Director of Plant Development

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end setup and commissioning of our pilot ash processing facility, aligning with project milestones, cost targets, and technical goals.
• Serve as the point person for construction activities, including permitting, site preparation, utilities, and system commissioning.
• Collaborate with EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractors to deliver the first full-scale commercial facility, guiding design, execution, and transition to operations.
• Provide technical and strategic guidance on facility layout, equipment selection, automation, and process flow, ensuring scalability and long-term cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and refine standard operating procedures, quality controls, and manufacturing protocols.
• Translate R&D and lab-scale breakthroughs into commercially viable plant designs.
• Work closely with R&D, engineering, and operations teams to ensure process integrity, manufacturability, and production throughput.
• Integrate feedback loops from pilots and early production into ongoing design improvements.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with equipment suppliers, engineering consultants, and construction firms.
• Leverage your industry network to accelerate timelines, reduce costs, and secure strategic partnerships.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with EH&S (Environmental, Health, and Safety) standards across all project phases.
• Lead or support audits, permitting, and community engagement around facility operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in industrial engineering, manufacturing, or operations, with a strong track record of scaling up emerging technologies into full-scale production.
• Direct experience leading the design, buildout, and commissioning of at least one processing or chemical facility.
• Expertise in ash, waste, cement, or chemical processing industries is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience collaborating with or managing EPC contractors.
• Strong project management acumen, including budget control, Gantt scheduling, and risk mitigation.
• Deep understanding of equipment selection, process flow design, and utilities integration.
• Industry connections that can be leveraged for partnerships, technology evaluation, and equipment sourcing.
• Bachelor's / Master’s / PhD degree in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines.
• Passion for sustainability, circular economy, and building next-generation infrastructure.