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Pilot Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Roquette Frères

Pilot Plant Supervisor

Geneva, IL · On-site

$82K - $95K/yr

As the R&D Pilot Plant Supervisor, you will be responsible for the day to day operations of our pilot plant facility including set-up, execution, and clean-up of experimental trials, ongoing and ...

Roquette

Pilot Plant Supervisor

Geneva, IL · On-site

$82K - $95K/yr

As the R&D Pilot Plant Supervisor, you will be responsible for the day to day operations of our pilot plant facility including set-up, execution, and clean-up of experimental trials, ongoing and ...

Arkema

Pilot Plant Technician Job

King Of Prussia, PA · On-site

Pilot Plant Manager Join Arkema's Innovation Team Arkema's North America Corporate R&D Headquarters in King of Prussia, PA is seeking aPilot Plant Technician to join our multi-business unit pilot ...

Ingredion Incorporated

The Food Pilot Plant Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational management of the BridgewaterFood Pilot Plant. This role oversees all pilot plant activities supporting global ...

LSU AgCenter

Pilot-Plant Manager

Clyde, OH

Pilot-Plant Manager Position Type:Professional / Unclassified Department:LSUAG PL3 - SNFS - Food Incubator (Amogh Ambardekar (00330165)) Work Location:Clyde Ingram Hall - Poultry Science Pay Grade:

JRG Partners

Pilot Plant Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$135K - $160K/yr

The Pilot Plant Manager will be responsible for the following ? be the subject matter expert for all pilot and labs tests with 3rd party partners. ? work side by side with Chefs, Food Scientists and ...

CPChem

Pilot Plant Operator

Bartlesville, OK · On-site

The Pilot Plant Operator will operate various processes supporting the day-to-day operations of the PSM Pilot Plant units. The pilot plant operator will perform day to day monitoring of processes ...

Kraft Heinz Company

Pilot Plant Technician

Glenview, IL · On-site

$56K - $71K/yr

Perform pilot plant duties in compliance with established policies, safety standards, GMP requirements, and food safety and quality guidelines. The employee must be able to: * Execute trial plans by ...

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Pilot Plant information

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$78

How much do pilot plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for pilot plant in the United States is $28.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $30.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pilot plant?

Pilot plants are small-scale industrial systems used to test and optimize processes before they are implemented at full production scale. They allow companies to experiment with new products, processes, or technologies in a controlled environment, helping to identify potential challenges and improve efficiency. Pilot plants are essential for scaling up laboratory research and ensuring that large-scale manufacturing will be safe, cost-effective, and successful. Engineers and scientists use pilot plants to gather data, validate equipment, and refine process parameters before making significant investments in full-scale facilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pilot plant operator?

To thrive as a Pilot Plant Operator, you need a strong background in chemical engineering or a related field, practical laboratory experience, and a solid understanding of process operations. Familiarity with process control systems, data acquisition software, and safety protocols is typically required, along with certifications like OSHA safety training. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and innovative operation of pilot-scale processes, bridging the gap between laboratory research and full-scale production.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a pilot plant environment?

Professionals in a pilot plant often encounter challenges related to scaling up processes from laboratory to industrial scale, which can involve troubleshooting equipment, managing variability in raw materials, and ensuring safety compliance. The environment is highly collaborative, requiring close coordination with R&D, process engineers, and production teams to test and refine new products or manufacturing methods. Adapting quickly to changing project priorities and dealing with unexpected technical issues are also common aspects of the role. Emphasizing flexibility, problem-solving skills, and effective communication will help you thrive in this dynamic setting.

What is the difference between Pilot Plant vs Process Technician?

AspectPilot PlantProcess Technician
CredentialsEngineering degree or technical certificationTechnical diploma or certification in process operations
Work EnvironmentResearch facilities, manufacturing pilot linesProduction floors, manufacturing plants
Industry UsageResearch & development, scale-up projectsOperational, maintenance roles in manufacturing

While a Pilot Plant involves designing, testing, and scaling up processes in a controlled environment, a Process Technician focuses on operating and maintaining production equipment in manufacturing settings. Both roles require technical skills, but Pilot Plant positions are more research-oriented, whereas Process Technicians are hands-on operators in daily production.

What does a pilot plant operator do?

A pilot plant operator manages and oversees small-scale production processes in a pilot plant setting to test and develop new products or processes. They operate equipment, monitor conditions, collect data, and ensure safety and quality standards are maintained during experimentation and process validation.
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Pilot Plant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pilot Plant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,395 per year, or $28.1 per hour.

