About the role#
As a Pilot Plant Engineer Intern, you will gain hands-on experience by working directly with our fermentation, recovery, and formulation processes. You will collaborate with Research and Development scientists and Production engineers to optimize methods, increase yields, and reduce cycle times. This role involves documenting experiments, writing project charters, and managing method transfers to production while maintaining a focus on safety and environmental impact.
What you'll do#
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and improve fermentation, recovery, and formulation processes.
- Set up and monitor pilot-scale fermenters and downstream process unit operations.
- Perform heat and mass balance calculations and mathematical modeling of metabolism and fermentation.
- Analyze, summarize, and present pilot data to Research and Production teams.
- Recommend and implement process improvement ideas for production.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a degree program for bioengineering, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, biology, chemical engineering, or a related field.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong computer skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Flexibility to work limited off-shift and weekend hours to support production schedules.
Location & details#
- Location: Osage, Iowa.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment Type: Full-time.
- Term: Rolling.
About Valent U.S.A. LLC
Valent U.S.A. LLC develops and markets crop protection and pest management products. The company operates as a subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Company. It serves agricultural and horticultural markets across North America. Founded in 1988, the firm maintains a staff of 331 employees.
How to get in at Valent U.S.A. LLC
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at Valent U.S.A. LLC because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting your resume to an overflowing inbox. You can also reach out to the recruiters behind the company's roles to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves response rates. Intern Insider surfaces these specific contacts so you can connect directly rather than waiting for a system update. Reaching out to a person is often the most effective way to stand out in a competitive process.


