Field Engineer

CvilleBioHub; Chesapeake, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

LIXIL Public Partners (LPP) is seeking a hands-on Field Engineer to manage and optimize pilot-scale domestic wastewater systems across rural and coastal Virginia. You will monitor performance, engage stakeholders, and support startup activities to deliver safe, reliable sanitation technologies.

The role requires a technical engineering background, field experience, and a commitment to safety. This is a 1-year contract with compensation commensurate with experience, and it may involve travel to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in environmental, mechanical or chemical engineering
• Technical experience with wastewater or water treatment systems
• Interest in decentralized sanitation and rural development
• Ability to work independently in field settings
• Strong safety protocol experience

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operation and monitoring of pilot-scale wastewater systems.
• Identify system abnormalities and troubleshoot components in rural/dec rural environments.
• Collect samples and perform routine wastewater analysis.
• Perform hands-on maintenance and upgrades to ensure peak efficiency.
• Represent LIXIL in Chesapeake Bay area and engage with community partners and stakeholders.
• Support startup and ongoing testing requirements mandated by regulatory bodies.
• Oversee delivery, installation, and startup of systems per project timelines.

Skills

Field equipment

Troubleshooting

Laboratory work

Safety compliance

Travel readiness

Education

BSc/MSc in engineering

AS/Technical degree + field exp

Tools

Laboratory instruments

Prototyping environments

Job description

Location: Chesapeake Bay, VA
Employment Type: Part Time, 1099 Contractor
Department: LIXIL Public Partners (LPP)
Reports to: Leader, Business Development and Commercialization

About LIXIL
LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that make better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. As a global enterprise with a presence in more than 150 countries, our portfolio of brands—including American Standard, GROHE, and INAX—touches the lives of more than a billion people every day. We are a purpose-driven company, committed to improving access to sanitation and hygiene and tackling global water challenges through sustainable design and innovation.

Position Overview
LIXIL Public Partners (LPP) is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Field Engineer to manage day-to-day operations for pilot-scale domestic wastewater treatment systems in rural and coastal communities. This role is central to our mission, bridging the gap between innovative R&D and real-world implementation. You will be responsible for system monitoring, performance optimization, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring our next-generation technologies provide safe, reliable, and sustainable sanitation solutions tailored to the specific needs of rural populations.

Training will be provided across all product-specific and testing related activities outlined below.

Contract Duration
This contract is expected to begin immediately and last a period of 1 year. Extensions and conversions are at the discretion of LIXIL and dependent on need and contractor performance. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Why LIXIL?
At LIXIL, you will be part of a diverse community of highly engaged people who are energized to work for a company committed to sustainable growth. We encourage an entrepreneurial spirit where you are empowered to experiment, learn, and grow your career. Every day, you will contribute to LIXIL’s goal of improving the lives of millions by making better homes—and a cleaner, more sustainable environment—a reality for everyone, everywhere.

At LIXIL Public Partners, we believe that sanitation is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. By joining our team in the Chesapeake Bay region, you will be on the front lines of environmental and social resilience for rural and coastal communities. Your daily work will directly provide localized, reliable, and sustainable wastewater solutions in areas where infrastructure is often aging or inaccessible. This role offers the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between engineering innovation and social equity, ensuring that every home—regardless of geography—has access to the dignity and protection of modern, hygienic sanitation systems.

• Domestic Wastewater Operations: Lead the daily operation and monitoring of pilot-scale decentralized treatment systems designed for rural homes and small commercial businesses. Perform routine inspections, including effluent quality checks and sensor monitoring to ensure safe, consistent performance.
• Rural Sanitation Implementation: Proactively identify system abnormalities, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical components, and collaborate with our Commercialization and Innovation teams to implement solutions that address the specific challenges of rural, off-grid, or decentralized environments.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Manage the collection of water and system samples; conduct routine wastewater analysis following established protocols at local laboratories.
• Maintenance & Repair: Execute hands‑on maintenance tasks, including equipment repairs and upgrades, ensuring systems operate at peak efficiency to serve local households or small commercial businesses.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Interface: Act as a representative for LIXIL in the Chesapeake Bay area, assisting with site selection and conducting preliminary site assessments, communicating project status to community partners and rural residents, while interfacing with stakeholders on projects as required to support the Business Development and Commercialization team, maintaining a positive and collaborative environment that supports public health and local resilience.
• Regulatory Compliance & Startup Support: Support the startup of residential and commercial domestic wastewater systems and manage ongoing testing requirements mandated by the permitting regulatory body.
• System Oversight & Deployment: Provide oversight of delivery, installation, and startup of systems, ensuring compliance with specifications and project timelines.

Experience and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in an applicable engineering field (environmental, mechanical or chemical preferred), or an Associate’s Degree in a technical/engineering discipline with commensurate field experience.
• Technical Skills: Proven experience with hands‑on mechanical equipment, troubleshooting system processes (specifically in wastewater or water treatment), and operating in laboratory or prototyping environments.
• Mission Alignment: A strong interest in decentralized sanitation, rural community development, and sustainable infrastructure.
• Soft Skills: Ability to work independently in field settings, manage multiple tasks, and synthesize critical field observations and stakeholder feedback into actionable project insights.
• Communications: Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical teams and rural community members.
• Safety Compliance: Strong commitment to following rigorous safety guidelines and protocols, particularly regarding equipment and laboratory environments.
• Travel: Field Engineer must be able to travel from home base to coastal VA area (e.g. Gloucester County region). Travel distance must be close enough to the coastal VA area to respond to emergency needs within a 24 hour period. Routine work in the field can be managed between the employee and his/her team leader.