Pilot Plant Operator - Critical Minerals & Water Treatment

YOH Services LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

HSA (Health Saving Account)

Life & Disability Insurance

401K Retirement Savings Plan

Direct Deposit & weekly pay

Certification & training opportunities

Job summary

Yoh Life Sciences in Houston, TX, is seeking a Pilot Plant Operator for critical minerals and water treatment. The role focuses on running, maintaining, and modifying pilot-scale equipment with 3+ years in water/wastewater.

Expect hands-on testing, sampling, and process optimization in a fast-paced lab environment. Position is contract-to-hire with shifts Monday to Friday 8–5, and pay ranges from $30 to $35 per hour DOE.

Qualifications

• Hands-on mechanical aptitude with pumps, valves, piping, and instrumentation.
• Experience with iodine extraction.
• Experience handling chemicals safely including dosing, storage, and PPE use.
• Ability to read process diagrams/P&IDs and follow technical procedures.
• Able to perform physically demanding warehouse work, standing and lifting as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor pilot equipment (pumps, membranes, filtration skids, media filtration, chemical dosing systems).
• Set up equipment, troubleshoot, and modify to support test protocols.
• Conduct water sampling and lab-based testing (pH, conductivity, turbidity, TDS, residuals).
• Log data and performance metrics accurately; maintain safety and SOP compliance.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and assist with equipment changes and wiring/pipe tweaks.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Iodine extraction

Chemicals handling

P&IDs reading

Physical warehouse work

Education

Associate's degree or cert in process tech/chemistry/environmental science

Job description

Pilot Plant Operator - Critical Minerals & Water Treatment

Yoh Life Sciences is hiring for a Pilot Plant Operator - Critical Minerals & Water Treatment in Houston, TX. This role will be a hands-on role responsible for running, maintaining, and modifying pilot-scale water treatment/processing equipment. The Pilot Plant Operator professional with 3+ years of water/wastewater treatment experience. Strong background in conducting water sampling, in-line and lab based testing(pH, conductivity, turbidity, TDS, chemical residuals, etc.).

Title: Pilot Plant Operator- Critical Minerals

Duration: Contract-to-Hire

Pay: $30-$35/hr DOE

Location: Houston, TX

Shift: M-F 8-5pm

Pilot Plant Operator / Process Technician - Critical Minerals & Water Treatment

Role Summary

Hands-on operator responsible for running, maintaining, and modifying pilot-scale water treatment/processing equipment.

• Core Responsibilities:
  
  
  
  • Operate and monitor pilot equipment (pumps, membranes, filtration skids, media filtration, chemical dosing systems, etc.) during test runs
  
  
  • Perform equipment setup, troubleshooting, and mechanical/process modifications to support evolving test protocols
  
  
  • Conduct water sampling, in-line and lab-based testing (pH, conductivity, turbidity, TDS, chemical residuals, etc.)
  
  
  • Handle and dose process chemicals safely, following SOPs and safety data sheets
  
  
  • Record and log operational data, test results, and equipment performance metrics accurately
  
  
  • Perform routine preventive maintenance and basic repairs on pilot systems
  
  
  • Support fabrication/assembly of equipment changes (piping, fittings, instrumentation adjustments)
  
  
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant warehouse/lab work area
  
  
  • Communicate results, issues, and equipment status to engineering and project leads
  
  
  
  

• Required Qualifications:
  
  
  
  • Hands-on mechanical aptitude - comfortable working with pumps, valves, piping, and instrumentation
  
  
  • Iodine Extraction experience
  
  
  • Experience handling chemicals safely (mixing, dosing, storage, PPE use)
  
  
  • Ability to read basic process diagrams/P&IDs and follow technical procedures
  
  
  • Comfortable with physical warehouse work (lifting, standing, working around equipment)
  
  
  
  

• Preferred Qualifications:
  
  
  
  • Prior experience with water/wastewater treatment or processing equipment (membranes, RO, filtration, desalination, etc.)
  
  
  • Background in chemistry, chemical handling, or a related lab/industrial environment
  
  
  • Experience with pilot-scale or small-batch industrial equipment
  
  
  • Basic troubleshooting/repair skills (mechanical, electrical, or instrumentation)
  
  
  • Associate's degree or technical certification in process technology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related trade (not required - relevant experience can substitute
  
  
  
  

• Work Environment:
  
  
  
  • Warehouse/pilot facility setting - active, on-your-feet, hands-on role
  
  
  • Exposure to process chemicals and testing equipment (proper PPE and training provided)
  
  
  
  

Estimated Min Rate: $23.10

Estimated Max Rate: $33.00

What's In It for You?

We welcome you to be a part of the largest and legendary global staffing companies to meet your career aspirations. Yoh's network of client companies has been employing professionals like you for over 65 years in the U.S., UK and Canada. Join Yoh's extensive talent community that will provide you with access to Yoh's vast network of opportunities and gain access to this exclusive opportunity available to you. Benefit eligibility is in accordance with applicable laws and client requirements. Benefits include:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Benefits (for employees working 20+ hours per week)


• Health Savings Account (HSA) (for employees working 20+ hours per week)


• Life & Disability Insurance (for employees working 20+ hours per week)


• MetLife Voluntary Benefits


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• 401K Retirement Savings Plan


• Direct Deposit & weekly epayroll


• Referral Bonus Programs


• Certification and training opportunities

Note: Any pay ranges displayed are estimations. Actual pay is determined by an applicant's experience, technical expertise, and other qualifications as listed in the job description. All qualified applicants are welcome to apply.

Yoh, a Day & Zimmermann company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Visit https://www.yoh.com/applicants-with-disabilities to contact us if you are an individual with a disability and require accommodation in the application process.

For California applicants, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. All of the material job duties described in this posting are job duties for which a criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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