Pilot Plant Manager; California, San Leandro

Overview

About PHNX Materials PHNX Materials refines coal ash waste into a sulfate-based fertilizer, and a cement substitute (SCM). Our cost-effective, scalable technology delivers a triple win: providing a low cost fertilizer, helping power producers manage coal ash liabilities, and providing concrete companies a cheaper, greener alternative to cement. With an existing operational pilot facility, PHNX is on a mission to unlock this abundant domestic natural resource.

As the Pilot Plant Manager at the PHNX pilot facility, you will be responsible for running day-to-day plant operations and turning breakthrough science into repeatable, commercial reality. You will work shoulder to shoulder with engineers, scientists, and operators to operate, troubleshoot, and continuously improve a complex pilot plant converting industrial ash into clean, valuable products. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants full ownership of pilot operations, not a desk job.

• Own day-to-day operations of the PHNX pilot facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and consistent performance
• Guide set up and processes for pilot facility
• Operate and oversee equipment handling high-solids slurries, including tanks, reactors, filter presses, grinders, crushers, pumps, and material handling systems
• Make real-time operational decisions to keep processes running smoothly in a fast-paced environment
• Execute operating procedures to meet performance, quality, and throughput targets

• Lead equipment setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and process issues as they arise
• Adjust operating parameters and flows to ensure product quality and repeatability
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and manage equipment uptime

• Work closely with engineering and technical teams to support process development
• Provide hands-on feedback to improve equipment design, layouts, and operations
• Support customer-facing demonstrations and pilot runs
• Help document learnings, operational data, and best practices to inform future scale-up

• Own day-to-day safety at the pilot facility, enforcing PPE use, appropriate chemical handling, and safe work practices
• Ensure adherence to SOPs, permits, and site safety requirements
• Report and respond to safety incidents, near misses, and operational deviations

• Serve as the central point of coordination between operations, engineering, and commercial teams
• Communicate daily status, issues, and priorities clearly across the organization
• Training, documentation, and knowledge transfer for future operators and facilities

• Prior experience managing day-to-day operations at a pilot plant
• Hands-on responsibility for pilot plant equipment, operations, and troubleshooting
• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude with direct experience operating equipment
• Experience managing slurry handling, material transfers, and continuous processes
• Ability to make real-time operational decisions
• Strong communication skills and coordinating across engineering, technical, and commercial teams
• Willingness to work hands-on on the plant floor as needed.

• Experience supporting pilot-to-commercial scale-up efforts
• Forklift certification, OSHA safety training, or equivalent industrial safety experience
• Familiarity with SOP development, process documentation, and operational data tracking

• Opportunity to shape and build a facility tackling major environmental challenges.
• Dynamic startup environment with mission-driven team and room for growth.
• The chance to revolutionize heavy industries.

PHNX Materials is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.