Pilot Plant Operator - Technician

Sea Dragon Energy, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Sea Dragon Energy, Inc. is seeking a Pilot Plant Operator-Technician to support a rotating shift operation at the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park in Kailua-Kona, HI. The role involves operating and maintaining chemical process skids, monitoring performance, and ensuring safety with PPE.

You will perform basic repairs, handle samples in the site lab, and participate in 12-hour shift campaigns, including nights as needed. Prior manufacturing or pilot plant experience is required.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe working environment with chemical process equipment and PPE.
• Operate chemical process skids and PLC interfaces, valves, pumps, compressors, electrolyzers, and reactors.
• Monitor skid operation; identify problems and adjust parameters; troubleshoot deviations.
• Acquire chemical samples from process skids and analyze them in the site lab.
• Perform basic maintenance checks and repairs; coordinate with vendors for advanced repairs.
• Respond to spills with corrective action.
• Operate forklift as required; no prior forklift experience needed.
• Work rotating 12-hour shifts, including night shifts during operating campaigns.

Skills

Proactive communication

Safety awareness

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical aptitude

Hydraulic aptitude

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma/GED

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.