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Pilot Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arkema

Pilot Plant Technician Job

King Of Prussia, PA · On-site

Develop basic understanding of process control systems and communicate issues to the pilot plant engineer. * Perform analytical quality control tests such as capillary rheometry, % solids analysis ...

LSU AgCenter

Pilot-Plant Manager

Clyde, OH · On-site

Plant Engineering - Provide technical leadership and oversight for all pilot plant equipment, systems, and facility infrastructure. Ensure proper development, implementation, and continuous ...

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 ... Bachelor's degree in food engineering, food science or a similar discipline. ? experience in ...

Ecolab

Pilot Plant Operator

Chicago, IL

$26/hr

Ecolab, the leading global developer of premium cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance products and services for the hospitality, institutional andindustrialmarketsis seeking a Pilot Plant Operator!

Solenis

Pilot Plant Technician

Wilmington, DE · On-site

$58K - $85K/yr

The Pilot Plant Technician supports engineers and scientists in the development, testing, and optimization of processes at the pilot scale, with a focus on paper manufacturing operations. This role ...

Sibelco

Pilot Plant Controls Engineer

Bakersville, NC · On-site

$77K - $91K/yr

Pilot Plant Controls Engineer Location: SP Red Hill At Sibelco, we advance life through materials. For over 150 years, we've been a trusted leader in sourcing, transforming, and distributing ...

Sibelco

Pilot Plant Controls Engineer

Red Hill, SC

$71K - $84K/yr

Pilot Plant Controls Engineer Location: SP Red Hill At Sibelco, we advance life through materials. For over 150 years, we've been a trusted leader in sourcing, transforming, and distributing ...

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Pilot Plant Engineer information

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$14

$28

$78

How much do pilot plant engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for pilot plant engineer 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 are Pilot Plant Engineers?

Pilot Plant Engineers are professionals who design, operate, and optimize small-scale versions of industrial processes, known as pilot plants. Their primary role is to test and refine manufacturing processes before they are scaled up to full production. Pilot Plant Engineers work closely with research scientists and production teams to ensure that new processes are safe, efficient, and economically viable. They also troubleshoot issues, analyze data, and make recommendations for process improvements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pilot Plant Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pilot Plant Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical or process engineering, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and experience in process scale-up. Familiarity with process simulation software (like Aspen Plus or HYSYS), instrumentation, and safety protocols is crucial, along with knowledge of industry standards and potentially certifications such as Six Sigma. Standout soft skills include problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and adapt to evolving project requirements. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure safe, efficient, and innovative development of scalable processes from laboratory to production environments.

What are some common challenges Pilot Plant Engineers face when transitioning from lab-scale to pilot-scale production?

Pilot Plant Engineers often encounter challenges such as scaling up processes while maintaining product quality and consistency, adapting to equipment limitations, and managing increased safety risks. Unlike laboratory work, pilot-scale operations require troubleshooting unexpected equipment behavior and integrating various systems under real-world conditions. Effective collaboration with chemists, operators, and safety teams is essential to address these challenges and ensure seamless process development.

What is the difference between Pilot Plant Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectPilot Plant EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering; often requires experience in pilot plant operationsBachelor's or Master's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering; focus on process design and optimization
Work EnvironmentHands-on work in pilot plants, testing new processes at small scaleOffice and plant settings, analyzing and improving manufacturing processes
Industry UsageUsed in chemical, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries for scale-up testingCommon across manufacturing, chemical, and process industries for process improvement

The Pilot Plant Engineer focuses on operating and testing small-scale pilot plants to develop and validate processes before full-scale production. In contrast, the Process Engineer designs, analyzes, and optimizes manufacturing processes. Both roles require engineering credentials and work closely with production teams, but the Pilot Plant Engineer is more hands-on with pilot testing, while the Process Engineer emphasizes process efficiency and scalability.

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Pilot Plant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pilot Plant Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,395 per year, or $28.1 per hour.
Pilot Plant Engineer III

Pilot Plant Engineer III

LyondellBasell

Channelview, TX

Other

Posted 19 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide daily technical support to Operations personnel to ensure operating targets are met and reliability is maximized in support of experimental goals.

