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Pilot Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

3M

Master Pilot Plant Technician*

Cottage Grove, MN · On-site

Job Title Pilot Plant Technician Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it ...

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 ...

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 ...

Doe Run

Pilot Plant Technician

Viburnum, MO · On-site

The Doe Run Company is seeking a Pilot Plant Technician to conduct specific chemical and metallurgical tests in laboratory, piloting, and plant settings, ensuring accurate data collection and ...

3M

Master Pilot Plant Technician*

Cottage Grove, MN · On-site

Job Title Pilot Plant Technician Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it ...

3M

Pilot Plant Technician

Maplewood, MN · On-site

Job Title Pilot Plant Technician Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it ...

Bunge

Pilot Plant Process Specialist

Saint Charles, MO · On-site

United States (US) Requisition Number : 45606 The Pilot Plant Process Specialist works with the Senior Process Leader and Bunge Creative Solutions Center team to provide pilot plant operations and ...

3M

Pilot Plant Technician

Maplewood, MN · On-site

Job Title Pilot Plant Technician Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it ...

Lithium Americas

Pilot Plant Technician

Lithium, MO · On-site

Run and troubleshoot pilot plant equipment that includes key unit operations in a clay extraction process. * Perform regularly scheduled inspections. * Operate mobile equipment such as forklifts ...

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How much do pilot plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 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 does a pilot plant operator do?

A pilot plant operator manages and oversees small-scale production processes in a pilot plant environment to test and develop new products or processes. They operate equipment, monitor process parameters, ensure safety protocols, and document results to support scale-up for commercial manufacturing.

What does a pilot plant do?

A pilot plant is a small-scale industrial system used to test and develop processes before full-scale production. Pilot plant operators oversee operations, monitor equipment, and ensure safety and quality standards are maintained during testing phases. They often work with process engineers and use specialized tools to optimize manufacturing methods.

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

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

In the context of pilot plant roles, high-paying positions such as senior engineering managers, plant directors, or specialized process engineers can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in large manufacturing or pharmaceutical industries. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and often involve leadership responsibilities or profit-sharing arrangements.

What is the highest paying job in plant science?

In plant science, the highest paying roles are often senior research scientists, plant biotechnologists, or plant geneticists, especially those with advanced degrees and specialized skills. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and may involve leadership or management responsibilities, leading to higher salaries within the field.

What are pilot plants and what do they do?

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 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.

More about Pilot Plant jobs
What cities are hiring for Pilot Plant jobs? Cities with the most Pilot Plant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Pilot Plant jobs? The most popular types of Pilot Plant jobs are:
What states have the most Pilot Plant jobs? States with the most job openings for Pilot Plant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Pilot Plant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Pilot Plant jobs are:
Pilot Plant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pilot Plant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% 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 • On-site

Other

Re-posted 2 days ago

LyondellBasell rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 92 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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