Reports to

Director, Engineering

Job purpose

The Engineering Project Leader will be responsible for leadership and management of internal and external project teams to facilitate delivery of products and bring designs from small scale prototypes to large scale production environments.

Duties and responsibilities

Build strong working relationships and collaborate both internally and externally:

·         Collaborate with a team of Engineers, Operations, and Technicians in performing and coordinating the design and preparation of projects that evolve from proof of concept/prototype to production in a high-technology production agriculture setting. 

·         Gather information and data from equipment and field processes to pass along to the Operations and Biology Research/Development teams.

·         Work collaboratively with strategic equipment partners, other strategic engineering partners and with customers and their technical field teams.

·         Coordinate procurement, assist with scheduling and the development of scope of work with subcontractors, and assist in the preparation of monthly financial reporting related to engineering efforts.

·         Support timely, controlled, and compliant design changes. Participate in multi-disciplinary collaboration with equipment designers, fabricators and soft/hardware engineers, and others to pursue and achieve business objectives, on time, at cost with optimal quality. 

·         Effectively assure understandable and continuous technical communication with internal and external stakeholders. Present material in a concise and professional manner to a wide variety of individuals including customers, leadership team, co-workers, other internal or external stakeholders as needed.

·         Lead relationships with external fabricators, general contractors, and vendors to ensure equipment is built, installed, and maintained on time and to PowerPollen standards.

·         Assist in establishing protocols and participate in product qualification, contract negotiation, manufacturing processes, and production-based support documentation.

 Manage the development, implementation, and completion of complex design projects:

·         Execute high priority projects to meet functional specifications, timelines, and budget while identifying, tracking, managing, and resolving project issues.

·         Facilitate overall systems design, development, and integration of mechanical and structural systems. Progress designs all the way through detailed design, drawing generation, parts procurement, hands-on assembly, testing and integration.

·         Assures design planning, mechanical innovation, rapid prototyping, development of test plans for design validation, systems & sub-systems testing for design validation, documenting design with state-of-the-art technology.

·         Design and analyze mechanical systems and equipment.   Conduct feasibility studies and testing on new and modified designs. Ensure the designs have been validated and thoroughly documented prior to production release.

·         Coordinate implementation of new designs and develop transition plans to bridge between design revisions

·         Lead projects involving internal and external engineering, fabrication, and installation teams.

·         Manage expectations through the life of the project with documentation and communication to all stakeholders.

·         Lead efforts for customization, technology selection, or design of systems to support specific customer equipment needs.

·         Develop project value propositions and document engineering results in white papers, engineering reports, trade magazine articles, and conference papers

·         Stay up-to-date regarding your field of engineering and technology relative to agriculture, the production seed industry and PowerPollen

·         Provide guidance to team members and establish clear roles and responsibilities.

·         Understand and conform to relevant industry, customer, and PowerPollen safety standards.

 Required Skills, Knowledge

·         Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Agricultural engineering, with 10+ years experience in a technical or engineering related role, preferably in agriculture or agricultural services industry.

·         Experience leading or participating in large scale agricultural/industrial projects.

·         Experienced project manager with demonstrated product development experience. 

·         Experience managing outsource partners and activities with a focus on delivering a saleable product.

·         Engineering aptitude with solid hands-on mechanical skills, a commercial focus and knowledge of production agriculture systems.

·         Working knowledge of mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or electrical systems (including software).

·         Experience developing, simulating and validating systems for agriculture or construction machinery.

·         Aptitude for innovation and trouble-shooting.

·         Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments to complete assignments/tasks on time.

·         Ability to apply creative approaches and ideas to solve problems, maximizing the effective use of resources.

·         Action-oriented, flexible, objective and an excellent communicator able to work effectively in both a team setting and individually with limited oversight.

·         Available to travel approximately 30% of time including domestic and international travel.

·         Ability to learn data systems and work remotely using mobile devices.

 Working conditions

This position works primarily in an office, field, or fabrication shop setting, with frequent interactions in stationary and mobile labs, outdoor agricultural fields environments.

 Physical requirements

The position involves physical activity including lifting objects up to 50 pounds, walking on uneven terrain, ability to tolerate heat and humidity conditions typical of agricultural outdoor field conditions in summer, with extended hours that will vary with crop development in different locales.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Contact

PowerPollen careers: Apply today

Or Crystal Bruntz at crystal.bruntz@powerpollen.com

Reports to

Director, Engineering

Job purpose

The Design Engineer will be responsible for leading design efforts for the development of prototypes and early field testing in a high-technology R&D agriculture setting. 

