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Pilot Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 · On-site

$74K - $87K/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 ...

Haleon plc.

Pilot Plant Lead

Richmond, VA · On-site

$150 - $207/hr

About the role The Richmond Pilot Plant is a critical enabler of Haleon's innovation agenda ... Collaborate with innovation teams, scale‑up engineers, and manufacturing sites to anticipate ...

New

Solcoa Industries

Pilot Plant Operator

Alameda, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

The Role - Plant Operator We're looking for an experienced Plant Operators to run and maintain our ... Collaborate with R&D engineers and technicians on trial runs, process improvements, and scale-up ...

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 ... Working alongside engineers, scientists, maintenance professionals, and operations personnel, you ...

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Pilot Plant Engineer information

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$14

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$78

How much do pilot plant engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 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.

Is plant engineering a stressful job?

Plant engineering can be stressful due to the responsibility of maintaining safe and efficient operations, troubleshooting technical issues, and meeting production deadlines. Engineers often work in fast-paced environments that require problem-solving skills and adherence to safety regulations, which can contribute to job stress.
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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 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% 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.

Pilot Plant Controls Engineer

Sibelco

Bakersville, NC • On-site

$77K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

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 specialty industrial minerals. Our work powers progress across industries as diverse as glass, ceramics, construction, coatings, polymers, and water purification. Beyond our materials, we're proud of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering people from all walks of life to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
Are We the Perfect Match?
At Sibelco, we believe building a successful career is a two-way journey. We're looking for individuals who share our values and vision, just as much as you're seeking a company that aligns with your aspirations. Together, we can shape the future.
Job Description:
Pilot Plant Controls Engineer
Location: Bakersville, NC (Red Hill Location)
At Sibelco, we advance life through materials.
For over 150 years, we've been a trusted leader in sourcing, transforming, and distributing specialty industrial minerals. Our work powers progress across industries as diverse as glass, ceramics, construction, coatings, polymers, and water purification. Beyond our materials, we're proud of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering people from all walks of life to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
Are We the Perfect Match?
At Sibelco, we believe building a successful career is a two-way journey. We're looking for individuals who share our values and vision, just as much as you're seeking a company that aligns with your aspirations. Together, we can shape the future.
As a part of the Technology & Innovation Team the Pilot Plant Controls Engineer role will empower you to play a crucial role in the design, development, and optimization of chemical processes, ensuring they are scalable, efficient, and safe for pilot plant and full-scale production. This position requires a strong background in chemical engineering and process development, coupled with excellent project management and leadership skills.
Your Impact in This Role
As a Controls Engineer, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Lead the development and optimization of chemical processes from laboratory scale to pilot plant scale.
  • Collaborate with R&D scientists to understand experimental data and translate laboratory-scale processes into scalable operations
  • Ability to make Engineering decisions on existing or conceptualized processes and associated equipment
  • Ability to interact with existing suppliers and requests quotations/timing/ specifications
  • Ability to research (literature of all type), chemical and mechanical engineering/scientific principles and report back findings
  • Act upon those findings once agreement is reached with management
  • Ability to research new suppliers and have same interactions as existing ones
  • Person with energy and drive to be at the forefront of processing technologies and ability to schedule themselves accordingly
  • Work closely with the Pilot Plant Manager to ensure smooth scale-up and transfer of processes from the lab to the pilot plant.
  • Collaborate with Quality Control, Production, and Procurement teams to ensure seamless integration of new processes into manufacturing operations.

What You Bring to the Table
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field.
  • Hands-on experience operating and controlling mineral/chemical processing plant systems, including monitoring process parameters, adjusting controls, and ensuring safe, efficient production operations.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development, preferably in the Chemical, Metallurgical, Mineral/mining industry.
  • Proven track record of successfully scaling up processes from lab to pilot plant.
  • Strong project management skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency in process simulation software and data analysis tools.
  • Fluency in the local language and written and spoken English.

Benefits
  • Medical Insurance
  • Prescription Drug Benefits
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Salary
Salary is to be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.
Employee Type:
Permanent
Why Join Us?
Sibelco is more than a workplace-it's a community that encourages growth, innovation, and collaboration. Here's what you can look forward to when you join our team:
  • Meet Our People: Careers
  • Learn About Our Recruitment Process: Learn More
  • Discover Our Sustainability Goals: Sibelco priorities

We also welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to support you through the selection process.
How to Apply
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook to learn more about life at Sibelco. Submit your application in the Apply option.
Please note: We do not require agency services as we have a dedicated Global Talent Acquisition Team.

Apply