Control Room Operator

About Hertha Metals, Inc.

Hertha Metals is redefining how the world makes steel. We’ve developed a breakthrough single-step steelmaking process that uses gas reductants to convert iron ore of any grade or form, delivering lower production costs and emissions than blast furnaces—while improving product quality and scalability. Having operated the world’s largest single-step steelmaking pilot plant, we’re now scaling toward commercial deployment. Our mission is to redefine the foundation of modern industry by scaling cleaner, more efficient, and more cost competitive metal making systems.

At Hertha, engineers, metallurgists, and operators work side by side to transform the future of steel making.

Hertha Metals is on a mission to transform the global steel industry through our groundbreaking, single-step steelmaking technology. We are seeking a highly motivated Control Room Operator to play a critical role in monitoring, controlling, and optimizing our pilot plant operations. Your ability to manage real-time process data, ensure safe and stable performance, and communicate effectively with field operators will be key to advancing our technology and maintaining continuous, high-quality operations.

This position reports directly to the Operations Manager and works closely with the engineering and process development teams.

To be successful in this role, a candidate must have a strong understanding of high-temperature industrial operations, process control systems, and safety protocols. The Control Room Operator will monitor systems from the control room, ensuring that production targets and safety standards are met at all times.

The Control Room Operator will collaborate closely with Furnace Operators, Utility Workers, and Engineers to coordinate real-time decisions, maintain operational stability, and respond effectively to system alarms or abnormal conditions. This position requires excellent attention to detail, quick judgment, and comfort working in a fast-paced, startup manufacturing environment.

Because of the dynamic nature of pilot operations, the Control Room Operator must be flexible with shift scheduling to support 24/7 operations, including nights, weekends, and testing campaigns as needed.

• Monitor and adjust process parameters (temperature, flow, gas ratios, and feed rates) through DCS/PLC interfaces to maintain optimal conditions.
• Log and report key process data, equipment performance, and shift handovers with precision and clarity.
• Coordinate with field personnel to ensure alignment between control room directives and on-site activities.
• Respond to alarms and system alerts quickly, troubleshooting and escalating issues as necessary to ensure safety and stability.
• Support furnace start-ups, shutdowns, and transitions in accordance with established SOPs.
• Assist with real-time data collection and communicate trends to engineering and leadership for analysis.
• Participate in safety reviews, incident investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain adherence to Hertha’s safety policies and procedures—Safety First, No Exceptions.

• High school diploma or GED required;
  Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Process Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in process or control room operations (metals, chemical, energy, or manufacturing industry preferred).
• Familiarity with distributed control systems (DCS), PLCs, or SCADA platforms.
• Strong understanding of process instrumentation, data trends, and alarm management.
• Demonstrated ability to stay calm and decisive under pressure while managing multiple process variables.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Energetic and highly motivated; high level of organization; able to multitask on many projects; detail oriented; able to focus on overall project goals; team oriented.

Individuals must be able to work independently and also be able to direct long-term tasks through to completion. Some projects are highly supervised, some are minimally…