Duties and responsibilities

·         Team based role representing engineering in a crop specific group that will involve brainstorming, design, testing, and biology practices/learnings

·         Utilize up-to-date engineering design technologies, tools and practices to facilitate delivery of products as well as bringing the designs from small scale prototypes to large scale production environments.

·         Support timely, controlled, and compliant design changes. Participate in multi-disciplinary collaboration with equipment designers, fabricators and software/hardware engineers, and others to pursue and achieve business objectives, on time, at cost with optimal quality. 

·         Assist in establishing protocols and participate in product qualification, manufacturing processes, and production-based support documentation.

·         Execute project development from proof of concept up to the pilot phase utilizing criteria gathered by utilizing project charters.  This includes overall systems design and drawings, development and integration of mechanical components, parts procurement, hands-on assembly, integration and testing.

·         Coordinate implementation of new designs and develop transition plans to bridge between design revisions.

·         Design and analyze mechanical systems and equipment.   Conduct feasibility studies and testing on new and modified designs. Ensure the designs have been validated and thoroughly documented prior to production release.

·         Assure understandable and continuous technical communication with internal and external stakeholders. Present material in a concise and professional manner to a wide variety of individuals including customers, leadership team, co-workers, other internal or external stakeholders as needed.

·         Assess and effectively understand the opportunities and challenges for technical success in new environments and facilities and help estimate timeline and cost while working to customize design solutions for specific field and/or customer situations and conditions. 

·         Work collaboratively with strategic equipment partners, with internal customers and their technical field teams.

·         Lead relationships with external fabricators and vendors to ensure equipment is built, installed, or created to PowerPollen standards.

·         Understand and conform to relevant industry, customer and PowerPollen safety standards.

·         Stay up-to-date regarding your field of engineering and technology relative to agriculture, the production seed industry and PowerPollen.

 Required Skills, Knowledge

·         Experience participating in agricultural/industrial projects.

·         Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Agricultural, or Industrial Engineering

·         1 – 3 years experience in a technical or engineering related role, preferably in agriculture or agricultural services industry.

·         Engineering aptitude with solid hands-on mechanical skills, an R&D focus and knowledge of production agriculture systems.

·         Demonstrated prior small project management experience.

·         Aptitude for using 3D modeling software with experience in SolidWorks preferred.

·         Working knowledge of mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or electrical systems.

·         Experience developing, simulating and validating systems for agriculture or construction machinery.

·         Aptitude for innovation and troubleshooting.

·         Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments to complete assignments/tasks on time.

·         Ability to apply creative approaches and ideas to solve problems, maximizing the effective use of resources.

·         Action-oriented, flexible, objective and an excellent communicator able to work effectively in both a team setting and individually with limited oversight.

·         Available to travel approximately 30-40% of time including domestic and international travel.

·         Ability to learn data systems and work remotely using mobile devices.

·         Can lift 50 lbs. or more on an intermittent basis.

 Working conditions

 The position involves physical activity including lifting objects up to 50 pounds, walking on uneven terrain, ability to tolerate heat and humidity conditions typical of agricultural outdoor field conditions in summer, with extended hours that will vary with crop development in different locales.

 All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status)

 Contact

PowerPollen careers:

https://www.powerpollen.com/job-1

Or Crystal Bruntz at crystal.bruntz@powerpollen.com

As an Operations Intern for PowerPollen®, the primary responsibility will be to assist in effectively managing field operations and relationships for key accounts and local research activities. We are seeking highly innovative team members, that have a willingness to adapt to changing work conditions, have a strong aptitude for problem solving and are comfortable working independently or as a collaborator with high-performance teams. Individuals should possess strong organizational skills and be self-motivated with a positive attitude.

Responsibilities:

·   Supports the maintenance of trusted relationships with customers to better understand their needs and manage expectations.

·   Logistics planning and support in seed production opportunities.

·   Prepare mobile laboratories and machinery for in season efforts.

·   Performs pollen collection and application in commercial fields.

·   Field scouting for pollen shed and silk growth.

·   Sample collection and processing for pollination prediction.

