering tanks when necessary.
• Must possess the visual acuity and physical capability required to support all aspects of the role safely.
• Participation in project support, maintenance activities, and operational troubleshooting as needed.
• Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required to support critical operations, projects, or plant needs.

About Us

At Novonesis, you'll have the opportunity to make a measurable impact on manufacturing performance while working with talented colleagues across engineering, operations, maintenance, and environmental functions. We offer a collaborative and innovative work environment with opportunities to lead impactful improvement and capital projects, extensive professional and technical development, and exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies and processes. Our purpose-driven culture focuses on sustainability, safety, and continuous improvement, contributing to solutions powered by biology for a better world.