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POET

Bioethanol production and bioproducts producer.

Instrumentation and Electrical Technician

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/21/2026
No salary listed
Mid
Associate's
Fairmont, NE, USA
In Person
General Maintenance & RepairEquipment Maintenance

About the job

Requirements
  • An Associate’s degree in an electrical training program or equivalent is required.
  • A journeyman or master license is preferred and may be required depending on the location.
  • Thorough knowledge of standard electrical equipment and work practices is required.
  • Ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and install 4160V, 480V, 220V, and 110V motors and breakers, protective relays, programmable logic controllers, transformers, motor control centers, lights, panels, and other electrical equipment applicable to the work location.
  • Ability to troubleshoot programmable logic controller/distributed control system input/output, including 4-20 mA loops and 120V/24V DC input/output.
  • Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new programs.
  • Ability to read and translate programmable logic controller code, schematic wiring, ladder diagrams, and process and instrumentation diagrams.
  • Industrial network experience.
  • One to three years of related work experience.
  • Experience with three-phase electrical systems up to 4160V.
  • Ability to lift up to 60 pounds occasionally, climb stairs and ladders, open valves, bend and twist while lifting loads under 50 pounds, perform seated data entry for over an hour, walk two or more miles per day, push brooms and shovels, work at heights and in confined spaces and at temperatures from -20 to +100 degrees, stand for extended periods, and use personal protective equipment and hand and power tools.
  • Must pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen and be subject to random drug and alcohol testing during employment.
Responsibilities
  • Troubleshoot and identify root causes; repair or replace parts; and rewire and install instrumentation and electrical equipment, including conduit and wiring.
  • Complete all work in accordance with local electrical codes, including applicable 4160V, 480V, 220V, 110V, 24V DC, and 4-20 mA loops and circuits.
  • Troubleshoot programmable logic controller/distributed control system input/output, including 4-20 mA loops and 120V/24V DC input/output.
  • Perform preventative and proactive electrical maintenance and compliance procedures.
  • Assist with emergency and scheduled shutdowns and perform regular mechanical duties as directed.
  • Calibrate, configure, and repair flow, level, pressure, temperature, and pH measurement and control instruments, including associated valves and valve actuators.
  • Understand electrical and instrumentation equipment associated with plant processing equipment, and motor control circuits and electric motors.
  • Inform management of instrumentation and electrical parts needed and assist in maintaining required inventories.
  • Document work using inventory control systems, maintain calibration records, order parts, and work with outside contractors.
  • Work with management and staff daily to ensure the operation and facilities meet standards.
  • Understand how equipment and instrument and electronic controls operate and are used to operate the plant.
  • Maintain work-area cleanliness and serviceability and account for tools and supplies.
  • Complete other assigned tasks, work orders, cleaning assignments, and duties.
  • Assist in developing, training, and reviewing instrumentation and electrical programs and procedures, including arc flash hazards and electrical integrity.
  • Maintain licensing by attending state-required code classes as required by the location or leader.
  • Respond to after-hours calls, including weekends and holidays, when emergencies require instrumentation or electrical expertise.
  • Promote safe behavior, environmental compliance, food safety, and product and process quality.
  • Meet call-in requirements as needed for continuous plant operations.
Desired Qualifications
  • Journeyman or master license.

About the company

POET produces bioethanol, distillers grains, and other eco-friendly bioproducts to power sustainable fuels and animal feed. Its bioethanol comes from fermenting corn into ethanol, while the co-products, like distillers grains, are sold to farmers, livestock producers, and industries seeking low-emission options. The process relies on bioprocessing facilities that convert corn into fuel and by-products, with a focus on higher ethanol blends to expand market adoption. POET differentiates itself through large-scale grain-based biofuel production, a wide portfolio of bioproducts, and a strong emphasis on supporting agriculture, rural jobs, and local economic development. The company's goal is to reduce emissions and promote sustainability by expanding bioethanol use and creating value from corn.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Late Stage VC

Total Funding

$53.8M

Headquarters

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Founded

1983

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • October 1, 2026 Houston bunkering opens a global shipping market beyond road fuel.
  • Antora's 5-gigawatt-hour system should boost Big Stone output and corn demand in 2026.
  • CF Industries pilot with WinField and NuWay-K&H cuts ethanol carbon intensity in 2026.

