Operations & Engineering Lead

What You'll Do

• Own the day-to-day operational health of Mantel's demonstration unit at Wayagamack — if something isn't running right, you're the first person on it
• Execute and oversee operating procedures, shift handovers, and routine checks to keep the system running safely and consistently
• Monitor system performance in real time and respond quickly when something is off — you don't wait for problems to escalate
• Cook with Kruger's site team and operations personnel to maintain a safe, professional, and collaborative on-site environment
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, process, instrumentation, and operational issues in the field — hands-on, methodical, and fast
• Work through problems systematically: identify root cause, implement fixes, verify resolution, and document what happened and why
• Build a working knowledge of every system on the unit so that no problem is outside your scope
• Know when to call for backup and when to solve it yourself — and be honest about the difference
• Get your hands dirty — conduct field inspections, support maintenance activities, assist trades, and do the physical work the system requires
• Ensure equipment is maintained to a high standard: lubrication, calibration checks, filter changes, and general upkeep don't get delegated if you can do them yourself
• Identify maintenance needs proactively and address them before they become failures
• Support ongoing commissioning activities: procedure execution, punch list close-out, and system startup and shutdown
• Identify opportunities to improve operability, reliability, and system performance based on direct field experience
• Feed observations and lessons learned back to the Commissioning Director and engineering team to inform design improvements and scale-up
• Maintain accurate operating logs, shift reports, and field records — not because you love paperwork, but because the record matters
• Report clearly and concisely to the Commissioning Director on system status, active issues, and progress
• Flag safety concerns, near-misses, and process deviations immediately and document them completely

Who You Are

• Experience: 8+ years of hands-on experience in industrial plant operations, commissioning, or field engineering — in process, power, pulp and paper, or a related heavy industrial environment
• Education: B.Eng., B.S., technical diploma, or trade certification in a relevant discipline — demonstrated field competency matters more than credentials
• Put differently,
• You're a troubleshooter above all else — methodical, hands-on, and not satisfied until you understand exactly what went wrong and why
• You're physically comfortable in an industrial environment and an early start doesn't slow you down
• You have the engineering depth to read a P&ID, interpret a trend, and understand what a system is telling you
• You're self-directed and reliable — on-site autonomy suits you
• You're low-ego and safety-first, and you don't need to be chased for updates