Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Career Overview

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

Also Known As

• Analytical Research Program Manager
• Biodiesel Division Manager
• Laboratory Manager (Lab Manager)
• Project Development Director

Alternate Job Titles

• Analytical Research Program Manager
• Biodiesel Division Manager
• Biodiesel Engineering Manager
• Biodiesel Product Development Manager
• Biodiesel Product Manager
• Biodiesel Technology Development Manager
• Biodiesel Technology Manager
• Biofuels Engineering Manager
• Biofuels Manager
• Biofuels Product Development Manager
• Biofuels Product Manager
• Biofuels Technology Development Manager
• Biofuels Technology Manager
• Business Development and New Technology Manager
• Fermentation Manager

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Design or conduct applied biodiesel or biofuels research projects on topics, such as transport, thermodynamics, mixing, filtration, distillation, fermentation, extraction, and separation.
• Analyze data from biofuels studies, such as fluid dynamics, water treatments, or solvent extraction and recovery processes.
• Prepare, or oversee the preparation of, experimental plans for biofuels research or development.
• Provide technical or scientific guidance to technical staff in the conduct of biofuels research or development.
• Propose new biofuels products, processes, technologies or applications based on findings from applied biofuels or biomass research projects.
• Conduct experiments on biomass or pretreatment technologies.
• Prepare biofuels research and development reports for senior management or technical professionals.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• English Language
• Chemistry
• Engineering and Technology
• Mathematics

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Writing
3. Speaking
4. Critical Thinking
5. Complex Problem Solving
6. Judgment and Decision Making
7. Systems Analysis

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Information Ordering
• Oral Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Selective Attention
• Originality

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Achievement
• Working Conditions
• Independence
• Recognition
• Support

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Illustrator
• Epic Systems
• Linux
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services SSIS
• Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS

Tools & Equipment

• Absorption equipment
• Autosamplers
• Bioreactors
• Biosafety cabinets
• Desktop computers
• Dissolved oxygen monitors
• Distillation equipment
• Extraction equipment
• Fermentation systems
• Flocculators
• Flow indicators
• Forced convection incubators
• Gas chromatograph mass spectrometers GC-MS
• Gas chromatographs GC
• Gel electrophoresis equipment

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
• Freedom to Make Decisions
• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Salary & Job Market

Wages reported for the broader Architectural and Engineering Managers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers.

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$111,450
Median	$167,740
Top Earners (90th percentile)	>$239,200

Workers Employed Nationally: 210,340

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.