What critics are saying

  • March 2026 POET sued Wabash County, blocking carbon-capture timelines and spending.
  • September 2026 Iowa defamation threats over Shell Rock pollution keep reputational damage active.
  • A federal E15 rollback would strand POET's plants and collapse corn demand.

What makes POET unique

  • POET's May 19, 2026 Antora project locks cheap round-the-clock power at Big Stone.
  • September 28, 2026 Maersk bunkering proved American ethanol can enter maritime fuel supply.
  • POET operates 35 plants and sells co-products to farmers, livestock, and industry.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Profit Sharing

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

7%

1 year growth

7%

2 year growth

7%
The Public Opinion
Oct 1st, 2026
Sioux Falls' POET becomes 1st to supply U.S. ship with 100% bioethanol.

Sioux Falls' POET becomes 1st to supply U.S. ship with 100% bioethanol. Sioux Falls Argus Leader Oct. 1, 2026, 10:38 a.m. CT * Biofuels producer POET supplied 100% bioethanol for a U.S. ship-fueling operation in Houston. * The project was a partnership between POET, shipping company Maersk, and several other entities. * The successful demonstration could open a new global market for U.S.-made, corn-based ethanol. Sioux Falls-based biofuels producer POET has supplied plant-based fuel for what is being called the first U.S. operation to fuel a ship with 100% bioethanol, according to a Sept. 28 news release. The fueling operation took place in Houston in partnership with one of the world's largest maritime shipping companies, A.P. Moller-Maersk. The project highlights the potential for U.S.-made bioethanol to become a larger part of the shipping industry's effort to reduce emissions, according to POET's press release. In addition to Maersk providing the vessel, the project involved Kirby Corporation, which helped transport the fuel and support the ship-fueling operation; the Port of Houston, which provided coordination and infrastructure; and the United States Coast Guard, which assisted with regulatory requirements. The operation builds on Maersk's previous testing of bioethanol in ships designed to run on more than one type of fuel and illustrates how ethanol could become another lower-emission fuel option for the maritime industry. "Bioethanol has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the future energy mix for shipping," said Emma Mazhari, Maersk's Vice President Energy Markets. "[Bioethanol] can offer another scalable, lower-emission fuel option and greater flexibility in how the maritime industry approaches its transition to lower-carbon fuels. This operation with POET is an important step in exploring how bioethanol can be incorporated into marine-fuel supply chains in the United States." POET, described as the world's largest bioethanol producer and 11th-largest U.S. container exporter, produces more than 3 billion gallons of bioethanol annually at 35 bioprocessing facilities across the country, each with an annual impact of $200 million on the local economy, according to the organization's website. "Seeing American-made bioethanol move from the farm to a container ship in one of the nation's largest ports is an exciting moment for our industry," said Jeff Broin, Founder and CEO of POET. "Bioethanol is an abundant, affordable and clean option for the marine sector. It demonstrates what is possible when partners across the value chain work together to open new markets for American agriculture." POET said the marine-fuel demonstration could create additional demand for corn-based ethanol by opening a potential new market beyond transportation fuels used on roads. Since 1987, POET has continued to promote bioethanol use in a variety of applications, including automotive racing, aviation and marine transportation. The company said the successful bunkering demonstrates that bioethanol can move beyond road fuels and into global shipping markets. "Bioethanol has spent decades proving itself as a reliable, scalable fuel in the world's largest transportation market," Broin said. "Now we have an opportunity to take that same American-made fuel into a global maritime market." Over the last century, people worldwide have relied on petroleum fuel and other products. POET wants to change that by creating more sustainable alternatives by harnessing the agriculture industry and renewable resources. For South Dakota, the development could have implications beyond shipping. If ethanol gains traction as a marine fuel, it could increase demand for corn-based ethanol, creating a potential new market for farmers and biofuel producers such as POET. "As the world looks for practical ways to reduce the carbon intensity and cost of transportation, we should be looking at every technology and every market where bioethanol can deliver value," Broin said. "American agriculture is ready to help power that future." Vanessa Carlson Bender is the Development and Public Health Reporter at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Reach her at [email protected]. Deal of the Day Recommendations are independently chosen by its editors. Purchases you make through its links may earn The Public Opinion a commission.

