Operator Lead

Contract Operator - Shift Team Lead

• Engineering
• Full-time
• Trois Rivieres, CA

The Shift Team Lead will be responsible for overseeing safe and efficient operations during assigned shifts at a first-of-a-kind carbon capture demonstration plant. This role ensures compliance with operating procedures, supervises a team of operators, and acts as the primary decision-maker during shift operations, coordinating with the Commissioning Manager and Project/Operations Lead as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a shift team (Board Operators and Outside Operators), ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.
  
  
• Monitor process conditions, troubleshoot equipment and control issues, and escalate abnormal situations promptly.
  
  
• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), lock-out/tag-out, and emergency response protocols.
  
  
• Coordinate shift handovers with clear documentation of operating status, issues, and maintenance needs.
  
  
• Provide on-the-job training, mentorship, and guidance to operators to maintain skill development and safety culture.
  
  
• Support commissioning activities, including equipment start-up, shutdown, and testing.
  
  
• Report safety incidents, performance issues, and plant upsets to the Commissioning Manager and Project Lead.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

·        Diploma or degree in chemical, mechanical, or process engineering technology; or equivalent industrial operations experience.

·        Minimum 5+ years in industrial plant operations (power, refining, petrochemicals, cement, steel, or similar); prior leadership/supervisory experience strongly preferred.

·        Experience with commissioning/start-up, process safety, and high-temperature systems is an asset.

·        Strong understanding of process control systems (DCS/PLC) and standard operating practices.

·        Excellent communication, decision-making, and leadership skills under pressure.

·        Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, in a demonstration project environment.

Desired Qualifications:

·        Experience with high-temperature industrial processes, or boiler/steam systems

·        Bilingual English / French preferred

Location: This is a site-based role in Trois Rivieres, Quebec. Relocation expenses will be provided.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.