Plant Engineer

Kelly; Collegeville (PA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPE provided

Job summary

Kelly is seeking a Pilot Plant Technologist in the Collegeville, PA area. The role involves leading safe and efficient operation of pilot plant areas, coordinating tasks, and driving process improvements. You will mentor technicians, participate in training reviews, and ensure safety standards are followed.

On-site with Teams option for non-local candidates. Requirements include an Associate Degree in Chemistry/Biology or related field, plus relevant experience or education in process

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; local variations may apply.
• Associates degree with relevant work experience preferred.
• Education in process technology or engineering is a plus.
• Internship or co‑op experience in chemical/pharma industries preferred.
• Proficient computer skills, especially Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook).
• Experience with process control systems such as LabView, Siemens, or DeltaV.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills demonstrated through projects or leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe and efficient operation of assigned plant areas.
• Assign tasks to ensure Master Task List completion.
• Lead troubleshooting to resolve process deviations and improve team results.
• Coordinate process upset crisis responses with technicians as needed.
• Drive plant performance improvements and operating discipline.
• Analyze inputs to optimize process control, asset use, and yields.
• Oversee process equipment troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance.
• Collaborate with engineers to plan turnarounds and project scopes.
• Evaluate technician performance and identify development needs.
• Identify knowledge gaps and define training needs.
• Participate in Training Review Boards and evaluation processes.
• Ensure Life Critical Standards are adhered to and safety culture.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork skills

Education

Associate degree in Chemistry/Biology

Associates Degree + relevant work experience

Education in process technology or engineering

Internship or co‑op experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook)

LabView/Siemens/DeltaV

Job description

Kelly is currently seeking an experienced Pilot Plant Technologist for an exciting opportunity in the Collegeville, PA area!

Title: Pilot Plant Technologist

Pay range: $25 - $35/hr.

• This role works directly with technicians and scientists engineers in pilot plant and lab facilities to assist with training of personnel to meet safety compliance requirements as well as technology specific skill sets and knowledge.
• Works with the group to maintain safe and proficient delivery from research personnel via continuous learning programs developed through role specific skills and experience.
• In this role, you will develop full proficiency in a range of technical processes and procedures through job-related training and on-the-job experience.
• You will need to be able to apply knowledge of technical processes and procedures to perform a range of work assignments.
• You need to understand how multiple teams coordinate efforts and resources to achieve objectives and be able to explain complex technical information to members of your own team and other teams.
• It is your responsibility to provide solutions to operational or analytical problems using established procedures and practices.
• You will serve as informal resource on analytical, scientific method, or operational processes for less experienced team members. Your performance impacts the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of your own work and your team’s work. You will receive supervision on new complex assignments.

Responsibilities – Duties, projects, tasks, and activities you would be responsible for in this role

• Applies technical proficiency to lead safe and efficient operation of assigned plant areas
• Assigns and performs tasks to ensure Master Task List completion (e.g. Field checks, equipment preparation, samples, etc.)
• Leads trouble shooting efforts to resolve process related deviations and problems and impacts the team's results through effectiveness of own work and helps facilitate Root Cause Investigations
• Assigns process upset crisis response activities to group technicians as needed
• Leads improvements in plant performance and Operating discipline, including creating, improving, and approving job procedures and provides solutions to analytical or scientific problems in situations that are atypical
• Analyzes plant inputs to drive process control, asset utilization, conversion costs, production yields, and identifies opportunities for plant optimization
• Leads and directs process equipment troubleshooting, minor repairs, improvements and preventative maintenance
• Collaborates with engineers and leadership to plan plant turnarounds and set scope for special projects
• Evaluates lower level technicians for development, performance review, and disciplinary needs
• Identifies knowledge gaps and then defines training needs to resolve gaps.
• Participates in Training Review Boards and provides input to the evaluation and approval process
• Ensures Life Critical Standards are adhered to, drives facility safety and training culture via example

Qualifications

Associate Degree in Chemistry, Biology, or equivalent local education required. (Local requirements may vary).

Associates Degree + relevant work experience preferred.

Education in process technology or engineering

Internship or co‑op experience in relevant industries (chemical, pharmaceutical, etc.)

Proficient computer skills, especially Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook)

Experience with process control systems such as LabView, Siemens, or DeltaV

Strong communication and teamwork skills, demonstrated through projects, collaboration, or leadership

PPE & Requirements:

PPE provided: lab coat, safety glasses, safety shoes

Some one‑off items (e.g., prescription safety glasses) may need to be self‑procured

No driving required beyond normal commute

No TWIC card required

Interview Process:

Two rounds total

1st round: Phone screen with hiring manager for role overview + initial fit

2nd round: Panel or small‑group interview with team members

Preferably on‑site, but Teams available for non‑local candidates