Biofuels and biodiesel technology managers oversee product development and innovation in renewable energy. You'll need a bachelor's degree and strong analytical skills. The work is technical, strategic, and growing as demand for clean energy rises.
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You manage the development and production of biofuels and biodiesel products. Your day involves analyzing data, solving complex problems, and making decisions that shape product strategy. You work with computers to model processes, communicate findings to supervisors and teams, and gather information from multiple sources. You apply chemistry, engineering, and mathematics knowledge to improve efficiency and sustainability. This role bridges science and business, requiring you to process technical information and present it clearly to stakeholders.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers earn a median of $171,270 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 14,500 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Your coursework should emphasize chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and production processes. During your education, develop strong writing and communication skills alongside technical knowledge. Seek internships or entry-level positions in renewable energy, chemical production, or manufacturing to build practical experience. Job Zone 4 preparation means you'll need considerable experience before moving into a management role, so plan for several years in technical positions first.
Most paths start with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, engineering, or a related field, followed by technical roles in biofuels production or research. If you're weighing different educational routes or timing your entry into the field, Pathly can map the biofuel/biodiesel technology and product development manager path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a plan that fits your goals.
You're drawn to investigative work that combines chemistry and engineering. You enjoy analyzing data, solving problems, and understanding how systems work at a technical level.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).