Pilot Plant Supervisor

Geneva, IL • On-site

Roquette Frères
See more jobs at Roquette Frèresexternal

$82K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients.
Want to help us make a difference?
Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients.
Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles.
The Role:
We are looking for our next R&D Pilot Plant Supervisor to join our R&D Team.
Roquette is a leader in plant-based ingredients, dedicated to innovation and excellence. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced R&D Pilot Plant Supervisor to join our dynamic team. This role is crucial in driving our research and development efforts to new heights, ensuring we remain at the forefront of technological advancements.
As the R&D Pilot Plant Supervisor, you will be responsible for the day to day operations of our pilot plant facility including set-up, execution, and clean-up of experimental trials, ongoing and preventative maintenance of pilot equipment, managing of pilot related external services (janitorial, pest control, etc.), and providing ideas for continuous improvement. Additionally, you will be responsible for overseeing the Health, Safety and Environmental activities as well as the Food Quality program for the Americas R&D team.
This role will report directly to the Process Development Team Lead.
This is on-site position located in Geneva, IL.
Compensation:
The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $82,000-$95,000. In addition, this position may also be eligible to earn performance-based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
What You'll Do:
Pilot Plant Operations Management:
  • Responsible for the day-to-day operations of our pilot plant facility including set-up, execution, and clean-up of experimental trials according to the weekly pilot plant schedule.
  • Ensure experimental runs are executed safely and according to protocols and timelines.
  • Monitor equipment and process performance and troubleshoot operational issues.
  • Ensure pilot plant operates (materials, labor, maintenance) within allotted budget.
  • Track and optimize resource utilization (raw materials, energy, equipment time).

Process Development & Scale-Up:
  • Translate R&D concepts into scalable processes.
  • Collaborate with scientists and engineers to optimize processes, recipes, or production methods.
  • Identify risks in the pilot plant operations.
  • Validate process reproducibility and robustness.

Equipment & Facility Oversight:
  • Maintain pilot plant equipment, contacting equipment vendors or contractors when needed, including preventative maintenance and calibration.
  • Plan and supervise modifications or upgrades to pilot plant infrastructure.
  • Work with process development engineers on new equipment design or acquisition.
  • Manage utilities (steam, water, compressed air, etc.) critical for operations.

Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Compliance: (engineering degree needed)
  • Enforce strict safety standards and regulatory compliance (e.g., OSHA, GMP, etc.).
  • Conduct risk assessments (HAZOP, safety reviews).
  • Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
  • Train staff on safe operating procedures and emergency protocols.

Team Leadership & Training
  • Supervise future state pilot plant technicians and co-ops.
  • Provide hands-on training for experimental procedures and equipment use.
  • Schedule staffing and ensure adequate coverage for trials.
  • Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Experiment Planning & Execution
  • Collaborate with R&D teams to plan pilot trials.
  • Ensure accurate execution and adherence to experimental design according to operating parameters, and success criteria.
  • Adjust conditions in real time based on observations or data.

Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting
  • Collecting and recording accurate process data.
  • Ensuring data integrity and traceability.
  • Providing operational observations and trial summaries.
  • Supporting engineers and scientists with the information needed for analysis.
  • Assist in technical reports summarizing findings and recommendations.
  • Maintain proper documentation for traceability and compliance.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, safety, and quality.
  • Implement new technologies or methodologies.
  • Support innovation initiatives and experimentation capabilities.

What You'll Need:
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field (+2 years of experience)
  • High School Diploma or Associate Degree with minimum 5 years of industrial food or ingredient processing experience

Additional beneficial skills
  • Strong chemical/process engineering knowledge (or relevant field), experience operating food equipment in a GMP environment is a plus.
    • Hands-on technical expertise with pilot-scale equipment
    • Leadership and team management skills
    • Problem-solving and troubleshooting ability
    • Knowledge of safety and regulatory frameworks
    • Excellent communication across technical and operational teams

Work Environment
  • This role spends approximately 30% of the time in an office environment and 70% of the time in the pilot plant environment.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
  • This is a full-time position. Days and flexible hours of work are required to meet project, manufacturing and business demands.

AAP/EEO Statement
Roquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. "AAP, EEO, Drug-Free Workplace"
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
If you identify yourself in this position, please apply by uploading your resume and let's start the journey together!
Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences.
Roquette strives to create a dynamic workforce while remaining firmly committed to equal opportunity by complying with EEO laws.
As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approach.
To find out more about our products, values and sustainable development ambitions visit us at www.roquette.com and at www.sustainability.roquette.com

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