Management
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Also called: Analytical Research Program Manager, Biodiesel Division Manager, Biofuels Manager, Business Development and New Technology Manager
US median pay
$171,270
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
14,900
220,900 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Develop lab scale models of industrial scale processes, such as fermentation.
- Oversee biodiesel/biofuels prototyping or development projects.
- Conduct experiments to test new or alternate feedstock fermentation processes.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Systems Analysis3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Systems Evaluation3.5/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Coordination3.2/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.1/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.1/5
- Chemistry4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology3.9/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree55%
- Master's degree29%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.