ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Pilot Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fortera Corporation

Plant Operator

Redding, CA

$29 - $34/hr

... pilot plant personnel, a candidate's willingness and ability to travel and relocate may be considered in hiring decisions. This position reports directly to the Senior Plant Engineer.

Fortera Corporation

Plant Operator

Redding, CA · On-site

... pilot plant personnel, a candidate's willingness and ability to travel and relocate may be considered in hiring decisions. This position reports directly to the Senior Plant Engineer.

Lithium Americas

Pilot Plant Technician

Lithium, MO · On-site

Run and troubleshoot pilot plant equipment that includes key unit operations in a clay extraction ... Work and collaborate with engineers and analytical chemists to execute specific research projects.

Polynt Group

Pilot Plant Chemist/Engineer

North Kansas City, MO · On-site

$20.25 - $27.25/hr

Pilot Plant Chemist/Engineer North Kansas City, MO. Schedule: 2 pm to 10 pm Monday to Friday. About Polynt Composites USA: Polynt Composites USA is a global leader in the manufacturing of composites ...

Polynt S.p.A.

Pilot Plant Chemist/Engineer

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$20.25 - $27.25/hr

Pilot Plant Chemist/Engineer North Kansas City, MO. Schedule: 2 pm to 10 pm Monday to Friday. About Polynt Composites USA: Polynt Composites USA is a global leader in the manufacturing of composites ...

Ingevity

Plant Chemist

North Charleston, SC · On-site

The Plant Chemist, Pilot Plant will take ownership of the Innovation Center chemical pilot plant ... Working closely with R&D, Operations, and Engineering, they will play a critical role in advancing ...

Ingevity

Plant Chemist

North Charleston, SC · On-site

The Plant Chemist, Pilot Plant will take ownership of the Innovation Center chemical pilot plant ... Working closely with R&D, Operations, and Engineering, they will play a critical role in advancing ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsPilot Plant Engineer Jobs

Pilot Plant Engineer information

See salary details

$14

$28

$78

How much do pilot plant engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 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 is a pilot plant engineer?

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?

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.

More about Pilot Plant Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Pilot Plant Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Pilot Plant Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Pilot Plant Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Pilot Plant Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Pilot Plant Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Pilot Plant Engineer jobs are:
Pilot Plant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pilot Plant Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,395 per year, or $28.1 per hour.

Senior Bioprocess Equipment Reliability Engineer - Pilot Plant (JP15631)

3 Key Consulting

Thousand Oaks, CA

$42 - $48/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Senior Bioprocess Equipment Reliability Engineer – Pilot Plant - (JP15631)
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA. 91307
Employment Type: Contract
Business Unit: Pilot Plant Engineering
Duration: 12 months with likely extensions and/or conversion to permanent
Posting Date: 07/27/2026
Pay Rate: $42 - $48/hour W2 with benefits
Note: 100% Onsite pref. local candidate.
8-5PM with potential overtime and on-call rotation. 
3 Key Consulting is hiring Facilities Engineer for a consulting engagement with our direct client, a leading global biopharmaceutical company.
Job Description:
This role serves as an Equipment Sr. Engineer supporting manufacturing in the Thousand Oaks Pilot Plant (non-GMP environment). The engineer is responsible for the reliability, performance, and lifecycle management of assigned process equipment (e.g., bioreactors, chromatography skid, single-use and stainless systems).
The position provides day-to-day onsite technical support to operations, with emphasis on troubleshooting, maintenance coordination, and data-driven decision-making. The engineer partners closely with Operations and support functions to guide technical decisions during equipment issues, process changes, and system improvements, without directly operating equipment.
This role also supports preventive maintenance strategy, asset management (e.g., Maximo), and new equipment introduction, ensuring systems are effectively integrated and maintained for
evolving process needs. Additionally, the engineer is expected to identify opportunities to leverage digital tools and Al to enhance troubleshooting, reliability, and workflow efficiency.
This role requires independence, technical depth, a strong reliability mindset, and effective cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced development environment.
Why is the Position Open?
Supplement additional workload on team
Top Must Have Skills:
  • Equipment Troubleshooting & RCA: Can independently diagnose issues and clearly explain
    root cause and resolution
  • System Ownership & Reliability: Experience owning equipment, managing PMs, and improving
    reliability using data
  • Cross-Functional Communication: Works effectively with Ops, Maintenance, and support
    teams; communicates clearly during issues
     
Basic Qualifications:
Doctorate degree OR Masters degree and 2 years of experience OR Bachelors degree and 4 yearsof experience (Can accept 2 years of experience as long as they have a relevant Pharma-manufacturing engineer experience) OR Associates degree and 8 years of experience OR High school diploma / GED and 10 years of experience
Day to day responsibilities:
  • Provide engineering support for bioprocess equipment including systems such as bioreactors, chromatography skids, TFF/UFDF, cleaning, single-use and stainless systems to ensure reliable operation
  • Troubleshoot equipment issues, lead root cause analysis, and implement solutions to improve performance and reliability
  • Identify and mitigate equipment risks (e.g., failure modes, obsolescence) and drive proactive improvements
  • Apply engineering fundamentals (thermodynamics, fluid systems, piping, electrical, process controls) to evaluate and resolve issues
  • Utilize Maximo (or similar CMMS) to manage work orders, track asset history, and support maintenance planning
  • Analyze system and process data using engineering and statistical methods (e.g., trend analysis, SPC) to support decision-making and continuous improvement
  • Support equipment design, commissioning, startup, and system integration for new or modified systems
  • Translate process and operational needs into engineering solutions and documentation
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Instrumentation, Facilities, and Process Development
  • Manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced environment
  • Identify and implement opportunities to leverage digital tools and Al to improve efficiency and troubleshooting
  • Apply appropriate GMP awareness where relevant while operating effectively in a non-GMP pilot plant environment
  • Lead or support small scope engineering projects, including planning, execution, and cross-functional coordination, to address operational needs and drive continuous improvement.
  • Maintain a consistent on-site presence to support daily operations, with flexibility to provide weekend shift coverage and after-hours support as needed.

Red Flags:
• Superficial troubleshooting (can't explain how they resolved the issue)
• No ownership experience (only supported work, no accountability)
• Poor cross-functional mindset (blames others, lacks coordination examples
• No Computerized maintenance system / Maximo experience
• Inability/non-committal to relocate and work onsite
• Not data-driven (no use of trends/metrics)
• Cannot speak to resume in detail
• No work experience
Interview process:
1. Phone Screening with Hiring Manager
2. Video Panel Interview with Engineer team
3. Video Panel Interview with Manager team
We invite qualified candidates to send your resume to resumes@3keyconsulting.com.  If you decide that you’re not interested in pursuing this particular position, please feel free to take a look at the other positions on our website www.3keyconsulting.com/careers. You are also welcome to share this opportunity with anyone you think might be interested in applying for this role.