South Dakota Hall of Fame
Aug 8th, 2026
South Dakota Hall of Fame receives POET grant.

South Dakota Hall of Fame receives POET grant. The South Dakota Hall of Fame is honored to have been awarded a Community Impact Grant from POET, the world's largest producer of biofuel and a global leader in sustainable bioproducts. The POET Community Impact Grant is a one-time grant, designed to support local nonprofits, schools, churches, earth-friendly groups, and individuals committed to leading projects that will benefit their communities. The grant will support the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Dignity of Earth & Sky sculpture, taking place Sunday, September 20. The celebration honors community and children by bringing people together to celebrate culture, heritage, and shared values, with space intentionally created for youth recognition and engagement. August 8, 2026

Metric Media LLC
Jun 12th, 2026
POET Bioprocessing awards City of Marion $3,000 community grant for Rec Center scholarships.

POET Bioprocessing awards City of Marion $3,000 community grant for Rec Center scholarships. The City of Marion announced on June 12 that it received a $3,000 grant from POET Bioprocessing to support free scholarships at the Rec Center. The funding will be used to help sustain operations and ensure that the Rec Center remains free for all teens. A statement from city officials said, "We are so thankful for POET Bioprocessing awarding the City of Marion $3,000 in grant funding to support free scholarships at the Rec Center. This funding will go towards sustaining operations to enable the Rec to stay free for all teens!" Officials also emphasized the importance of local partnerships in supporting community initiatives, saying, "Community partnerships like this are why we Love Our City!" No additional background information was provided about POET Bioprocessing or further details on how the scholarship program operates. The city has not yet announced when applications for these scholarships will open or how teens can apply.

Associated Press
May 19th, 2026
World's largest thermal energy storage plant launches in South Dakota

POET has partnered with Antora Energy to launch a 5-gigawatt-hour thermal energy storage facility in Big Stone City, South Dakota, making it among the world's largest energy storage plants. The system stores excess wind energy in carbon blocks heated to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can later power POET's adjacent ethanol plant. The facility, Antora's first commercial production site, was built in under a year and supported 300 construction jobs. It aims to increase ethanol production efficiency, expand markets for South Dakota corn growers, and reduce fossil fuel reliance. The project received bipartisan support and was funded primarily through private investment led by Grok Ventures. The plant is already providing power to POET's facility, which produces 92 million gallons of ethanol annually, and should be fully operational by October.

Business Wire
May 19th, 2026
POET and Antora commission 5GWh thermal battery to power South Dakota biofuel plant

POET, the world's largest biofuels producer, and Antora Energy have commissioned a 5 gigawatt-hour thermal energy storage system at POET's Big Stone City, South Dakota facility. The project advanced from construction to delivering energy in under 12 months and ranks among the world's largest energy storage projects by capacity. Antora's thermal batteries store electricity as heat in carbon blocks, providing POET with around-the-clock energy under a long-term agreement. The system enables increased bioethanol production and creates tens of millions of dollars annually in new market opportunities for South Dakota farmers. The project supported over 300 manufacturing and construction jobs across South Dakota and California. Grok Ventures provided project-level financing as the sole external investor. The system will be fully operational later this year.