Operations & Commissioning Engineer

Position: Operations & Commissioning Engineer (Permanent)
Ready to take the lead in bringing a brand-new pilot plant to life?
Are you an Engineer who loves being hands-on, driving plant operations, and bringing new technology to life?
Adepto are proud to be partnered with a pioneering organisation who are building a first-of-its-kind pilot facility. They’re now looking for an experienced Operations & Commissioning Engineer to spearhead commissioning, shape day-to-day operations, and help drive the transition from pilot to commercial scale.
This is a rare chance to join an organisation at a genuinely transformative moment: new technology, new plant, and the opportunity to influence how everything is built, run, and scaled.
As the Operations & Commissioning Engineer you will be at the centre of plant commissioning and early-stage operations. You’ll work closely with senior technical leadership, help define operating procedures, and build and mentor a small, high-performing operations team.
This role is perfect for someone who thrives in hands-on environments, enjoys problem solving, and wants to play a key role in standing up and optimising an innovative process from the ground up.
What You’ll Be Doing

* Lead the commissioning and safe operation of a new pilot plant

* Build, train, and manage a small team of plant operators

* Oversee daily site operations, shift planning, and contractor coordination

* Run the plant from the control panel, troubleshoot, and optimise performance

* Carry out routine analytical tasks (e.g., titration, Karl Fischer) and visual checks

* Manage maintenance schedules, calibrations, isolations, and permit-to-work processes

* Uphold the highest standards of safety, housekeeping, and operational readiness

* Support future deployments and represent the organisation at customer sites
Who We're Looking For

* Proven experience in pilot or commercial plant operation and commissioning

* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

* A background in Chemical Engineering would be highly desirable and advantageous, whilst other academic and technical backgrounds will also be considered.

* Strong leadership and team management experience within an operations setting

* Familiarity with COMAH level safety practices (e.g., permit to work, isolations, change management)

* Leadership experience in an operational, process, or manufacturing environment

* Practical, hands-on approach

* Willingness to work flexibly (whilst the role will initially be based in the East Midlands, as the operation and technology scales, the business will progress to a new plant, currently forecasted towards mid-end 2026 and is expected be in the North West/Yorkshire region. There may be a requirement to work across both sites during transition).

* Full UK Driving Licence
What's In It For You

* Generous salary (£50-60,000 per annum)

* Stock/equity options

* Private health insurance & pension

* Exceptional growth opportunities as the business scales

* The chance to be influential and contribute to shaping a groundbreaking process with significant environmental impact