Chemical Technician

Cecilia is a circular advanced materials company redefining the life cycle of plastic waste. Cecilia is commercializing a modular, microwave system that transforms hard-to-recycle plastics into carbon nanotubes and recycled polymer composites. Cecilia’s mission is to turn waste into value, making plastic waste too valuable to discard.

Join Cecilia’s growing team as we advance the scale-up of our circular materials production system. As we prepare for our next phase of growth, we are seeking a Chemical Technician to support lab operations and help drive reliable, safe day-to-day execution in our facilities.

The Chemical Technician will support the operation and maintenance of our pilot-scale reactor system and analytical instruments in Cecilia’s facility. This is a full-time, in-person role based in the Greater Newark, NJ area. The role reports to the Chief Scientist and works closely with the R&D and engineering teams.

This is an operations role focused on hands-on end product production: running reactors, maintaining instruments, collecting and interpreting data, and supporting continuous process improvement. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, reliable, and motivated by the day-to-day work of keeping a technically demanding lab running well. Projects will span heterogeneous catalysis, reaction kinetics, and data analysis, with an emphasis on consistent and safe operation.

Lab Operations & Execution

• Safely set up, operate, monitor, and shut down lab-scale thermochemical reactors and supporting systems according to standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Execute experiments and document results accurately and consistently
• Monitor process parameters; identify and respond to abnormal operating conditions
• Collect, label, and store products and feedstocks according to internal protocols
• Ensure sufficient inventory of consumables and feedstocks for continuous lab operation

Maintenance & Reliability

• Perform routine maintenance and calibration on reactors and analytical instruments
• Identify emerging equipment issues and coordinate repairs
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready work environment
• Contribute to the development and improvement of SOPs, checklists, and maintenance routines

Data Analysis & Documentation

• Conduct data analysis and interpretation using chemical engineering approaches
• Maintain accurate logs of operating conditions, experimental records, and instrument performance
• Work closely with R&D and engineering teams to understand experimental objectives and translate them into day-to-day operating decisions
• Document operational pain points and recommend process improvements

Safety, Health & Environmental Compliance

• Follow all site safety procedures, including PPE requirements, safe chemical handling, and lockout/tagout protocols; participate in safety drills and hazard assessments
• Follow environmental compliance procedures and support efforts to minimize waste and off-spec production

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering preferred; Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry will also be considered
• Associate’s degree with 2+ years of relevant laboratory work experience will be considered
• Fundamental knowledge of chemical engineering principles
• Ability to follow laboratory rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Demonstrated track record of operating safely, with strong attention to detail and procedural compliance
• Ability to contribute as a member of a team and work independently when needed
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for logging experiments, documenting issues, and collaborating with scientists and engineers
• Comfortable performing hands-on physical work in a lab setting, including standing and walking for extended periods, bending and reaching, and safely lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds
• Willingness to take on relatively undefined challenges and adapt in a fast-moving environment
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; visa sponsorship is not available for this role

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with thermochemical reactions, heterogeneous catalysis, or related process chemistry
• Experience operating lab-scale orpilot-scale reactors in a production or R&D environment
• Experience with computer modeling or process simulation
• Prior involvement in developing or improving SOPs, checklists, or experimental protocols
• Experience working in a start-up or other dynamic environment with evolving processes and systems