Chemical Technician - Pilot Plant Operator

Vateris; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Vateris in Nottingham is seeking a practical Pilot Plant Operator/Chemical Technician to operate, maintain and improve our CO₂ mineralisation pilot plant in Nottingham. You will manage the production of GypCarb and SOP, ensuring consistent product quality and reliable plant operation.

The role covers CO₂ absorption into amine solutions, reactors, filtration, drying and finished-product preparation, with close collaboration with the QC team.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of hands-on experience operating chemical processing equipment.
• Experience with reactors, pumps, filtration, and drying equipment.
• Knowledge of safety and compliance frameworks (HAZOP, COSHH, MOC).
• Experience in startups or industrial R&D environments.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage routine production of GypCarb and potassium sulphate, meeting quality specifications, quantities and schedules.
• Operate the plant safely, including start-up, monitoring, shutdown and daily production activities.
• Run CO₂ absorption systems using amine solutions and operate reactors, pumps and mixers for precipitation and crystallisation.
• Prepare and handle chemical feedstocks, solutions, powders and slurries, including filtration, washing and drying.
• Monitor and adjust process parameters to maintain product quality, consistency and production yield.
• Collect samples, maintain production records and coordinate product testing with the QC team.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues, performing routine maintenance, cleaning and basic repairs.
• Plan daily production, coordinating feedstocks, equipment availability and production requirements.
• Identify and implement improvements to plant reliability, throughput and operational efficiency.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning and the transition to automated demonstration-scale production.
• Maintain operating procedures, plant documentation and safe working practices.

Skills

Chemical processing

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Problem solving

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Education

Chemistry degree

Chemical Engineering degree

Tools

Reactors

Pumps

Filtration systems

Dryers

PFDs & P&IDs

Job description

Salary

Competitive, depending on experience

The Role

We are looking for a practical, hands-on Pilot Plant Operator / Chemical Technician to operate, maintain and improve our CO₂ mineralisation pilot plant in Nottingham.

The primary responsibility is the routine production of GypCarb® (calcium carbonate) and potassium sulphate (SOP), ensuring consistent product quality, required quantities and reliable plant operation.

You will manage the production process, from CO₂ absorption into amine solutions and chemical reactions through to slurry handling, filtration, drying and finished-product preparation, working closely with our QC team.

Our technology is currently at pilot scale and is expected to progress towards demonstration-scale production over the next 12 months. You will support this transition through process improvements, equipment upgrades and automation.

This is a hands-on, plant-based role, requiring ownership of daily production, equipment troubleshooting and operational activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage routine production of GypCarb and potassium sulphate, meeting quality specifications, quantities and schedules.
• Operate the plant safely, including start-up, monitoring, shutdown and daily production activities.
• Run CO₂ absorption systems using amine solutions and operate reactors, pumps and mixers for precipitation and crystallisation.
• Prepare and handle chemical feedstocks, solutions, powders and slurries, including filtration, washing and drying.
• Monitor and adjust process parameters to maintain product quality, consistency and production yield.
• Collect samples, maintain production records and coordinate product testing with the QC team.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues, performing routine maintenance, cleaning and basic repairs.
• Plan daily production, coordinating feedstocks, equipment availability and production requirements.
• Identify and implement improvements to plant reliability, throughput and operational efficiency.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning and the transition to automated demonstration-scale production.
• Maintain operating procedures, plant documentation and safe working practices.

Candidate Profile

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 2–4 years of practical experience operating chemical processing equipment, pilot plants or industrial production facilities.
• Hands-on experience with reactors, pumps, filtration systems, dryers or similar industrial equipment.
• Understanding of chemical reactions, gas-liquid processing, crystallisation and solid-liquid separation.
• Comfortable handling chemicals, amine solutions, powders, slurries and finished products.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team and independently complete operational tasks.
• Strong troubleshooting, basic maintenance and practical problem-solving skills.
• Good process safety awareness and ability to work accurately in a demanding industrial environment.
• Familiarity with HAZOP, risk assessments, COSHH, method statements and Management of Change (MOC).
• Experience in preventative maintenance, maintenance planning and plant shutdowns.
• Practical experience with small-bore pipework, mechanical assembly, fabrication or equipment installation.
• Familiarity with 240V electrical equipment and safe electrical working practices.
• Understanding of PFDs, P&IDs, process instrumentation and automation.
• Experience in commissioning, process improvement, crystallisation, carbonation or product development.
• Experience working in startups, scale-ups or industrial R&D environments.

What We Are Looking For

We are particularly interested in hands-on operators or technicians who can take ownership of routine chemical production and consistently deliver products to specification.

The ideal candidate is practical, reliable and technically capable, with strong equipment operation, troubleshooting and teamwork skills.

This role offers the opportunity to progress from pilot-plant operation to supporting a larger, increasingly automated demonstration facility within the next 12 months.

We value practical plant experience, production reliability and problem-solving ability over academic qualifications or university reputation.