Senior Operator

Join our innovative team advancing the frontier of nanocarbon materials. Leveraging a unique circular carbon approach, we are poised to disrupt industries with sustainable, high-performance recycled composites and nanocarbon additives. As we gear up for our next phase of growth, we are seeking a Senior Operator to lead day-to-day operations of our 50 kg/day commercial demonstration system, set to be commissioned in 2026.

The Senior Operator will be responsible for daily operations of Cecilia’s 50 kg/day commercial reactor and associated systems, and managing all product output quality, ensuring end-to-end equipment is operated safely and efficiently. This role will be involved in initial commissioning and will assist in hiring and managing additional operating personnel. This is a full-time, in-person role, based at our facility in the Newark, NJ area. This role reports to the CEO and will work closely with the R&D, engineering and product teams.

This is a hands-on, fully in-person role, ideal for someone who has spent time as an operator or lead technician and now wants to grow into a future Operations Foreman-level position. As the company scales, this role is expected to evolve into hiring and managing a team of operators as Operations Foreman. Candidates with experience leading shifts or informally mentoring junior operators will be strongly preferred.

Daily Operations & Production

• Safely start up, operate, monitor, adjust and shut down pilot scale chemical plant reactor and supporting systems (solid feed handling, feed gas supply, utilities, off-gas, waste management, product purification, etc) according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and plant instructions to ensure stable continuous production.
• Execute routine field rounds, collect data, interpret control panel readings, and identify abnormal conditions. Monitor process parameters in real time, respond to alarms, and perform basic troubleshooting to keep the system running safely and efficiently.
• Ensure sufficient inventory of feedstocks, catalyst, utility gases and other consumables are sufficient for continuous operation; coordinate reorder of raw materials as required.
• Collect, label, and store products and feedstocks according to internal protocols.

Coordination, Documentation & Logistics

• Coordinate reactor operating shifts (initially daytime operations, with future move to 24-hour multi-shift operation as plant performance demonstration milestones are met).
• Maintain accurate logs of operating conditions, batch records, downtime events, and maintenance. Work closely with R&D and product teams to understand experimental objectives and translate them into day-to-day operating decisions.
• Work closely with the engineering team to document operational pain points and recommend process improvements to be implemented in scaled-up system designs.
• Help manage on-site feedstock inventory and support outbound logistics for product shipments, including packaging, labeling, and coordination with partners and customers.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Maintain and update a current controlled copy of the complete piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) for the facility, noting changes and upgrades as they occur.
• Perform routine inspections and basic preventative maintenance on mechanical and process equipment (valves, seals, filters, simple instrumentation, HVAC, water systems, etc.)
• Identify emerging mechanical or reliability issues and coordinate repairs
• Contribute to development and continuous improvement of SOPs, checklists, and maintenance routines.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready work environment.

Team Leadership & Growth

• Provide day-to-day guidance to junior operators once hired; help define responsibilities and training.
• Help interview, select, and train new operators.
• Model a strong safety culture and a proactive, ownership-minded approach on the shop floor.

Safety, Health & Environmental Compliance

• Uphold and model the highest standards of EHS performance, including hazard recognition, job safety analyses (JSAs), lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, hot work, and safe work permitting.
• Follow all site safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, PPE requirements, and safe chemical handling; participate in safety drills and hazard assessments.
• Authorize work permits for third parties entering theo perating unit; supervise activities of third-party contractors and non-operations Cecilia staff when working the unit.
• Follow environmental compliance procedures and support efforts to minimize emissions, waste, and off-spec production.
• Participate in emergency response training and be prepared to respond to plant upsets or incidents.

Required Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of hands-on experience in industrial chemical plant operations (e.g., chemical processing, petrochemicals, plastics, waste-to-energy, power generation, or similar chemical process industries).
• Proven experience running and monitoring process and mechanical equipment (e.g., pumps, valves, reactors, piping, gas systems) in a production environment.
• Experience using and operating industry standard distrusted control system (DCS) software, such as Emerson DeltaV, ABB Ability System 800xA, Siemens SIMATIC PCS 7, or Rockwell Automation PlantPAx, as well as familiarity with programming and automation concepts.
• Ability to understand how to enhance and streamline processes, even if not directly applied to daily tasks, and recommend and implement changes.
• Demonstrated track record of operating safely and following SOPs, with a strong understanding of industrial safety practices (including safe handling of gases and hot equipment, and adherence to lockout/tagout and other site procedures).
• Comfortable doing hands-on physical work in an industrial setting, including standing and walking for extended periods, bending and reaching, and safely lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Strong sense of ownership and reliability; able to independently carry out operating plans, document activities, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for logging runs, documenting issues, and collaborating with engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Willing and able to work in-person, Monday–Friday at our Newark, NJ–area facility, with willingness to relocate to the Greater Newark, NJ metropolitan area if not already local. Transition to shift work is likely as plant performance milestones are met.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a pilot plant, chemical processing, plastics recycling, waste-to-energy, or other relevant process-industry environment.
• Prior experience operating reactive thermochemical decomposition processes, such as fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) or pyrolytic decomposition, is a plus.
• Prior experience as a senior operator, lead technician, or shift lead with responsibility for equipment uptime, production targets, or shift coordination.
• Familiarity with process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment datasheets, and basic mechanical or process drawings.
• Experience performing routine inspections and basic preventative maintenance on pumps, valves, piping, HVAC, water systems, and related process equipment.
• Prior involvement in commissioning new equipment and/or helping write and improve SOPs, checklists, and operating procedures.
• Experience working in a start-up or other dynamic environment with evolving processes and systems
• Associate’s degree in engineering technology, process technology, chemical technology, industrial technology, or a related field, or formal trade school/military technical training.
• Interest in growing into Operations Foreman–type role and managing small team of operators as plant scales. Demonstrate competencies, communication skills, and leadership traits required for growth into Operations Foreman role.