Pilot Plant Operator

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Plant Operators to run and maintain our rare-earth metal production facility. You'll own day-to-day operations of our pilot-scale production lines—managing high-temperature reactors, vacuum systems, induction furnaces, and material handling from feedstock prep through finished metal.

What You'll Do

• Operate and monitor pilot-scale production equipment including vacuum induction furnaces, tube furnaces (up to 1700°C), high-vacuum pump systems, and inert-atmosphere gloveboxes.
• Manage production runs end-to-end: feedstock preparation, reactor charging, process execution, product recovery, and packaging under inert conditions.
• Track and log process parameters (temperature profiles, vacuum levels, gas flows, cycle times); flag deviations and make real-time adjustments to stay on-spec.
• Perform preventive and first-line corrective maintenance on furnaces, vacuum systems, gas delivery, and material handling equipment; coordinate with engineers on larger repairs.
• Prepare samples for analytical testing (ICP-OES, IGF-O/N, SEM-EDS); understand how results feed back into process control.
• Operate overhead cranes (2T & 5T), forklifts, and rigging equipment to move feedstock, crucibles, and finished product safely.
• Maintain strict housekeeping, chemical hygiene, and safety practices—especially around hot materials, reactive powders, and inert-gas environments.
• Support commissioning and startup of new production lines and equipment as the facility scales.
• Collaborate with R&D engineers and technicians on trial runs, process improvements, and scale-up campaigns; provide operator-level insight to improve designs and procedures.

Required

• 3+ years operating pilot-scale or production-scale process equipment (chemical, metallurgical, semiconductor, glass, ceramics, or similar).
• Crane, rigging, and forklift operation experience; certifications preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude—comfortable with hand and power tools, basic fabrication, and equipment assembly.
• Rigorous approach to SOPs, batch records, safety protocols, and data logging.
• Ability to work rotating or flexible shifts as production demands require.
• Comfort working independently and making sound operational decisions in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Availability to start soon.

PREFERRED

• Experience in pyrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, or rare-earth/specialty metals processing.
• Background operating vacuum induction melting furnaces.
• Basic welding skills (MIG/TIG) and familiarity with shop fabrication.
• OSHA 10/30 or HAZWOPER certification.
• Coursework or training in metallurgy, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field.