Operator - Petn Plant

AUSTIN POWDER COMPANY; Red Diamond (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Powder Company is seeking a PETN Chemical Operator to join our explosive manufacturing team. This role involves operating production line equipment, handling raw materials and finished goods, monitoring chemical processes, and maintaining safety and quality standards.

This position requires mechanical and chemical aptitude, strong communication skills, and the ability to work rotating 12-hour shifts in a physically demanding environment. It includes lifting up to 50 lbs and wearing PPE.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic computer skills; able to use Word and Excel.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing.
• Willing to work overtime and rotating shifts.
• Self-starter; able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Authorization to work in the United States.
• 1 year of experience in chemical operations.
• Experience in explosive or chemical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• mechanically inclined.

Responsibilities

• Operate chemical production equipment and loading machinery.
• Handle and package finished goods and load raw materials.
• Monitor production processes and perform basic quality checks.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas and equipment.
• Log production data and report equipment issues to supervision.
• Follow SOPs and safety protocols without deviation.
• Cross-train into all positions within the PETN process.
• Lift up to 50 lbs., climb stairs, and wear required PPE.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Chemical aptitude

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Troubleshooting

Detail oriented

Safety awareness

Pressure tolerance

Team or independent work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Join the Family - Come work for an exciting company offering great benefits, challenging opportunities, and colleagues who feel more like family.

Job Summary

Austin Powder is seeking a skilled and reliable PETN Chemical Operator to join our explosive manufacturing team. This role involves operating production line equipment, handling raw materials and finished goods, monitoring chemical processes, and maintaining safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate will have mechanical and chemical aptitude, strong communication skills, and the ability to work rotating shifts in a physically demanding environment. This position follows a rotating four-week block schedule with 12-hour shifts from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., repeating throughout the year.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Operate chemical production equipment and loading machinery.
• Handle and package finished goods and load raw materials.
• Monitor production processes and perform basic quality checks.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas and equipment.
• Log production data and report equipment issues to supervision.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols without deviation.
• Crosstrain into all positions within the PETN process.
• Lift up to 50 lbs., climb stairs, and wear required PPE.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Basic understanding of computers and ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be able to work in a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work overtime and rotating shifts.
• Must be a self-starter and capable of working independently or as part of a team.
• Authorization to work in the United States.
• 1 year of experience in chemical operations.
• Prior experience in explosive or chemical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Mechanically inclined.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong mechanical and chemical aptitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organizational and record-keeping abilities.
• Ability to troubleshoot and report issues accurately.
• High attention to detail and safety awareness.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing conditions.

Work Environment

• Industrial chemical manufacturing setting.
• Exposure to loud noise, chemical odors, and varying temperatures.
• Physically demanding role requiring standing, climbing, lifting, and wearing PPE.
• Fast-paced, safety-focused environment with strict compliance standards.
• Required to wear protective gear including gloves, safety glasses, respirators, and uniforms.

Austin Powder is an Equal Opportunity and Aff... and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Austin Powder also participates in E-Verify. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

SINCE 1833, IMPROVING THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

Austin Powder has been making explosives for over 190 years and we take great pride in improving the world we live in. In 1833, the Austin family created the company to produce black powder that would help break the rock, mine the minerals and build the canals and railroads to develop the frontier. Initially along the banks of the Cuyahoga River near Akron, Ohio, we grew as the country grew. Today, Austin Powder is a world leader in the industrial explosives industry with a passionate commitment towards safety, a relentless customer focus, a family culture work environment, and a demonstration of respect of towards all. As in our early years, our mission continues to be to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives. Our success has been based on our core values and this has proven to be universally true around the globe as the company has expanded to be one of the leading providers of industrial explosives and blasting services in the world.