Lead Engineer

Company

Sixone’s mission is to enable a world where blended plastics products can be circularly recycled back into existing supply chains instead of being sent to landfill. Sixone is a leading technology startup company developing advanced recycling technologies for blended plastics and plastic based products. The technology applies process digitalization and advanced analytics to build a recycling system to enable efficient plastics recycling. Our goal is to revolutionize the economics of recycled materials through innovative processing and materials technologies.

Overview of Role

The Lead Engineer is a high-impact, dual-mandate role responsible for rapidly transforming Sixone's recycling technology from development into reliable, operational capacity. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will balance hands-on technical completion with project planning and people leadership.

You will lead two distinct areas of focus:

1. Engineering Development: Supporting a team of mechanical and process engineers to drive Process Scale-Up, lead external technology transfer, and finalize industrial equipment design.

2. Operational Readiness: Directing commissioning, support production campaigns, and training teams for long-term operations.

Core Responsibilities

1. Process Scale-Up & Engineering Development

• Technology Transfer: Lead the technical transfer of R&D processes and prototypes into industrial-scale equipment designs.

• Vendor & Design Management: Oversee equipment vendors and integrators. Drive the finalization of equipment design, support the creation and approval of BFDs, PFDs, stream tables, P&IDs, control logic, data sheets, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Technical Completion: Diligently complete, check and review the work, reports, and calculations of other engineers to ensure absolute technical accuracy.

• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and mitigate technical roadblocks across mechanical, chemical, and control subsystems.

2. Commissioning & Initial Production Operations

• Commissioning Leadership: Plan and oversee equipment installation, pre-commissioning, and full commissioning activities.

• Field Execution: Author comprehensive commissioning procedures, write technical reports, and manage initial startup production campaigns.

• Validation & Handoff: Oversee initial production runs to validate performance against R&D targets. Train internal or contractor teams to assume long-term operations.

3. People Leadership & Culture

• Team Building: Actively mentor, coach, and develop engineers as the department grows.

• People Management: Identify areas for development, including performance management, career pathing, and support annual appraisals.

• Collaborative Culture: Maintain an approachable, communicative presence. Walk the floor, engage in open dialogue with teammates, and provide respectful, clear direction.

4. Project Management & Strategy

• Planning & Scheduling: Own the end-to-end project schedule, budget, and resource allocation.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Act as the primary liaison between R&D, Operations and external partners.

Candidate Requirements

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Education & Licensure

• Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Licensure: Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in British Columbia, or eligible for immediate registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC).

Experience & Skills

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Possess strong professional exposure and a comprehensive understanding across mechanical, chemical, and process engineering domains.

• Overall Experience: 10+ years of engineering work experience, specifically within the Petrochemical, Chemical, Plastics, Recycling, Pulp & Paper or Carbon Capture industries.

• Knowledge and experience of the EPC process.

• Leadership Experience: 3+ years of people management experience (handling performance reviews, mentoring, and team integration).

• Technical Expertise: Strong background in pilot plant design & operations, commissioning procedures, creating process deliverables, data sheets, and report writing.

• Problem Solving: A hands-on leader who understands the high-level strategy but is willing to "jump in" to solve immediate engineering problems.

• Legal Eligibility: Legally entitled to work in Canada and eligible for cross-border travel to the USA.

Why Join Us?

Sixone offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth, technical challenges, and leadership experience. Our team values communication, teamwork, and rigorous problem-solving to tackle industry challenges. We offer a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement. Be part of a pioneering company driving the future of chemical recycling and sustainability and contribute to solving real-world environmental challenges while working with passionate and dedicated colleagues.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.