Pilot Plant Engineer

Saltworks Technologies Inc; Richmond; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Saltworks Technologies is seeking a Pilot Plant Engineer to oversee and optimize pilot-scale water treatment and lithium refining systems. This role blends field assignments at customer sites with factory operations and design support, backed by a strong team at headquarters.

You'll work closely with senior leaders and SMEs, gaining hands-on experience, strong safety practices, and opportunities to contribute to process improvements while advancing your technical skills in an dynamic industrial

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering with 1–3 years of industrial experience.
• Strong safety mindset and ability to work in field and factory settings.
• Solid mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands-on experience with tools, lab equipment, and industrial instruments.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate pilot-scale water treatment and lithium refining systems.
• Collect, analyze, and manage data including wet lab testing.
• Learn Saltworks’ products, processes, and pilot plant infrastructure.
• Contribute to completion reports and process improvements.
• Perform basic maintenance with trades support.
• Work with engineering drawings and mass balances.

Skills

Fieldwork

Data analysis

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Industrial instruments

Lab equipment

Engineering drawings

Job description

Saltworks Technologies is 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 a Pilot Plant Engineer and 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 while working 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

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