Pilot Plant Operator / Technician

Job overview

The Pilot Plant Operator / Technician role is onsite at the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park in Kailua-Kona, HI, and pays $30–$40 per hour. Sea Dragon Energy is developing a process to produce sustainable aviation fuel from carbon dioxide and hydrogen extracted from seawater, without crude oil input. The operator runs and monitors chemical process equipment, analyzes samples, and performs equipment checks and basic repairs. Safe, reliable operation and troubleshooting support the company’s pilot-plant campaigns and fuel-development work.

What you'll do

• Maintain a safe work environment and use required PPE
• operate chemical process skids and equipment, including valves, PLC screens, pumps, compressors, electrolyzers, and reactors
• monitor operations, identify defects, adjust processes, and troubleshoot deviations
• collect and analyze process samples in the site quality laboratory
• perform maintenance checks and basic repairs
• respond to spills
• operate a forklift as required
• work rotating 12-hour shifts, including required night shifts during operating campaigns.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

pilot plant operator

technician

kailua-kona hi

onsite

$30–$40/hour

rotating 12-hour shifts

night shifts during campaigns

chemical process equipment

process troubleshooting

quality laboratory

sustainable aviation fuel

sea dragon energy

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Health insurance
• 401(k) retirement program with matching
• flexible PTO, including 12 company holidays and one floating holiday.

Why this role

Requires a high school diploma/GED or higher and three years of experience in manufacturing, a pilot plant, or a laboratory. Rotating 12-hour shifts and overtime are expected; night shifts are required during operating campaigns.

About the employer

Sea Dragon Energy is hiring for this role. Industry: Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing. Sector: 32.