Pilot Plant Operator

Your Job

Koch-Glitsch is currently hiring for an R&D Pilot Plant Technician. In this role, you will operate pilot-scale process equipment and work side-by-side with technicians and engineers to execute research testing, evaluate new technologies, and support product development efforts. This position is ideal for operators and technicians from refinery, chemical processing, oilfield, wastewater treatment, or similar industrial process environments who enjoy hands-on work, troubleshooting equipment, and solving operational challenges.

This position is not eligible for VISA Sponsorship.

Shift : We currently have two openings available, each supporting a different shift schedule. Candidates will be considered for one of the following options:

Second Shift : Monday through Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight). This schedule consists of five shifts per week, with each workday ending at midnight.

Third Shift : Monday through Thursday, 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., working four 10-hour shifts, with the final shift ending Friday morning at 8:00 a.m.

Please indicate your preferred shift schedule during the application process.

What You Will Do

• Operate pilot-scale distillation and process equipment using PLC control systems while monitoring pressures, temperatures, flow rates, levels, and overall process conditions.
• Collect, document, and analyze process data and chemical samples to support testing activities and project objectives.
• Install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain instrumentation, controls, and pilot plant equipment used in research operations.
• Prepare, modify, and maintain test equipment including pumps, heat exchangers, piping, tubing, insulation, and other mechanical systems.
• Safely handle chemicals, execute test procedures, support equipment startups and shutdowns, and respond appropriately to abnormal operating conditions.
• Support fabrication, modification, and repair of test equipment and prototypes through welding, metal forming, 3D printing, and other mechanical work as experience allows.
• Maintain compliance with all safety requirements and safe work practices, including HAZWOPER, confined space entry, hot work permitting, lockout/tagout, forklift operation, hoist operation, respirator use, and related safety programs.
• Apply sound operator judgment by identifying potential issues, communicating concerns, asking questions when conditions are unclear, and collaborating with technicians and engineers to achieve successful testing outcomes.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Experience operating or supporting equipment in a refinery, chemical processing facility, pilot plant, oilfield operation, wastewater treatment facility, power generation facility, or similar commercial process plant environment.
• Experience working with process equipment, instrumentation, controls, mechanical systems, maintenance activities, or plant operations.
• Experience following operating procedures, safety requirements, permits, or standard work practices in an industrial environment.
• Ability to be clean shaven and fit tested to wear a respirator as required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to squat, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand for up to 10 hours in a non-climate-controlled plant environment.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders multiple times throughout the day.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience operating refinery, chemical processing, petrochemical, gas processing, or other industrial process equipment, including startup, shutdown, monitoring, and troubleshooting activities.
• Experience with instrumentation and controls including installation, calibration, troubleshooting, controller tuning, or maintenance support.
• Experience operating PLC- or DCS-controlled process equipment.
• Mechanical, pipefitting, welding, rotating equipment, pump, heat exchanger, or maintenance experience, including the ability to read and interpret P&IDs and equipment drawings.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .

Who We Are

As a Koch Engineered Solutions company, Koch-Glitsch keeps our customers' operations running with a wide range of innovative products and solutions serving the refining, chemical and petrochemical industries. As a full-service provider of mass transfer, mist elimination and phase separation equipment, we handle everything from design and fabrication to delivery and installation.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.


Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).