Aurora Hydrogen is developing a novel hydrogen production technology with the potential to dramatically change the way hydrogen is used in everyday life. The technology uses efficient microwave energy to produce low-cost hydrogen and solid carbon from natural gas without using water or generating any CO2. Hydrogen production using Aurora's technology has the potential to reduce global CO2 emissions by over 900 million tonnes per year, and we're looking for passionate people to join us on this journey.

Aurora Hydrogen is looking for an exceptional and strategically minded individual to join us as the Pilot Operations Manager out of the Edmonton, AB office and Fort Saskatchewan plant site.

As the Pilot Operations Manager, this hands-on individual will work closely with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the facility and ensuring the efficient and safe production of hydrogen gas. You will manage a team of operators, technicians and engineers, coordinate with various departments, and implement strategies to commission and optimise production processes and meet production targets. Your role will involve ensuring compliance with safety regulations, troubleshooting operational issues, and maintaining high-quality standards.

The Role:

• Oversee and coordinate all operational activities in the facility, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
• Develop pilot plant commissioning, operations, and emergency response plan.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to optimise production processes, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Monitor production targets, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as maintenance, engineering, and quality assurance, to ensure seamless operations and effective communication.
• Lead, motivate, and manage a team of engineers, technicians, and operators, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Schedule and assign work tasks to team members, ensuring adequate staffing levels and skill sets to meet production requirements.
• Foster a positive and safe work environment, promoting teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements in all operational activities.
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections, identify potential hazards, and implement corrective actions to mitigate risks.
• Promote a culture of safety awareness and actively participate in incident investigations and safety training programs.
• Collaborate with the technical team to develop campaign plans and production schedules, and prioritise tasks based on customer demands and business priorities.
• Monitor product quality through regular inspections, sampling, and testing, and implement quality control measures to maintain high standards.
• Investigate and resolve any product quality or process issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, and operational efficiencies within the hydrogen production facility.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and other methodologies to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve overall productivity.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and regulatory changes related to hydrogen production, and recommend relevant improvements.
• Other duties as required.

Who You Are:

• Post-secondary degree in chemical, industrial or mechanical engineering (a graduate degree is an asset)
• Minimum 8 years of experience managing engineering teams, 15+ years engineering experience
• Plant operations and commissioning experience
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Alberta (APEGA)
• Experience building, managing and leading multi-disciplined teams
• Ability to focus the team to achieve the efficient outcomes in a timely manner
• Comfortable with making decisions given “balance of probability” level data
• Highly organized with sharp attention to detail
• Excited to work on a small fast-paced start-up team with a drive to succeed and grow with the company
• Proven ability to create and communicate production schedules and prioritize work
• Excellent conflict resolution, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to review documents for compliance with project requirements

• Possess a positive attitude, be highly self-motivated, energetic, passionate and reliable

• Computer literacy, MS Office (Excel, Word & Outlook)
• A strong commitment to safety
• An active facilitator and problem-solver, with a high-degree of flexibility and proven diplomacy and negotiation skills with all levels of an organization
• Time management skills and the ability to prioritize and delegate work effectively and efficiently
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, with conflicting priorities
• Able to articulate technical concepts and other project information in a clear, concise way
• Able to make decisions based on sound business judgment and engineering requirements and able to stay within budget and meet deadlines

What We Offer:

• A competitive base salary
• Bonuses based on the achievement of key milestones
• Stock options
• 4 weeks' annual vacation
• 10 flex days each year
• Group benefits plan (50/50 cost share), coupled with a Health / Personal Spending Account

Aurora Hydrogen supports a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. You must be legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.