Process Operator
BH-331230-1
Posted: 26/03/2026
- Competitive
- Switzerland Villigen P S I
- Contract
-
Alternative & Renewable Energy
-
Sustainable Fuel
The Demonstration Project
The demonstration plant is located at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) in Villigen, Canton Aargau — one of Europe’s leading multidisciplinary research institutes. This location reflects our longstanding collaborative relationship with PSI and provides access to world-class research infrastructure.
Process Overview
The aerobrew process converts green methanol to SAF through a sequence of three reaction steps, followed by product separation:
Purpose of the Demonstration Campaign
The primary objectives are to validate the aerobrew process at meaningful scale, generate operating data to support scale-up to commercial plants, and demonstrate continuous, stable production of on-specification SAF. The data and experience gathered will directly underpin commercial project development and investor engagement.
Operational Context & Programme Timeline
The demonstration programme runs from May 2026 and extends over approximately 12-18 months, encompassing multiple commissioning stages, production campaigns, and periods of system modification and improvement. The programme is organised in three types of activity, which will recur over the programme duration:
Cold Commissioning
Cold commissioning begins in early May 2026. During this phase the plant operates on 2 shifts per day, 5 days per week (early and late shifts). This phase is expected to run for approximately one month.
Hot Commissioning
Hot commissioning begins in June 2026, with the plant moving to 3 shifts per day, 5 days per week (early, late and night shifts). This phase continues until the plant transitions into full operation.
Operation & Production Campaigns
Once in operation, the plant runs on 3 shifts per day, 7 days per week on a continuous basis. Production campaigns are expected to run for 2 to 6 weeks at a time. Over the 12-month programme, multiple campaigns are planned, separated by periods of maintenance, system modification, and further commissioning work as improvements are incorporated.
Important note on programme variability: Demonstration-scale plant programmes inherently involve uncertainty. Timelines shift, campaigns may be extended or shortened, and commissioning stages recur as systems are modified and recommissioned. There will be periods of intensive shift work and periods where there is little or no activity on site. Operators engaged for this programme should be comfortable with this variability and understand that call-up will not necessarily be regular or predictable week to week.
Operator Role & Responsibilities
Operators will be embedded into shift teams alongside a dedicated shift leader, who is a qualified PSI process engineer with full knowledge of the aerobrew process. Process engineers provide additional expert support — present on site during commissioning and available on call for process upsets or technical issues during operation. The operator’s role is to support the shift leader in the safe and efficient operation of the demonstration plant.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Work takes place at the PSI site in Villigen in a purpose-built demonstration plant environment. The plant operates with hydrocarbons and other process fluids at elevated temperatures and pressures. Classified ATEX zones are present. Full site induction and plant-specific safety training will be provided by the client prior to commencing work. Personal protective equipment is provided.
Qualifications & Requirements
Essential Requirements
Formal qualifications are valued but not the primary selection criterion — demonstrated practical experience is equally important. We are looking for candidates who meet one of the following profiles:
Given the nature of demonstration plant work — which involves a degree of uncertainty, variability, and learning — we are looking for operators who are adaptable and comfortable with evolving situations, take personal ownership of safety, are precise and attentive to detail, and can work effectively as part of a small, high-performing team.
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.
The demonstration plant is located at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) in Villigen, Canton Aargau — one of Europe’s leading multidisciplinary research institutes. This location reflects our longstanding collaborative relationship with PSI and provides access to world-class research infrastructure.
Process Overview
The aerobrew process converts green methanol to SAF through a sequence of three reaction steps, followed by product separation:
- Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO) — catalytic conversion of methanol to light olefins
- Olefin Oligomerisation — catalytic coupling of olefins to form higher hydrocarbons in the jet fuel range
- Hydrotreating — catalytic hydrogenation to produce stable, specification-grade SAF
- Fractionation — distillation-based separation of the product into fuel fractions
Purpose of the Demonstration Campaign
The primary objectives are to validate the aerobrew process at meaningful scale, generate operating data to support scale-up to commercial plants, and demonstrate continuous, stable production of on-specification SAF. The data and experience gathered will directly underpin commercial project development and investor engagement.
