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Air Separation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

* You will monitor and operate over 450 air separation facilities across the U.S. and Canada from a centralized control room environment * You will respond to alarms, troubleshoot plant issues remotely ...

* You will remotely monitor and operate over 450 air separation facilities using advanced control systems * Further, you will respond promptly to alarms and troubleshoot plant issues via phone and ...

* You will remotely monitor and operate over 450 air separation facilities using advanced control systems * Further, you will respond promptly to alarms and troubleshoot plant issues via phone and ...

Air Separation Plant or related industrial experience is a plus. * Water Treatment - understanding the water treatment principles and equipment is a plus. * Refrigeration - A basic understanding of ...

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Air Separation information

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$13

$33

$56

How much do air separation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for air separation in the United States is $33.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $44.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?

In the field of air separation, roles involving manual operation of older equipment or manual monitoring may decline as automation and advanced control systems become more prevalent. Jobs requiring routine tasks are likely to be replaced by automated processes, emphasizing skills in automation, control systems, and maintenance of modern equipment. Overall, traditional roles with limited technical requirements are expected to diminish by 2030.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Air Separation position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Air Separation, you need a strong understanding of industrial gas production processes, mechanical aptitude, and often a degree or certification in chemical, mechanical, or process engineering. Familiarity with Distributed Control Systems (DCS), cryogenic technology, and relevant safety standards such as OSHA is commonly required. Attention to detail, effective problem-solving, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are valuable soft skills in this field. These skills are essential to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of air separation units in industrial environments.

What is an Air Separation job?

An Air Separation job typically involves operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment used to separate atmospheric air into its primary components—oxygen, nitrogen, and argon—through cryogenic or non-cryogenic processes. Workers in this field monitor production, ensure safety compliance, and optimize plant efficiency. They may work in industries such as medical gas production, metallurgy, or chemical manufacturing.

How does air separation work?

Air separation involves cooling atmospheric air to very low temperatures to liquefy it, then gradually warming it in a distillation column to separate its main components—oxygen, nitrogen, and argon—based on their different boiling points. This process requires specialized equipment, such as cryogenic distillation units, and is commonly performed by trained technicians in industrial settings.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of air separation, high-paying roles such as senior plant managers, process engineers, or executive positions in large industrial companies can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. These roles often require extensive technical expertise, management skills, and sometimes ownership stakes or profit-sharing arrangements.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in Air Separation operations?

A typical day in Air Separation operations involves monitoring plant performance, troubleshooting system alarms, conducting routine maintenance checks, and coordinating with other team members or departments, such as quality control and logistics. Operators often utilize control systems to adjust parameters and maintain efficient production of oxygen, nitrogen, and other atmospheric gases. Safety checks and adherence to strict operational protocols are a critical part of the daily responsibilities. This role offers consistent teamwork, but also requires individual accountability, ensuring both plant reliability and a safe work environment.

What is the highest paid environmental job?

In the field of air separation, the highest paid environmental jobs are often senior engineering or management roles such as plant managers or environmental health and safety directors, which require specialized technical knowledge and certifications. These positions typically offer higher salaries due to their responsibility for overseeing large industrial processes and ensuring environmental compliance.
More about Air Separation jobs
What cities are hiring for Air Separation jobs? Cities with the most Air Separation job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Air Separation jobs? The most popular types of Air Separation jobs are:
What states have the most Air Separation jobs? States with the most job openings for Air Separation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Air Separation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Air Separation jobs are:
Infographic showing various Air Separation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,665 per year, or $34 per hour.
Air Separation Unit Specialist

Air Separation Unit Specialist

Ineos Pigments

Ashtabula, OH

$15 - $20.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

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Job Openings >> Air Separation Unit Specialist
Air Separation Unit Specialist
Summary
Title: Air Separation Unit Specialist ID: 62174 Location: Ashtabula, Ohio Department: Operations Campaign Date: N/A
More about this job >
Description

At INEOS Pigments, we value the contribution of our people in making us one of the largest producers of titanium dioxide in North America. Providing numerous products and services to industries around the globe, from coatings to plastics to paper and other end-uses, we invest in employee development and offer a wide range of career opportunities, offering everyone the chance to broaden their experience and build a professionally rewarding career.
 

The Air Separation Unit (ASU) Specialist provides day-to-day technical leadership for a cryogenic Air Separation Unit. This role integrates operations support including guaranteeing product purity (Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Argon), process troubleshooting, procedure development, training, and maintenance strategy oversight to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance. It is classified as a Safety Critical role.

Key activities include:

  • Adhere to INEOS Pigments' 20 principles of process and Behavioral Safety and Life Saving Rules
  • Provide day-to-day technical support for ASU operations (O, N, Ar production)
  • Troubleshoot complex, non-routine system process fluctuations and manage swift, safe recovery actions during unplanned shutdowns
  • Maximize plant reliability and efficiency by continuously fine-tuning process variables such as flow rates, temperatures, and pressures.
  • Support and lead derime and cool-down, startups, shutdowns, and load changes
  • Optimize plant performance, energy efficiency, and product recovery
  • Develop and maintain operating procedures and best practices
  • Lead operator training, qualification, and knowledge transfer
  • Standardize startup/shutdown and upset recovery procedures
  • Define maintenance strategies for critical ASU equipment (pumps, centrifugal compressors, expanders, product purification units, cryogenic distillation columns, valves)
  • Identify and implement reliability and efficiency improvements
  • Analyze plant data and trends to prevent failures and optimize performance
  • Support debottlenecking and capacity improvements
  • Support planning and execution of outages and turnarounds
  • Lead or participate in RCFA, FMEA, and reliability improvement initiatives
  • Partner with maintenance teams to prioritize work and improve equipment performance
  • Ensure adherence to all safety, environmental, and PSM requirements
  • Participate in HAZOPs, audits, and risk assessments
  • Reinforce a strong safety culture across operations and maintenance
  • Other duties as assigned
 
You should possess:   
  • Must have direct Air Separation Unit (ASU) experience
  • Either:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or related) with 5-8 years of ASU experience, OR
  • Non-degreed (High school diploma / technical training) ASU expert with 15-20 years hands-on experience
  • Strong knowledge and deep expertise in the mechanics of cryogenic distillation systems, molecular sieve purification beds, and turbo-expanders.
  • Experience with rotating equipment (pumps, compressors)
  • Familiarity with Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
  • Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving ability
  • Fluent capability to interpret complex Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), electrical schematics and thermodynamic flow charts
  • Be able to use analytical processes (appraise a situation, develop supporting plans, make decisions, generate innovative ideas, analyze and troubleshoot operational problems); Six Sigma training a plus
  • Experience with reliability tools (RCFA, FMEA) is desired
  • Working knowledge of chemical/industrial equipment function, design, and regulatory requirements and Process Safety Management and ISO systems and procedures
  • Functionality with various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Office Suite and SAP
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with all levels of employees

Schedule/Hours

This is a salaried, exempt position with typical work hours of 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., M - F.                                                                            Flexible Schedule: the ability to work on a 9/80 work schedule


Our Ashtabula, Ohio Complex, consisting of two plants just south of Lake Erie, is a state of the art manufacturing complex with leading technology and more than 45 years of manufacturing excellence.
INEOS Pigments offers a competitive salary with an annual bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability with the buy-up option, basic life & AD&D insurance with a buy-up option for self and dependents, 401(k) with company match.

EOE M/F/Vet/Disabled
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