  • Maintain and improve Operating and Maintenance procedures and serve as owner for site Asset Integrity programs.

  • Lead or support unit reliability upgrades, pilot plant commissioning, troubleshooting, and construction activities as needed.

LyondellBasell rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 91 rated chemical manufacturers

Job description

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and our proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future for generations to come.  LYB develops high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LYB places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion and is Advancing Good with an emphasis on our planet, the communities where we operate and our future workforce. We're addressing the global challenges of ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society, while generating value for our customers, investors, and society.

Come Join an Inclusive Team

The Pilot Plant Engineer for the Houston Technology Center is responsible for providing technical support for the daily operation of pilot plants, research laboratories, and facility systems. This role coordinates daily operational activities including safety, reliability, execution of experimental plans, and environmental compliance. The engineer also leads unit reliability improvements, procedure ownership, PHA stewardship, and periodic maintenance programs. The role requires strong technical expertise, problem solving capability, and leadership in safety, reliability, and cross functional collaboration.

A Day in the Life

Operational & Technical Support
Provide daily technical support to Operations personnel to ensure operating targets are met and reliability is maximized in support of experimental goals. 
Track and analyze historical data related to downtime, equipment failures, upsets, and low quality data; develop and implement improvements.
Troubleshoot process issues using historical knowledge and engineering judgment; implement timely solutions.
Investigate unit and equipment upsets, failures, and off target operation; determine root causes with Researchers, Operations, and Maintenance teams.
Serve as the HTC facility historian and provide the foundation for consistent pilot plant operation.
Lead or support unit reliability upgrades, pilot plant commissioning, troubleshooting, and construction activities as needed.
Support Development Engineering (DE) activities and provide backup support to execute small projects 

Procedures & Documentation
Maintain and improve Operating and Maintenance procedures to maximize HSE performance, reliability, and productivity.
Serve as owner for site Asset Integrity programs
Support work order creation, documentation, and workflow.
Collaborate with researchers and engineering to update Unit Operating Manuals.

Safety, Environmental & PHA Ownership
Provide leadership for safety and environmental performance; participate in safety programs, Process Hazard Analyses, and Incident Investigations.
Integrate sound safety and environmental principles into all operational and maintenance activities to support GoalZero performance.
Operation Owner for key facility systems
Manage Thermal Oxidizer runtime/downtime reporting and propane usage reporting.

Maintenance & Reliability Systems
Tracks and analyzes downtime, failures, and data quality issues to drive reliability improvements
Manages Preventive Maintenance (PM) systems and supports maintenance troubleshooting
Serve as SAP site requisitioner for maintenance and procurement needs.
Provide troubleshooting support for maintenance activities.
Manage the Preventive Maintenance (PM) system to ensure timely execution of required tasks.

Training, Mentoring & Collaboration
Promote good operating practices and participate in or lead formal training to improve employee effectiveness.
Mentor new research engineers, chemists, and technicians.
Provide training on work order submission and support procurement activities (SAP PR issuing) as backup.
Maintain broad knowledge of technician capabilities; provide input to improve operational and technical skills.

Team Participation & Cross Functional Roles
Participate in or support the site Maintenance, Incident Investigation, and Process Safety teams and programs
Manage short term contractors as needed.

You Bring This Value

B.S. in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering 
Minimum 5 years of plant support experience
Strong technical understanding of pilot plant chemical processes and operations
Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work with R&D and cross functional teams
Ability to support a 24/7 operational environment

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience in a research & development and/or research lab environment 
Experience in a petrochemical manufacturing plant environment 

What We Offer
Competencies
Build Partnerships
Deliver Results
Drive Innovation
Grow Capabilities
Promote Inclusion
Motivational Fit
Technical Skills

Learn more about our benefits:  Benefits/Health & Welfare | LyondellBasell

Stay Connected!

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    LyondellBasell is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.  The US EEO is the Law poster is available here.
    LYB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation related to LYB's recruiting process, please email us at Careers@lyb.com.
    Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
    LyondellBasell does not accept or retain unsolicited resumes or phone calls and/or respond to them or to any third party representing job seekers.
    Privacy Statement: For information regarding how LyondellBasell processes your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement.

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