Process Engineer/Project Engineer Lead

Company Sixone’s mission is to enable a world where blended plastics products can be circularly recycled back into existing supply chains instead of being sent to landfill. Sixone is a leading technology startup company developing advanced recycling technologies for blended plastics and plastic based products. The technology applies process digitalization and advanced analytics to build a recycling system to enable efficient plastics recycling.

Our goal is to revolutionize the economics of recycled materials through innovative processing and materials technologies. Overview of Role Process Engineer/Project Engineer Lead is a high-impact, dual-mandate role responsible for rapidly transforming Sixone's recycling technology from development into reliable, operational capacity. This leader will have two areas of focus: 1.

Engineering Development: Leading a team to drive Process Scale-Up by managing external technology transfer, prototyping, process optimization, and vendor collaboration to finalize industrial equipment design and documentation. 2. Operational Readiness: Directing a separate team to manage Commissioning and Initial Production Campaigns , ensuring systems are properly installed, validated, and operated for initial startup, including training internal or contractor teams to assume long-term production operations. This role requires a balance of hands-on technical oversight , meticulous project management, and strong people leadership to ensure all scale-up efforts are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards.

Success hinges on close collaboration with R&D, Operations, and key external partners. Responsibilities The successful candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities: Process Scale-Up & Engineering Development Technology Transfer: Lead the technical transfer of R&D processes and prototypes into industrial-scale equipment designs, managing all interactions with external technology providers and engineering firms. Vendor Management: Oversee the selection, collaboration, and performance of equipment vendors and integrators, ensuring their work meets technical specifications, budget, and schedule requirements for full-scale operation.

Design & Documentation: Drive the finalization of equipment design, P&IDs, control logic, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring all documentation is comprehensive and accurate for commissioning and long-term operations. Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify technical roadblocks and engineering design risks, developing and executing mitigation strategies to ensure the integrity and robust performance of the scaled-up process. Commissioning & Initial Production Operations Commissioning Leadership: Direct the planning and execution of all equipment installation, pre-commissioning, and full commissioning activities to ensure safe, quality, and timely system handover.

Operational Team Management: Recruit, train, and manage the technical team responsible for day-to-day operation during initial startup and production campaigns, whether utilizing an internal team or a contract manufacturer. Performance Validation: Oversee initial production runs, collecting and analyzing data to validate process performance against R&D targets, and driving operational troubleshooting and optimization in the field. Training & Handoff: Develop and execute comprehensive training programs for the long-term Operations team (internal or external), ensuring a smooth, fully documented transition of operational ownership post-startup.

Project & People Management Project Delivery: Own the end-to-end project schedule and budget for the scale-up process, providing clear, regular updates and managing resource allocation across both the engineering and production teams. Technical Guidance: Provide day-to-day technical leadership and mentorship to the scale-up and commissioning teams, ensuring the application of sound engineering principles and best operational practices. Cross-functional Collaboration: Act as the primary liaison between R&D, Operations, Finance, and external partners, ensuring alignment on technical scope, project milestones, and production goals.

Candidate Requirements To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline (Chemical, Mechanical, Process, or related). 7+ years of engineering experience, including at least 2+ years in a team leadership role. Strong track record of managing technical teams through prototyping and scale-up. Hands-on problem-solving ability with experience across mechanical, chemical, and control subsystems.

Excellent communication skills; able to translate technical issues to cross-functional stakeholders. Strong organizational and project management skills. Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in British Columbia preferred; candidates eligible for registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) will be considered.

Legally entitled to work in Canada and eligible to travel cross-border to the USA. Why Join Us? Sixone offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth, technical challenges, and leadership experience.

Our team values communication, teamwork, and rigorous problem-solving to tackle industry challenges. We offer a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement. Be part of a pioneering company driving the future of chemical recycling and sustainability and contribute to solving real-world environmental challenges while working with passionate and dedicated colleagues.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.