Occupation · SOC 11-9041.01
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,181 mapped
Core skills
WritingSystems AnalysisSpeakingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationActive ListeningTime ManagementMonitoringCoordinationActive LearningScienceQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesPersuasionOperations MonitoringInstructingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationNegotiationLearning StrategiesOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignTroubleshootingProgrammingManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesRepairingEquipment MaintenanceInstallation
Knowledge areas
English LanguageChemistryEngineering and TechnologyMathematicsProduction and ProcessingComputers and ElectronicsMechanicalAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServicePhysicsPublic Safety and SecurityBiologyBuilding and ConstructionDesignEducation and TrainingAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentTransportationGeographyTelecommunicationsPsychologyFood ProductionSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Ab InitioAdobe IllustratorAgilent ChemStationComputer aided design CAD softwareDassault Systemes CATIAEmail softwareEpic SystemsFleet Asset Management and Optimization Solutions FAMOS PEPSEFormula translation/translator FORTRANFund accounting softwareGE Energy GateCycleLinuxMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Great Plains Personal Data KeeperMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL Server Integration Services SSISMicrosoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRSMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordNational Instruments LabVIEWOracle JavaOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementPerlPythonSAP softwareStructure query language SQLUNIXWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing Data or InformationGetting InformationProcessing InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsDeveloping and Building TeamsThinking CreativelyIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesDocumenting/Recording InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsScheduling Work and ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesTraining and Teaching OthersCoaching and Developing OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Biofuels research protocols — follow and execute under direct supervision in a laboratory setting focused on biomass pretreatment or fermentation experiments.Basic laboratory instruments and analytical software — identify and operate to collect raw data from biofuels fluid dynamics or solvent extraction trials.Experimental data sets — record and organize accurately into structured logs under guidance from senior technical staff in a biofuels R&D facility.Standard safety and handling procedures — apply consistently when working with biomass feedstocks and chemical solvents in a regulated lab environment.Preliminary research and development reports — draft sections under supervision for review by senior managers in a biofuels technology organization.Lab-scale fermentation or distillation setups — assist in configuring and monitoring according to established experimental plans in a research facility.Scientific literature on biofuels chemistry and thermodynamics — read and summarize key findings to support team knowledge-building activities.Existing experimental plans for biofuels research — review and flag discrepancies or procedural gaps under the direction of a project lead.Enterprise resource planning software and electronic mail tools — use to track task assignments and communicate progress updates within a biofuels R&D team.Basic mathematical and chemical calculations — perform to support data collection and material balance checks during biofuels laboratory experiments.
developing
Applied biofuels research experiments on topics such as filtration, extraction, or mixing — design and execute with limited oversight in an established R&D laboratory.Fluid dynamics and solvent extraction data — analyze using analytical or scientific software to identify process trends and anomalies in a biofuels production context.Lab-scale models of industrial processes such as fermentation — develop and calibrate to support scale-up feasibility assessments within a biofuels development program.Experimental plans for biofuels or biodiesel research — prepare with appropriate controls and documentation standards for review and approval by senior staff.Technical staff — provide day-to-day scientific guidance to ensure proper execution of biofuels experiments in a departmental research environment.Research and development progress reports — prepare for internal review by technical professionals, summarizing methodology, results, and next steps.Systems analysis techniques — apply to evaluate the performance of biofuels processing steps such as separation, distillation, and water treatment.CAD or development environment software — use to support iterative design of lab apparatus or process flow configurations for biofuels research projects.Time and resource management practices — apply to coordinate multiple concurrent biofuels experiments within project timelines and budget constraints.Biomass pretreatment technologies — conduct controlled experiments and document findings to inform process optimization decisions in a R&D setting.
proficient
Applied biodiesel and biofuels research projects spanning transport, thermodynamics, fermentation, and separation — design and lead autonomously across the full project lifecycle in a specialized R&D organization.Complex multivariate data from biofuels studies including fluid dynamics and water treatment processes — analyze critically and translate into actionable process improvement recommendations.Novel biofuels products, processes, and technologies — propose based on synthesized findings from applied biomass research and competitive landscape analysis.Comprehensive experimental plans for non-routine biofuels research scenarios — oversee preparation of, ensuring scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and resource alignment.Technical and scientific staff — mentor and guide through complex problem-solving challenges in biofuels research, fostering independent analytical capability.Senior management and external technical audiences — present detailed R&D findings through well-structured written reports and oral briefings that drive strategic decisions.Lab-scale to industrial-scale process models for fermentation and other biofuels unit operations — develop and validate, identifying critical scale-up parameters and risk factors.Quality control analysis frameworks — apply across biofuels research workflows to ensure experimental reproducibility and data integrity in a regulated production context.Cross-functional systems evaluation — conduct to assess how biofuels process changes affect upstream feedstock supply and downstream production and processing outcomes.ERP, CAD, CAM, and analytical scientific software — integrate across research and development workflows to optimize project coordination and technical output in a biofuels enterprise.
advanced
Organizational biofuels R&D strategy — define and drive at an enterprise level, aligning research investments in fermentation, extraction, and thermodynamics with long-term business and sustainability objectives.Portfolio of biofuels and biodiesel technology development programs — oversee simultaneously, allocating resources and resolving cross-program technical conflicts across a large R&D organization.Transformative biofuels process innovations and new product pipelines — champion from concept through commercialization, influencing executive decision-making and capital allocation.Senior technical and scientific leadership teams — develop and coach, building organizational capability in complex problem solving, systems analysis, and applied biofuels science.Industry-wide standards and best practices for biofuels research and product development — shape through participation in regulatory bodies, industry consortia, and scientific advisory panels.High-stakes R&D findings and technology roadmaps — communicate to board-level stakeholders, investors, and government agencies through authoritative written and oral presentations.Organizational knowledge management systems — establish to capture and disseminate biofuels research learnings, preventing knowledge loss and accelerating future discovery cycles.Strategic partnerships with academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry partners — forge and govern to co-develop next-generation biofuels technologies at scale.Enterprise-wide quality, safety, and compliance culture for biofuels research and production — architect and institutionalize, ensuring alignment with environmental and regulatory frameworks.Long-range technology forecasting for biomass conversion, biodiesel chemistry, and biofuels systems — lead to position the organization as an innovation leader in the evolving energy sector.
Also known as
18 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Analytical Research Program ManagerBiodiesel Division ManagerBiodiesel Engineering ManagerBiodiesel Product Development ManagerBiodiesel Product ManagerBiodiesel Technology Development ManagerBiodiesel Technology ManagerBiofuels Engineering ManagerBiofuels ManagerBiofuels Product Development ManagerBiofuels Product ManagerBiofuels Technology Development ManagerBiofuels Technology ManagerBusiness Development and New Technology ManagerFermentation ManagerLaboratory Manager (Lab Manager)Project Development DirectorTechnology Development Owner