Process Operator

CycloKinetics•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

CycloKinetics is seeking motivated, safety-focused Plant Process Operators for its Operations team at the Pilot Plant in Salt Lake City, Utah. The role is suited to people with experience in chemical processing, manufacturing, refinery operations, or industrial plant environments who enjoy hands-on technical work and want to contribute to developing biorefinery technologies. Operators run, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain automated chemical processing equipment and work with technical and operations teams to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance and process scale-up. The plant operates continuously, 24 hours a day. After an initial training schedule, operators move to either a five-day schedule of 8-hour shifts or a four-day schedule of 10-hour shifts, depending on operational needs. Average working hours are 40 per week. The position is based on-site in an industrial facility and involves work in office, pilot plant, manufacturing, and industrial environments, with temperatures that may fluctuate due to seasonal conditions and manufacturing operations. Employment is contingent on successful completion of background verification and a drug screen.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED is the minimum education requirement.
0–3 years of work experience in a process environment or process maintenance position in petrochemical/refinery, biorefinery, chemical, food manufacturing, or pharmaceutical industries.
In lieu of direct work experience, higher education studies in a science such as Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry are a minimum.
Technical understanding and manual dexterity.
Mechanical aptitude and a basic understanding of mechanical systems and equipment.
Effective written and verbal communication skills and willingness to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Proficiency with common computer tools and web-based applications.
Strong attention to detail.
Prior experience participating successfully in work teams requiring personal accountability, attention to detail, collaboration, and results.
Safe work habits and ability to perform duties in accordance with company safety policies.
Ability to use provided personal protective equipment; its use is mandatory.

Nice To Haves

Process Technology degree or certificate, or a vocational degree or certification focused on technical, mechanical, or electrical fields.
Production, manufacturing, and/or laboratory work experience.
Fermentation or food processing skills.
Experience with chemicals and chemical processes.
Prior experience handling flammable chemicals.

Responsibilities

Follow Health, Safety, and Environmental requirements, laboratory procedures, work practices, safety protocols, environmental requirements, and applicable GDP, GLP, and GMP practices.
Safely handle, measure, mix, prepare, and transport chemicals according to established procedures and with appropriate PPE.
Operate, monitor, and maintain chemical processing and biorefinery equipment, including start-up, shutdown, batching, cleaning, troubleshooting, and routine operations.
Monitor and control automated plant systems using DCS, PLCs, HMIs, and other computerized process controls.
Record and monitor critical operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow, and humidity, and adjust controls, valves, and operating conditions as needed.
Operate and adjust valves, pumps, compressors, and other processing equipment to regulate process conditions and support production.
Collect and test process samples, interpret quality control results, document findings, and adjust processes to maintain quality and optimize operations.
Troubleshoot process and equipment issues, identify abnormalities, and assist with corrective actions.
Perform daily and weekly preventive maintenance, equipment inspections, basic troubleshooting, repairs, and cleaning.
Assist maintenance and technical teams with equipment installation, removal, rebuilding, repairs, and preventive and predictive maintenance.
Perform basic electrical troubleshooting when trained and authorized, and assist maintenance personnel with equipment-related issues.
Participate in shift handover meetings and communicate process conditions, equipment status, and operational issues.
Maintain operating logs, process data, quality control results, maintenance records, and other documentation supporting plant operations and R&D activities.
Support production targets while maintaining quality, safety, and operational standards.
Promptly report process upsets, equipment malfunctions, quality deviations, and safety or environmental concerns to the Shift Lead, Supervisor, or appropriate plant leadership.
Work independently and collaboratively with operators, engineers, scientists, and maintenance personnel to support continuous improvement and plant operations.
Keep the plant clean by following the sanitation schedule and completing assigned tasks.
Perform additional duties as assigned.