Pilot Plant Engineer

Saltworks Technologies: Industrial Water + Lithium; Richmond; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

RRSP matching

Life insurance

AD&D coverage

Education allowance

Job summary

Saltworks Technologies in Richmond, BC, is seeking a Pilot Plant Engineer to oversee and optimize pilot-scale water treatment and lithium refining systems. The role combines fieldwork, factory operations, and design support, with international travel to customer sites as needed.

Your work will help advance Saltworks’ cutting-edge processes, supported by a strong leadership team. You will gain hands-on experience from senior engineers, participate in data-driven improvements, and contribute to

Qualifications

• A degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering with 1–3 years in an industrial environment.
• Strong safety mindset and ability to maintain a clean, organized work area.
• Excellent organization, communication, and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate pilot-scale water treatment and lithium refining systems (training provided).
• Collect, analyze, and manage data including wet lab testing.
• Learn inorganic chemistry, treatment processes, and lithium refining with guidance.
• Work with Saltworks products, processes, and pilot plant infrastructure.
• Contribute to completion reports and propose design improvements.
• Perform basic maintenance with support from skilled tradespeople.
• Develop coordination between engineering drawings, documentation, and troubleshooting.

Skills

Data analysis

Pilot plant experience

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Hands-on lab equipment

Strong communication

Field data collection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Industrial instrumentation

Job description

Saltworks Technologiesis a leading Canadian cleantech company solving two of the world's most pressing challenges: water sustainability and critical minerals supply. We design and build advanced industrial water treatment and lithium refining systems for global leaders in semiconductors, mining, automotive, and industrial processing.

Saltworks is a 2025 Technology Fast 50 company and EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner. We lead our industry in adopting and developing AI across our products, projects, and operations. Join us and build skills defining the next era of engineering and industrial systems.

The Role

Join our team as aPilot Plant Engineerand play a key role in overseeing and optimizing our cutting-edge pilot-scale plants. This position offers a dynamic mix of fieldwork, factory operations, and engineering design support. Field assignments may last several months at customer sites, where you’ll be backed by a strong and supportive team at headquarters.

You will advance your technical skills whileworking closely with our experienced senior leaders and subject matter experts. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy hands‑on work, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate pilot-scale industrial water treatment and lithium refining systems (training provided).
• Collect, analyze, and manage data, including wet lab testing and interpretation.
• Build knowledge in inorganic water chemistry, treatment processes, and lithium refining with guidance from in-house experts.
• Learn and apply an understanding of Saltworks' products, processes, and pilot plant infrastructure.
• Contribute to completion reports and provide feedback for process and design improvements.
• Perform basic maintenance tasks, supported by skilled tradespeople for complex work.
• Strengthen your technical and communication skills through work with engineering drawings, documentation, mass balances, and troubleshooting.

You will be a great fit if you have:

• A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally to customer sites without restrictions.
• A degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, with 1-3 years of post‑graduate experience in an industrial environment.
• A strong safety mindset and commitment to maintaining a clean, organized work area.
• Solid mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands‑on experience with tools, industrial instruments, and lab equipment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• A quick learning ability and a high standard for quality work.
• A collaborative, can‑do attitude and willingness to pitch in wherever needed.

Why join Saltworks?

At Saltworks, you'll collaborate with talented colleagues to solve complex, real‑world problems – designing and delivering innovative water treatment and lithium refining systems for some of the world's most recognized companies. Every team member contributes meaningfully, from early‑stage development through field deployment.

Saltworks is investing intentionally in artificial intelligence for engineering and technical work. Engineering offers one of the longest runways for AI‑driven productivity and automation, and Saltworks aims to be at the forefront of this shift. We provide the training, computational capacity, and practical tools needed for engineers and technical professionals to apply AI meaningfully in their work.

We Offer

• Competitive compensation package, including medical, dental, vision, RRSP matching, life insurance, AD&D coverage, and an education allowance.
• Culture built on safety, innovation, diversity, and continuous learning.
• Collaborative, cross‑functional team environment where every member contributes to project outcomes.
• Regular social activities and company events.

Salary: Negotiable based on your experience, qualifications, and alignment with comparable roles internally.

Location:13800 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC V6W 1A8