As the Site Engineer, you will be a core team member of our Insect Technology projects team. You will be responsible for the technical execution, equipment implementation, and continuous operational management of our Smart Insect Farm facilities.

This is a highly dynamic technical and operational role. You will translate process requirements into robust, scalable, on-the-ground realities by coordinating machinery deployment, managing facility upgrades, and overseeing the integration of advanced IoT systems. You will need to intimately understand the biological and process-related aspects of our operations to implement new systems and optimize existing equipment. Rather than just drafting plans, you will be actively managing project timelines, overseeing contractor installations, conducting practical tests, and stepping in to troubleshoot and repair farm machinery and automated systems to ensure seamless operations.

This is not a typical desk-bound engineering role. We are looking for hands-on builders and resourceful problem-solvers with a strong technical foundation and a strong ambition to build the next step of your career. You will be bringing solutions from concept to reality in a rapidly growing agri-tech startup that is Making Insects Work For A Better Food System.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the mechanical design process from concept through to detailed drawings, Bill of Materials (BOMs) and on-site installation & commissioning for new equipment and facilities.
• Design and develop production lines, assemblies and equipments for Smart Insect Farms, including conveyors, sieves, mixers, mills, material handling systems, climate control systems, and other specialised machinery.
• Create and manage detailed 3D models and 2D fabrication drawings using CAD software (e.g. SolidWorks), ensuring designs are optimised for manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance.
• Be accountable for design specifications, requirements, material selection, and component choices, balancing performance, cost, and reliability.
• Contribute to supplier and fabricators selection, review technical proposals from vendors, and work through the process to final delivery, commissioning and optimisation to ensure final products meet design requirements.
• Ensure all designs meet facility, equipment, and process safety, sanitation (hygienic design), and compliance standards (HACCP, GMP+).
• Effectively troubleshoot design challenges and resourcefully improve operating efficiency by collaborating with the production team to identify and design out process bottlenecks.
• Contribute to the Setup & Maintenance team to deliver projects, incorporate feedback on maintainability, robustness, and overall operating improvement into all new designs.
• Oversee the deployment, calibration, and continuous management of IoT equipment and sensor networks across the farm to ensure optimal climate and process control.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, particularly Production and R&D, to co-develop, customize, and commission specialized machinery and equipment that support and optimize the precise biological requirements of our insect rearing processes.

Requirements:

• Early Career Professionals: You have 1-3 years of experience in a technical role and are ready to take on more responsibility.
• Exceptional Fresh Grads also Welcome: You are a recent graduate who goes above and beyond; perhaps you’ve led a university technical team, completed an intensive internship, or have a portfolio of personal engineering projects.
• Background: Primary focus on Mechanical, Process, Manufacturing or Chemical Engineering. However, we are open to diverse technical backgrounds if you can demonstrate strong engineering fundamentals and a quick learning curve.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferably) is essential. Experience creating P&IDs, design and detailed fabrication drawings, process flows and layouts, written engineering documentation.
  • Hands-on experience in a workshop environment, with knowledge of metal fabrication, machining, and assembly processes is a big plus.
  • It’s a big plus if you are experienced in Food/Agri-manufacturing industries: food manufacturing or agriculture (palm oil, large feed milling, poultry operations),
  • Having startup or new project development experience would be a big plus
• Desired attributes:
  • Must have: dedication, grit, perseverance, ambition to develop your career within a challenging, high-performance agri-tech startup making an impact on our food system.
  • Strong organisational and communication skills. Your written communication creates clarity and structure for your team and the organisation. Strong attention to detail and quality of work of yourself and your team.
  • Analytical skills, research skills and strong experienced-based intuition about what will work and what doesn’t. Strong technical and engineering fundamentals + Common Sense.
  • General technology/software affinity & proficiency is a plus
• Proficient written and spoken communication in English. Fluent Malay communication. Mandarin is a plus.
• Observe and promote safety at all times
• Must have: own car & laptop. Travel will be required.

What should you expect from us:

• Competitive salary; depending on profile and relevant experience
• Travel allowances / reimbursements provided
• Private medical insurance
• A dynamic, friendly, mission-driven and talented team.
• A impact-oriented, agri-tech and biotech startup environment.

Sounds interesting? – We’d love to hear from you!
Get in touch: careers@protenga.com cc leo@protenga.com

Tell us about yourself and some of the awesome work you’ve done so far. Please submit a cover letter indicating your available start date (including notice period if applicable), your interest in this role, and your CV/resume that includes a list of two references. Note that applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis and you are therefore encouraged to apply early.

Location
Your position would be based mainly at our Kluang site. Travel to other project sites in the future may be possible.