Pilot Plant Manager (California, San Leandro)

PHNX Materials • San Leandro, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

About PHNX Materials:
PHNX Materials refines coal ash waste into a sulfate-based fertilizer, and a cement substitute (SCM). Our cost-effective, scalable technology delivers a triple win: providing a low cost fertilizer, helping power producers manage coal ash liabilities, and providing concrete companies a cheaper, greener alternative to cement. With an existing operational pilot facility, PHNX is on a mission to unlock this abundant domestic natural resource.

Role Summary:
As the Pilot Plant Manager at the PHNX pilot facility, you will be responsible for running day-to-day plant operations and turning breakthrough science into repeatable, commercial reality. You will work shoulder to shoulder with engineers, scientists, and operators to operate, troubleshoot, and continuously improve a complex pilot plant converting industrial ash into clean, valuable products. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants full ownership of pilot operations, not a desk job.

Requirements

• Prior experience managing day-to-day operations at a pilot plant
• Hands-on responsibility for pilot plant equipment, operations, and troubleshooting
• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude with direct experience operating equipment
• Experience managing slurry handling, material transfers, and continuous processes
• Ability to make real-time operational decisions
• Strong communication skills and coordinating across engineering, technical, and commercial teams
• Willingness to work hands-on on the plant floor as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting pilot-to-commercial scale-up efforts
• Forklift certification, OSHA safety training, or equivalent industrial safety experience
• Familiarity with SOP development, process documentation, and operational data tracking

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day operations of the PHNX pilot facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and consistent performance
• Guide set up and processes for pilot facility
• Operate and oversee equipment handling high-solids slurries, including tanks, reactors, filter presses, grinders, crushers, pumps, and material handling systems
• Make real-time operational decisions to keep processes running smoothly in a fast-paced environment
• Execute operating procedures to meet performance, quality, and throughput targets
• Lead equipment setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and process issues as they arise
• Adjust operating parameters and flows to ensure product quality and repeatability
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and manage equipment uptime
• Work closely with engineering and technical teams to support process development
• Provide hands-on feedback to improve equipment design, layouts, and operations
• Support customer-facing demonstrations and pilot runs
• Help document learnings, operational data, and best practices to inform future scale-up
• Own day-to-day safety at the pilot facility, enforcing PPE use, appropriate chemical handling, and safe work practices
• Ensure adherence to SOPs, permits, and site safety requirements
• Report and respond to safety incidents, near misses, and operational deviations
• Serve as the central point of coordination between operations, engineering, and commercial teams
• Communicate daily status, issues, and priorities clearly across the organization
• Training, documentation, and knowledge transfer for future operators and facilities

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape and build a facility tackling major environmental challenges.
• Dynamic startup environment with mission-driven team and room for growth.
• The chance to revolutionize heavy industries.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed