Pilot Facility Operations Mgr.

Ultimate Staffing Services; Benson (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing Services is seeking a Pilot Operations Manager to lead end-to-end pilot-scale manufacturing for advanced materials, bridging R&D and full-scale production. This hands-on leader will ensure safety, efficiency, and on-spec output while coordinating with engineering, quality, and EHS teams.

The role requires a strong background in materials/process engineering, plus 5+ years in pilot production or related environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years in advanced materials or pilot production environments.
• Experience leading manufacturing/pilot teams focusing on safety and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end pilot-scale manufacturing operations for advanced materials, ensuring safety, quality, and on-schedule delivery.
• Build and maintain disciplined, scalable operations while partnering with engineering, quality, and EHS teams to support development and scale-up.
• Drive process development, material qualification, and successful production scale-up in dynamic environments.

Skills

Materials science

Chemical/Process engineering

Pilot production leadership

Scale-up experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Engineering/Metallurgy

Job description

Location: RTPSalary: $100-$160/kThe Pilot Operations Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end pilot-scale manufacturing operations for advanced materials, serving as the critical bridge between research and development and full-scale production. This role combines production leadership, process engineering, material coordination, and team management to ensure materials are produced safely, efficiently, on specification, and on schedule.

The successful candidate will build and maintain disciplined, scalable operations while partnering closely with engineering, quality, commercial, and environmental health and safety (EHS) teams to support process development, material qualification, and successful production scale-up. This role requires a hands-on leader who thrives in dynamic environments, is comfortable navigating ambiguity, and can drive execution while fostering continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in advanced materials, pilot production, manufacturing, or process development environments.
• Experience leading manufacturing, pilot production, or operations teams with responsibility for safety, performance, and execution.
• Demonstrated success supporting process scale-up from development through production.
• Strong background in process engineering, production operations, or technology commercialization.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.