·   Operate and maintain field machinery as necessary.

·   Keep a detailed record of activities and produce reports and data summaries.

·   Drive company owned and leased vehicles safely, potentially assigned to tow/haul.

·   Become familiar with and follow all safety and process protocols and encourage others to do the same.

·   Assist with training of short-term seasonal workers.

Requirements:

·   2+ years college level academics preferably agriculture, biology, or engineering related.

·   Familiarity with the seasonality of agriculture and commit to working the in-season time requirements including long days and weekends (typically July & August).

·   Capable and interested in working in fast-paced and diverse environments that includes warehouse, indoor lab conditions and outdoor agricultural field conditions including high heat & humidity, insect exposure, uneven terrains, narrow and sight limited workspaces all with active agricultural equipment in operation.

·   Willing to travel as needed (primarily Midwestern US).

·   Willingness to cross-train for other jobs within the organization as needed.

·   Ability to walk, stand or sit for prolonged periods.

·   Ability to drive field / off-road vehicles for prolonged periods.

·   Able to maintain confidentiality and protection of PowerPollen critical and proprietary assets including systems, equipment, and knowledge.

·   Strong aptitude to adhere to and precisely follow written SOPs in a field environment.

·   Valid driver’s license with good driving record

·   Prior farm, field or agricultural work a plus

·   Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

·   Ability to speak Spanish is a plus but not required

 Contact

PowerPollen careers: Apply today

Or Crystal Bruntz at crystal.bruntz@powerpollen.com

PowerPollen® is an equal opportunity employer.

We are seeking seasonal interns who are highly organized with a strong aptitude for problem solving and innovation. Outside the box thinking is encouraged for this role. If you are self-motivated and comfortable working independently and as a collaborator within a high-performance team you will excel in our company.  Willingness to adapt to changing work conditions and being a self-starter with a positive attitude are attributes of successful PowerPollen team members. 

As a Biology Intern for PowerPollen®, role responsibilities will be to actively support both large- and small-scale research and development work in the laboratory, greenhouse, and several research sites within the US. Daily R&D support activities could include laboratory upkeep and preparation of reagents, field set up, assisting with experimental planning and design, experimental execution, and data collection. This development work is designed to enable data driven decisions for process and technology enhancements moving into the field production season. During the production season, this role will support a fast paced, high throughput/large scale pollen preservation, and field application. 

Field, Laboratory, and Greenhouse Responsibilities:

·   Provide support for greenhouse, field, and laboratory experiments including developing, refining, and following protocols, care of plant material, sample collection, harvesting of ears, and data collection

·   Utilize best practice laboratory, greenhouse, and field skills

·   Read, understand, and accurately execute experimental protocols and methods

•  Keep a detailed record of activities and process modifications

• Be experienced with, or willing to learn Microsoft Excel.

• Prepare and be able to communicate summer field and lab observations, improvement opportunities, key area of accountability in an internship overview to company leadership.  

• Be engaged and willing to learn new skills

• Become familiar with and follow all safety protocols and encourage others to do the same
• Driving company owned and leased vehicles safely, potentially assigned to tow/haul

Requirements:

• 2+ years college level academics in: Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Biology, Ag Systems Tech, Biology
• Familiarity with the seasonality of agriculture and commitment to the in-season time requirements including long days and weekends (typically July 1st thru mid-August)

• Willing to travel to support/perform research and production activities
• Capable and interested in working in fast-paced and diverse environments that includes indoor lab conditions and outdoor agricultural field conditions including high heat and humidity, insect exposure, uneven terrains, and narrow and sight limited workspaces while active agricultural equipment is in operation
• Willingness to cross-train for other jobs within the organization as needed
• Ability to walk, stand or sit for prolonged periods
• Ability and desire to drive off-road vehicles and haul trailers
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protection of PowerPollen critical and proprietary assets including systems, equipment and knowledge
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record
• Prior farm, field or agricultural work a plus
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

 Contact

PowerPollen careers: Apply today

Or Crystal Bruntz at crystal.bruntz@powerpollen.com

PowerPollen® is an equal opportunity employer.

We are constantly growing and looking for exceptional talent to join our team.

We know that the best people don't always look for a job when a job is looking for them. If you are passionate about agriculture and what we’re doing, we encourage you to submit your application.

Apply today