Senior Process Technician

ACP Technologies (ACPT) — Advanced Carbon Products and Processing

Location: Mt Pleasant, MI

Job Type: Full-time (up to 40 hours/week) Schedule: Monday–Friday, with possible weekends

About Us

ACP Technologies is an agile, innovative, growth-oriented company commercializing a proprietary mesophase pitch process. Our carbon materials—mesophase pitch, isotropic pitch, graphite, carbon fiber, and carbon-carbon composites—support next-generation applications in lithium-ion batteries, rockets, and defense systems, with programs funded by the DoD and DLA. You’ll join a hands-on team scaling breakthrough processes from pilot to production and partner closely with engineers and customers.

The Role

As a Senior Process R&D Technician, you will operate, monitor, and improve high-temperature and vacuum processing equipment used to produce advanced carbon materials. You’ll execute DOEs created with the engineering team, ensure product quality and safety, and lead product analysis in the R&D laboratory. This role reports to the Director of Process Development (and collaborates with the Engineering Manager).

Job Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Run & monitor processes: Operate reactors, thermal processing units/furnaces, vacuum systems, distillation/evaporation, pumps, and filtration—startup to shutdown.

Execute DOEs & collect data: Follow batch recipes and test plans; collect in-process samples and measurements; maintain accurate batch records and logs.

Equipment readiness: Perform routine and preventive maintenance; calibrate analytical instrumentation.

Quality & documentation: Verify product against spec, help improve SOPs, batch sheets, and safety procedures.

Safety leadership: Model best practices for PPE, equipment operation, and handling of hot/flammable materials; lead safety meetings and near-miss reviews.

Mentorship: Train and guide junior technicians; promote cross-training and standard work.

Analytical Methodology

Perform in-process and final product testing (with proper hot sampling and inert transfers), including:

Softening point (Mettler / ring-and-ball), viscosity (Brookfield/capillary), density/specific gravity.

Moisture (Karl Fischer or oven loss on drying), ash/volatile matter (as applicable).

Insolubles (e.g., toluene/quinoline where applicable), basic particle size checks (sieves/laser diffraction if available).

Support characterization of carbon materials (BET surface area/porosity, XRD indicators, DSC/TGA) in coordination with the lab.

Calibrate/verify lab instruments, manage standards, and document out-of-tolerance findings with corrective actions.

Partner with engineers to translate lab findings into process setpoint adjustments and control limits.

Operating Equipment

Operate and care for production and support equipment, including:

Reactors & thermal systems: Jacketed/stirred vessels, thermal oil systems, heat exchangers, condensers, chillers.

Thermal processing: Ovens and furnaces for carbon/graphite processing; controlled ramp/soak profiles.

Vacuum & transfer: Mechanical and dry vacuum pumps, ejectors, inert gas blanketing/purges, gear/diaphragm/centrifugal pumps, valves, hoses, quick-connects.

Perform basic PM tasks (gasket/seal checks, lubrication, strainer cleaning), support changeovers, and execute line/equipment cleaning.

Follow utilities best practices (nitrogen, compressed air, cooling/chilled water) and emissions controls (scrubbers/condensers) with proper logs.

Secondary Responsibilities

Support lab/plant trials and scale-up runs; coordinate sample shipments and test requests.

Prepare concise updates (slides or one-pagers) for internal reviews and customer/government updates.

Participate in partner/customer meetings to align on requirements, limits, and goals.

Job Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

U.S. citizenship required and eligibility for a DoD security clearance.

10+ years as a process/production technician in chemical, carbon, polymer, refinery, or related high-temperature/vacuum operations.

Proficiency operating and troubleshooting pumps, valves, pressure/vacuum systems, heat exchangers, thermal oil systems, ovens/furnaces, filtration, and basic utilities.

Ability to follow batch recipes/SOPs.

Strong data habits: accurate logs, basic analysis and charting in Excel.

Excellent communication; collaborative, hands-on problem solver.

Willingness to work extended hours/occasional weekends.

Physical: Able to stand for extended periods, climb stairs/ladders, and lift up to ~50 lbs with proper technique.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree

Experience with carbon materials (mesophase/isotropic pitch, graphite, carbon fiber) or thermal processing of heavy organics.

Pilot-to-production scale-up experience; executing DOEs and interpreting analytical data.

Basic fabrication skills (hose/line setup, fitting swaps).

Clear, well-structured report writing and slide preparation.

What We Offer

ACPT provides a casual, friendly work environment.

Benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance; HSA; 401(k) with 6% match; paid time off; life insurance; and more.

Pay: At or better than industry standards.

Work Location: Mt Pleasant, MI.

Relocation: Willing to relocate preferred