Lead Operator – Methanol & Desulfurization Plant

Alyeschem, LLC; Alaska; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Benefits package

Job summary

Alyeschem, LLC in Alaska seeks a Lead Operator to drive commissioning, startup, and ongoing operation of a small-scale methanol and desulfurization facility in Prudhoe Bay. You will lead a two-person lead operator team through HAZOP, procedure development, and the transition to stable production.

The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on control room and field presence, shaping safety standards, culture, and operational excellence in an austere Arctic environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in chemical processing, refining, gas processing, or similar operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in plant commissioning and startup.
• Strong working knowledge of process safety systems and HAZOP methodologies.
• Proven ability to write clear, effective operating procedures.
• Hands-on troubleshooting expertise across multiple unit operations and process systems.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to train and mentor others.
• High level of personal accountability, composure, and decision-making under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Assist in HAZOP revalidation, ensuring process safety systems and safeguards are current and effective.
• Develop, author, and validate operating, startup/shutdown, and emergency response procedures.
• Support mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, and commissioning activities.
• Lead plant startup, stabilization, and performance testing efforts.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard a team of operators; mentor to achieve competency across plant systems.
• Lead shift operations with strong ownership and accountability; maintain visibility on board and in field.
• Coordinate with production scheduling and logistics for truck loading/unloading.
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting for steam systems, heat exchangers, compressors, SMR, PSA, and other systems.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Troubleshooting

Process safety

HAZOP methodologies

Operating procedures writing

Field operations

Communication

Job description

Lead Operator – Methanol & Desulfurization Plant

We are seeking a highly capable and disciplined Lead Operator to support the commissioning, startup, and long-term operation of a small-scale methanol and desulfurization facility located in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. This role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring leadership through plant development phases—from HAZOP revalidation and procedure development to hiring, training, and leading an operations team through startup and into stable production.

The ideal candidate is a calm, confident leader with strong technical expertise in methanol and hydrotreating unit operations, arctic operations, and with a bias toward action. They will play a foundational role in shaping plant culture, safety standards, and operational excellence in a remote Arctic environment.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning & Startup Phase

• Assist in HAZOP revalidation, ensuring process safety systems and safeguards are current and effective.
• Develop, author, and validate:
  • Operating procedures
  • Startup and shutdown procedures
  • Emergency response procedures
• Support mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, and commissioning activities.
• Lead plant startup, stabilization, and performance testing efforts.

Team Building & Training

• Recruit, hire, and onboard a team of 8 operators.
• Develop and deliver structured training programs during commissioning.
• Mentor operators to achieve competency across all plant systems.
• Establish clear expectations for safety, accountability, and operational discipline.

Operations Leadership

• Lead shift operations with a strong emphasis on personal ownership and accountability.
• Maintain a visible, active presence in the plant—approximately 50% on the control board and 50% in the field.
• Set and reinforce a culture of:
  • Proactive engagement
  • Mobility and situational awareness
  • Bias toward action and problem-solving
• Coordinate with production scheduling and logistics teams for truck loading/unloading.

Technical Oversight & Troubleshooting

• Provide expert-level troubleshooting and operational support for:
  • Steam systems
  • Heat exchangers
  • Compressors
  • Steam Methane Reformer (SMR)
  • Methanol synthesis reactor loop
  • Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) for hydrogen purification
  • Diesel hydrotreater
  • Glycol heat exchanger systems
• Ensure optimal plant performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Work as a team of two lead operators.
• Anchorage, Alaska based during design and construction.
• Transitioning to alternates for commissioning through stable operations.
• Remote Arctic operations in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
• Plant staffing model:
  • 3 operators on day shift
  • 2 operators on night shift
• Additional support for scheduling and product handling provided.
• Requires physical mobility, field presence, and comfort working in extreme conditions.

Qualifications Required

• Significant experience in chemical processing, refining, gas processing, or similar operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in plant commissioning and startup.
• Strong working knowledge of process safety systems and HAZOP methodologies.
• Proven ability to write clear, effective operating procedures.
• Hands-on troubleshooting expertise across multiple unit operations and process systems.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to train and mentor others.
• High level of personal accountability, composure, and decision-making under pressure.

Preferred

• Experience with SMR operations, methanol production, hydrogen systems, and hydrotreating processes.
• Prior experience in remote or extreme environments.
• Background in small-team, high-responsibility operations.

Leadership Profile

• Calm, confident, and decisive under pressure.
• Leads by example with a hands-on, field-oriented approach.
• Establishes a culture of ownership, accountability, and action.
• Self-aware communicator who works effectively in small teams.
• While many successful candidates in Arctic environments trend toward introversion, strong interpersonal awareness and communication skills are essential.

Compensation & Incentives

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Potential eligibility for B-share equity participation in the company.
• Benefits package and rotational schedule details provided during hiring process.

Why This Role

This is a rare opportunity to play a defining role in building and operating a facility from the ground up. The Lead Operator will directly influence plant performance, team culture, and long-term success while working closely with executive leadership.