Engineering Scale-Up Lead

Introduction

Brightsmith is proud to be representing an innovative cleantech startup in the search for an Engineering Scale-Up Lead based in Greater Vancouver.

This is a high-impact opportunity to take advanced recycling technology from development into full operational reality. You will play a central role in scaling a process designed to tackle one of the most complex challenges in sustainability, enabling blended plastics to be recycled back into existing supply chains.

• Opportunity to lead the transition from R&D to full-scale industrial operation
• A dual mandate across engineering development and operational readiness
• Direct impact on advancing circular solutions for plastic waste
• A leadership role with real ownership across scale-up, commissioning, and early production
• A collaborative, mission-driven environment with strong technical challenges

As Engineering Scale-Up Lead, you will be responsible for delivering the successful scale-up and startup of advanced recycling systems. You will lead both engineering development and commissioning activities, ensuring systems are designed, built, and operated safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

This role combines hands-on technical oversight, structured project management, and team leadership.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the transfer of R&D processes into industrial-scale equipment design
• Managing external engineering partners, technology providers, and equipment vendors
• Driving the finalization of equipment design, P&IDs, control logic, and operating procedures
• Identifying technical risks and implementing mitigation strategies

• Overseeing equipment installation, pre-commissioning, and commissioning activities
• Leading initial production campaigns and validating process performance
• Recruiting, training, and managing operational teams during startup
• Ensuring a smooth transition to long-term operations through structured training and documentation

• Owning project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation
• Providing technical leadership and mentorship to engineering and operations teams
• Acting as a key liaison across R&D, operations, finance, and external partners

We are looking for a hands-on engineering leader with experience in process scale-up and a strong track record of delivering complex projects.

You will bring:

• A degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Process Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of engineering experience, including at least 2+ years in a leadership role
• Proven experience taking technologies from prototype through to scale
• Strong problem-solving skills across mechanical, chemical, and control systems
• Experience managing vendors, external partners, and cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities
• Eligibility to work in Canada and ability to travel to the United States as required

If you are interested in leading the scale-up of a technology with real environmental impact, we would like to hear from you.

Please apply via Brightsmith or reach out directly for more information.