Operational Context & Programme Timeline
The demonstration programme runs from May 2026 and extends over approximately 12-18 months, encompassing multiple commissioning stages, production campaigns, and periods of system modification and improvement. The programme is organised in three types of activity, which will recur over the programme duration:
Cold Commissioning
Cold commissioning begins in early May 2026. During this phase the plant operates on 2 shifts per day, 5 days per week (early and late shifts). This phase is expected to run for approximately one month.
Hot Commissioning
Hot commissioning begins in June 2026, with the plant moving to 3 shifts per day, 5 days per week (early, late and night shifts). This phase continues until the plant transitions into full operation.
Operation & Production Campaigns
Once in operation, the plant runs on 3 shifts per day, 7 days per week on a continuous basis. Production campaigns are expected to run for 2 to 6 weeks at a time. Over the 12-month programme, multiple campaigns are planned, separated by periods of maintenance, system modification, and further commissioning work as improvements are incorporated.
Important note on programme variability: Demonstration-scale plant programmes inherently involve uncertainty. Timelines shift, campaigns may be extended or shortened, and commissioning stages recur as systems are modified and recommissioned. There will be periods of intensive shift work and periods where there is little or no activity on site. Operators engaged for this programme should be comfortable with this variability and understand that call-up will not necessarily be regular or predictable week to week.
Operator Role & Responsibilities
Operators will be embedded into shift teams alongside a dedicated shift leader, who is a qualified PSI process engineer with full knowledge of the aerobrew process. Process engineers provide additional expert support — present on site during commissioning and available on call for process upsets or technical issues during operation. The operator’s role is to support the shift leader in the safe and efficient operation of the demonstration plant.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Monitor and record process parameters (temperatures, pressures, flows) during shift
- Operate and adjust process equipment under the direction of the shift leader
- Interact with the plant control system and PLCs for monitoring and setpoint adjustments
- Perform routine equipment checks, valve operations, and sampling activities
- Assist with simple instrumentation tasks, minor modifications, and basic maintenance activities
- Support safe start-up and shutdown procedures as directed
- Maintain accurate shift logs and handover documentation
- Comply with all site safety procedures, permit-to-work systems, and ATEX requirements
- Communicate clearly with the shift leader, flag any anomalies or safety concerns promptly, and take appropriate preventive action when required
Work takes place at the PSI site in Villigen in a purpose-built demonstration plant environment. The plant operates with hydrocarbons and other process fluids at elevated temperatures and pressures. Classified ATEX zones are present. Full site induction and plant-specific safety training will be provided by the client prior to commencing work. Personal protective equipment is provided.
Qualifications & Requirements
Essential Requirements
- Demonstrated hands-on experience operating process plant equipment (reactors, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, valves, instrumentation)
- Comfortable working with process variables: pressure, temperature, flow, and basic thermodynamics
- Experience working with hydrocarbons, hazardous process fluids, or industrial refrigerants
- Familiarity with ATEX equipment and working in ATEX-classified zones
- Experience using industrial control systems and/or PLCs for process monitoring and operation
- Ability to perform basic instrumentation tasks and support simple plant modifications or repairs
- Commitment to working safely, precisely, and methodically in a regulated environment
- Willingness and availability to work shift patterns including early, late, and night shifts
- Professional working proficiency in English
Formal qualifications are valued but not the primary selection criterion — demonstrated practical experience is equally important. We are looking for candidates who meet one of the following profiles:
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline, with relevant industrial experience
- Alternatively, a minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience as a process operator or plant technician in a relevant industrial setting (chemicals, petrochemicals, refining, specialty chemicals, industrial refrigeration, or similar) — more experienced candidates are equally welcome
- Experience with catalytic reactor systems
- Background in e-fuels, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, or related emerging energy technologies
- Familiarity with commissioning activities on new or modified process plant
- German language skills (working level) — a plus given the Swiss location, but not required
- Experience in a research, pilot, or demonstration-scale environment where flexibility and problem-solving are key
Given the nature of demonstration plant work — which involves a degree of uncertainty, variability, and learning — we are looking for operators who are adaptable and comfortable with evolving situations, take personal ownership of safety, are precise and attentive to detail, and can work effectively as part of a small, high-performing team.
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.