Pilot Plant Operator - Technician

Sea Dragon Energy, Inc.; Kailua (HI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Flexible PTO + holidays

Job summary

Sea Dragon Energy is seeking a Pilot Plant Operator-Technician to manage chemical process skids, monitor operations, collect and analyze samples, and perform routine maintenance with strict safety compliance.

This full-time role at the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park in Kailua-Kona involves rotating 12-hour shifts, including nights, and requires strong communication to address process issues and coordinate with the Site Manager.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or higher.
• 3 years in a manufacturing, pilot plant, or laboratory environment.
• Proactive communication to alert others to issues around the pilot plant.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe working environment with chemical process equipment and wear PPE.
• Operate chemical process skids and interact with valves, PLCs, pumps, and reactors.
• Monitor skid operation and troubleshoot parameter deviations.
• Acquire samples and analyze them in the site quality lab.
• Perform equipment maintenance and basic repairs, coordinating with vendors as needed.
• Respond to spills and cleanup with corrective action.
• Operate a forklift as required, and work rotating 12-hour shifts including nights.

Skills

Safety awareness

Process monitoring

Troubleshooting

Laboratory analysis

Equipment maintenance

Forklift operation

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associates degree

Tools

Swagelok

Lock Out Tag Out

Job description

Job Title: Pilot Plant Operator-Technician

Job Type: Full-time rotating shifts, overtime expected

Work Location: Sea Dragon Energy at the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Pay: $30-$40/hour

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) retirement program with matching
• Flexible PTO policy including 12 company holidays and 1 floating holiday

About Us

Sea Dragon Energy is a commercial startup and veteran-owned company developing a process to generate sustainable aviation fuel. This project combines breakthrough technologies that extract carbon dioxide and hydrogen from seawater to synthesize jet fuel in distributed units while requiring no crude oil input.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe working environment with chemical process equipment. Follow all safety standards and wear appropriate PPE when required to do so, including flame resistant clothing, work gloves, and masks/respirators.
• Operate chemical process skids as directed by the Site Manager, including interacting with valves, PLC screens, pumps, compressors, electrolyzers, and reactors.
• Monitor chemical process skid operation. Identify problems or defects during process operation. Make process adjustments and attempt to independently troubleshoot process parameter deviations.
• Acquire chemical samples from the process skids and analyze them in the site quality laboratory.
• Perform maintenance checks on equipment. Perform basic repairs of equipment such as fixing small leaks or changing out broken pumps. For more advanced repairs, work with equipment vendors to assist in the repair.
• Respond to spills and cleanup with appropriate corrective action.
• Operate a forklift as required. Previous forklift experience is not required.
• During chemical operating campaigns work rotating 12 hour shifts. Night shifts will be required during operating campaigns.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• High school diploma/GED or higher.
• Three (3) years of experience in a manufacturing, pilot plant, or laboratory environment.
• Proactive communication in alerting others to issues around the pilot plant.

Additional Qualifications That Would Help You Succeed Further

• Associates degree or similar two-year technical degree or higher.
• Experience with Swagelok.
• Experience in petroleum refining, petrochemical research, or similar process equipment.
• Experience with Lock Out Tag Out.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and understanding of how to disassemble and reassemble basic machines.
• Strong electrical aptitude and basic knowledge of circuits.
• Strong hydraulic aptitude and basic knowledge of fluid dynamics or plumbing.
• Ability to complete work with little to no supervision.

Salary: $30 - $40 per hour