At Rubicon Organics, our vision is to be the most trusted house of premium cannabis brands, creating elevated experiences for people everywhere. Our mission is to build brands people believe in by delivering elevated experiences in all we do. Through uncompromising quality, purposeful innovation, and trusted partnerships, we create products and relationships that enrich lives and help shape the future of cannabis.
We are seeking a Hydrocarbon Lead to support the safe, consistent and efficient operation of our hydrocarbon extraction facility.
This is a hands-on production leadership role responsible for coordinating day-to-day extraction activities, supporting and training operators, and ensuring production is completed safely and in accordance with established processes and SOPs.
The Hydrocarbon Lead will work closely with the Hydrocarbon Extraction Specialist and other technical and operational partners to maintain process consistency, product quality and equipment performance. The ideal candidate brings practical extraction or processing experience, strong attention to detail, and the ability to lead by example in a highly controlled production environment.
Key Responsibilities
Hydrocarbon Extraction & Production
- Perform and lead day-to-day hydrocarbon extraction activities using closed-loop extraction systems and associated processing equipment.
- Coordinate daily extraction activities based on the production schedule and operational priorities.
- Ensure established process parameters, including temperature, pressure, solvent ratios, cycle times and recovery requirements, are followed accurately.
- Support the production of hydrocarbon-derived products, including vape oil, resin and other concentrate formats.
- Monitor extraction runs and identify process, equipment or product-quality concerns during production.
- Escalate technical issues, deviations and recurring process concerns to the Hydrocarbon Extraction Specialist or appropriate technical team.
- Support start-up, shutdown, cleaning, changeover and routine equipment activities.
- Team Leadership & Training.
- Act as a day-to-day point of contact for employees working within the hydrocarbon extraction area.
- Coordinate work assignments and help ensure production priorities are clearly understood by the team.
- Lead by example by maintaining high standards for safety, quality, documentation and execution.
- Train and support operators on approved extraction procedures, equipment operation, cleaning requirements and process controls.
- Reinforce SOPs and provide hands-on coaching when processes are not being followed correctly.
- Act as a communication link between extraction employees and the Hydrocarbon Extraction Specialist and operational leadership.
- Support onboarding and practical training of new team members.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure hydrocarbon extraction activities are performed in accordance with established safety procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain strict adherence to requirements associated with C1D1 environments, hydrocarbon handling, pressurized systems, solvent storage and solvent transfer.
- Ensure employees understand and follow applicable SOPs, WHMIS requirements and company safety protocols.
- Identify unsafe conditions, equipment concerns or process deviations and escalate them immediately.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation and organization within extraction and supporting production areas.
- Participate in safety investigations, corrective actions and operational-readiness activities as required.
Equipment & Troubleshooting
- Monitor extraction equipment during production and identify abnormal operating conditions or performance issues.
- Perform first-line troubleshooting within established procedures and escalate complex technical issues appropriately.
- Work with the Hydrocarbon Extraction Specialist, Engineering and Maintenance teams to support equipment troubleshooting and repairs.
- Assist with preventative maintenance activities, equipment inspections and operational-readiness checks.
- Provide feedback on recurring equipment issues and opportunities to improve reliability or usability.
Quality, Documentation & Process Control
- Ensure batch records, production documentation, inventory transactions and other required records are completed accurately and on time.
- Monitor production against established process specifications and immediately flag deviations or inconsistencies.
- Support investigations into yield loss, product inconsistencies, process deviations and equipment-related issues.
- Assist with tracking operational KPIs such as yield, throughput, cycle time, solvent recovery and production losses.
- Maintain accurate records in accordance with company quality and regulatory requirements.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve extraction safety, consistency, efficiency and workflow.
- Provide practical feedback on SOPs and standardized work based on day-to-day production experience.
- Support production trials, equipment testing and implementation of approved process improvements.
- Work with the Hydrocarbon Extraction Specialist and Process Improvement Technologist to translate process improvements into repeatable production practices.
- Support implementation of new or improved extraction processes and product formats.
Qualifications & Experience
Must Have
- Diploma or degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Engineering Technology, Process Engineering or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant hands-on experience.
- Some experience in a laboratory, extraction, manufacturing, chemical processing or other technical production environment is preferred. This may include relevant co-op, internship, research or graduate-level experience.
- Comfortable working hands-on with process equipment and learning technically complex production systems.
- Ability to understand and follow defined process parameters, SOPs and safety requirements.
- Strong attention to detail and an interest in understanding how process variables affect product quality, yield and consistency.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, troubleshoot methodically and know when to escalate.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to support, train and guide others as technical knowledge develops.
- Ability to work effectively in a hands-on, fast-paced production environment.
- Flexibility to work variable shifts, including evenings or weekends when required.
- Experience of 1-3 years in a C1D1 classified environment.
- Willing and able to complete a required respirator fit test.
- Proficient in Spanish for both business and everyday communication.
Nice to Have
- Hands-on experience with cannabis extraction or other extraction technologies.
- Exposure to closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction systems.
- Knowledge of hydrocarbons such as butane and propane and the safety considerations associated with their use.
- Experience with process equipment involving pressure, temperature, solvent recovery or similar process controls.
- Experience in cannabis, food, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or another regulated manufacturing environment.
- Experience with equipment commissioning, process start-up, trials or production scale-up.
- Experience collecting or analyzing production data such as yield, throughput, cycle time or process consistency.
- Familiarity with cannabis concentrates such as vape oil, live resin, shatter or other extracted products.
Key Competencies
- Safety-first decision making
- Spanish speaking ability (business and conversational)
- Hands-on leadership
- Strong process discipline and attention to detail
- Mechanical and technical aptitude
- Troubleshooting and problem solving
- Clear communication and knowledge sharing
- Ability to remain calm and methodical when production issues arise
- Accountability for quality and execution
- Continuous improvement mindset
Working Conditions
- Work within an industrial cannabis processing environment, including C1D1 classified areas.
- Regular work around hydrocarbon solvents, pressurized systems and specialized extraction equipment.
- Required use of applicable personal protective equipment and strict adherence to safety procedures.
- Role requires significant time working directly within the production environment.
- Flexibility may be required during commissioning, production ramp-up or periods of increased production demand.
Why Rubicon?
We believe in recognizing and rewarding the people who make our success possible. Our total rewards package is designed to support your career growth while also making life outside of work easier and more enjoyable.
- 55-70K Base salary based on experience
- Phone stipend of up to $70 per month
- Three weeks' vacation to start
- Medical and dental benefits after three months of employment
- Free on-site parking with a complementary EV charger.
The opportunity to help build and grow Rubicon's internal extraction capabilities
If you're excited about working hands-on with hydrocarbon extraction technology while helping a team deliver safe, consistent and high-quality products, we'd love to hear from you.
