Pilot Plant Team Leader

Syensqo; Anaheim (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Bonus and incentives

16 weeks maternity/paternity leave

Training platform

Free well-being sessions

Job summary

Syensqo in Anaheim, CA is seeking a Pilot Plant Team Leader to drive safety, quality, and performance on our pilot scale operations. You will lead a technically skilled team, manage schedules, and support R&I scale-up to ensure reliable, compliant production. The role offers a competitive salary and strong benefits.

Join us to contribute to advanced polymer processing initiatives and mentor technicians, while collaborating with product development and operations teams to deliver results.

Qualifications

• 10+ years hands-on pilot plant experience in chemical/polymer processing.
• 3+ years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Experience with resin mixing/compounding and continuous web processes.
• Experience with R&I scale-up and evolving manufacturing processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot chemistry, mixing, and prepregging.
• Working knowledge of safety, SDS, MHA, PHA, MOC, and LOTO.

Responsibilities

• Lead with safety, quality, and on-time delivery for pilot plant operations.
• Schedule personnel and equipment to meet evolving timelines.
• Support R&I scale-up and process development in evolving environments.
• Coordinate maintenance, calibrations, and PMs for pilot equipment.
• Collaborate with product development and operations teams.
• Train technicians on assets, SAP use, and operational needs.
• Use data and problem-solving to troubleshoot process issues.

Skills

Safety-first leadership

Hands-on technical competence

Coaching & accountability

Planning & scheduling

Cross-functional teamwork

Quality mindset

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Six Sigma (preferred)

Team leadership

Fabrication skills

Education

High school diploma

Relevant technical degree (preferred)

Tools

SAP

Job description

Syensqo is all about chemistry. We’re not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet’s beauty for the generations to come.

Pilot Plant Team Leader

Permanent contract

USA - Anaheim, CA, US

We are looking for:

Pilot Plant Team Leader

We count on you for:

• Leading with HSE practices applicable to chemical and mechanical processing, including SDS use, hazard communication, PPE, lockout/tagout, machine safety, and incident/near-miss reporting, MHA, PHA, MOC, etc.
• Working knowledge of thermoset and/or thermoplastic polymer processing, including the relationship between temperature, viscosity/rheology, pressure, line speed, coating weight/resin content, reinforcement handling, and final material quality.
• Safely operating industrial/pilot resin mixing, coating/filming, and prepregging equipment for continuous carbon fiber reinforced composites and to troubleshoot process and equipment problems using data, observations, and structured problem solving.
• Managing the scheduling of people and equipment against competing priorities and changing timelines, with the judgment to protect safety and quality while meeting urgent customer and development needs.
• Supporting R&I scale-up or process development in an environment where formulations, equipment settings, and procedures are evolving rather than fully standardized.
• Understanding and implementing formulas, batch sheets, work instructions, process specifications, technical procedures, and engineering drawings or equipment documentation independently.
• Coordinating maintenance, calibrations, PMs, etc.
• Managing plant logistics for raw materials and scheduling for use of shared assets.
• Working on the pilot plant production floor for extended periods and performing the physical activities required to safely operate and clean pilot equipment, including lifting and material handling consistent with site requirements.
• Communicating directly with product development and operations teams to manage needs, priorities, expectations, etc.
• Training and upskilling technicians by cross-training on assets, SAP use, and pilot plant operational needs.
• Using common digital tools for scheduling, data entry, inventory management, documentation, email, and communication; experience with manufacturing or laboratory data systems is a plus.

You will bring:

• High school diploma required; relevant technical degree preferred.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in pilot plant, specialty chemical, polymer, adhesives, coatings, prepreg, composites, film coating, converting, or similar process-manufacturing environments, including 3+ years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with resin mixing/compounding and at least one continuous web process such as film coating, lamination, impregnation, prepregging, calendaring, or converting; experience across hot‑melt resin, film, and prepreg operations strongly preferred.
• Experience with R&I scale‑up and evolving manufacturing processes as a bridge to scale‑up on production equipment.
• Capable of troubleshooting new products from chemistry, mixing, coating and prepregging.
• Working knowledge of equipment, chemical safety, PPE, SDS, MHA, PHA, MOC, and LOTO.

Skills:

• Safety‑first leadership and sound operational judgment.
• Hands‑on technical competence; runs equipment with the team.
• Strong coaching, accountability, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Strong planning, prioritization, scheduling, and adaptability.
• Clear communication and effective cross‑functional teamwork.
• High standards for quality, documentation, housekeeping, and execution.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and handle items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Six sigma certification preferred.
• Able to lead a team of Technicians to complete time‑sensitive tasks that may be new and unique.
• Fabrication skills to build proof of concept processes to safely run under engineering control.

You will get:

• Competitive salary and benefits package. The U.S. base salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position is $85,000 to $105,000 per year.
• Since actual compensation packages are based on a variety of factors unique to each candidate. Total compensation for this role also includes bonus and/or other incentives.
• 16 weeks of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations
• Training platform for all employees
• Free well‑being sessions (physical and psychological)

About Us

• Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
• At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.
• Syensqo is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. #ONSITE #MIDDLE