Engineering

Engineer Position
ADM offers a bright future and tremendous opportunity for talented individuals who are ready to join our team and make a contribution to our dynamic business.
ADM recruits engineers in a variety of disciplines; including
• Agricultural,
• Chemical,
• Civil/Structural,
• Environmental,
• Manufacturing,
• Research and Process Development,
• Safety,
• Technical Sales Support, and
• Quality Assurance/Food Safety.

ADM engineers work closely with one another, depending upon each other to build the success of one of the top agricultural processing companies in the world.

Entry-level positions begin at the heart of our company, in one of our many U.S. or international processing plants. Intensive, first-hand experience helps you develop your engineering skills quickly.

Requirements
A college degree in chemical or agricultural engineering is preferred, with additional openings for individuals with degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and environmental engineering.

Production Engineer (entry-level)
The typical career path for an engineer begins as a production engineer. This position provides an opportunity for new hires to join a plant management team, starting in soybean crushing or corn wet-milling facilities, with the possibility of moving to a multitude of plants that produce baking ingredients, pasta, cocoa, gums, sweeteners, ethanol, vitamins or oils.

Recent engineering graduates are assigned to a production unit where they gain first-hand exposure in how to lead employees, trouble-shoot equipment and deal with the myriad of challenges that routinely arise in facilities that often operate around the clock, 365 days per year. Some of our Midwest plants are unionized, and production engineers also gain experience in dealing with labor contract issues.

The entry-level, on-the-job experience begins with observing an experienced engineer at work and typically progresses to full responsibility for supervising a work group on rotating shifts during the first year. This experience is invaluable in providing first-hand knowledge of the plant, processes, products and employees here at ADM.

Specifics
A production engineer’s job is comprised of three primary components: exposure to management-level issues, supervisory responsibility and application of engineering expertise.  Early in their assignment, production engineers see how different members of the management team use their leadership styles to address various situations.

Production engineers also gain an appreciation for keeping an eye on the “big picture” while addressing tactical projects. After being assigned to lead a work group of their own, they have an opportunity to apply their own leadership approach.Within a matter of months, production engineers are assigned to supervise a work group of hourly employees who operate a production unit on shift. In this assignment, they will likely work rotating shifts, so they need to be willing to work any hours of the day and on weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities include assuring that the jobs on the shift are covered, that employees are adequately trained to perform their assigned work, that all work is performed safely and that customers’ needs are met through production of a high volume of quality products. Production engineers also maintain records and deal with employee performance issues.

Production engineers monitor production processes and equipment, solve production problems and provide input to process improvements. Involvement might include sizing of equipment, identifying equipment capacity requirements, developing process control systems or increasing efficiencies of the flow of fluid materials. They are exposed to installation and start up of new equipment and modification of existing equipment.

The work takes place in complex processing plants and can be physically demanding at times. Production engineers must be capable of climbing ladders, riding a belt lift and entering confined spaces such as tanks and vessels. 

Future assignments
Production engineering experience provides an outstanding foundation on which to build a career. After a year or so as a production engineer, employees advance to opportunities as process engineers, project engineers and operations managers. These assignments involve increasing responsibility and the rewards that go along with it. Opportunities may involve transfers to various locations in the company, so it’s important to be open to relocation, including international opportunities for those who are qualified and so inclined.

Requirements
Successful candidates for entry-level positions will be those who graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical, mechanical, electrical, agricultural or biological engineering and preferably with a minimum GPA of 2.75.

Internship
Engineering interns, usually employed in the summer between their junior and senior years in college, are typically assigned to a production unit in either a soybean crushing or corn wet-milling facility in the U.S. Midwest. They gain first-hand exposure to leadership of employees, equipment trouble-shooting and dealing with everyday engineering challenges. This experience is invaluable in providing first-hand, real-world knowledge of ADM’s plant processes, products and employees.

The internship program promotes development while providing a training ground for potential future employees. It consists of four key components: management exposure, project management, application of engineering expertise and creating a safe work environment. As is true for entry-level engineers, interns’ work may be physically demanding.

Internships begin with a kick-off orientation and wrap up at summer’s end with a final program. Employment interviews are completed before returning to school, bringing closure to the internship experience.
 
Requirements
Candidates should be studying chemical, agricultural, mechanical or electrical engineering, with a minimum GPA of 2.75.