Sixone LabsVerified Job Source

Lead Engineer

Burnaby, BC
On-site
Posted Aug 11, 2026
1 position

$115,000–$135,000 / year

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Lead · 10+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The Engineering Team Lead will manage the scale-up of recycling technology from development to industrial operation while overseeing mechanical and process engineering teams. This role involves leading commissioning activities, managing project budgets, and providing technical oversight to ensure accurate equipment design and production validation.

Job details

Company Sixone’s mission is to enable a world where blended plastics products can be circularly recycled back into existing supply chains instead of being sent to landfill. Sixone is a leading technology startup company developing advanced recycling technologies for blended plastics and plastic based products. The technology applies process digitalization and advanced analytics to build a recycling system to enable efficient plastics recycling. Our goal is to revolutionize the economics of recycled materials through innovative processing and materials technologies. Overview of Role The Lead Engineer is a high-impact, dual-mandate role responsible for rapidly transforming Sixone's recycling technology from development into reliable, operational capacity. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will balance hands-on technical completion with project planning and people leadership. You will lead two distinct areas of focus: 1. Engineering Development: Supporting a team of mechanical and process engineers to drive Process Scale-Up, lead external technology transfer, and finalize industrial equipment design. 2. Operational Readiness: Directing commissioning, support production campaigns, and training teams for long-term operations. Core Responsibilities 1. Process Scale-Up & Engineering Development * Technology Transfer: Lead the technical transfer of R&D processes and prototypes into industrial-scale equipment designs. * Vendor & Design Management: Oversee equipment vendors and integrators. Drive the finalization of equipment design, support the creation and approval of BFDs, PFDs, stream tables, P&IDs, control logic, data sheets, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). * Technical Completion: Diligently complete, check and review the work, reports, and calculations of other engineers to ensure absolute technical accuracy. * Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and mitigate technical roadblocks across mechanical, chemical, and control subsystems. 2. Commissioning & Initial Production Operations * Commissioning Leadership: Plan and oversee equipment installation, pre-commissioning, and full commissioning activities. * Field Execution: Author comprehensive commissioning procedures, write technical reports, and manage initial startup production campaigns. * Validation & Handoff: Oversee initial production runs to validate performance against R&D targets. Train internal or contractor teams to assume long-term operations. 3. People Leadership & Culture * Team Building: Actively mentor, coach, and develop engineers as the department grows. * People Management: Identify areas for development, including performance management, career pathing, and support annual appraisals. * Collaborative Culture: Maintain an approachable, communicative presence. Walk the floor, engage in open dialogue with teammates, and provide respectful, clear direction. 4. Project Management & Strategy * Planning & Scheduling: Own the end-to-end project schedule, budget, and resource allocation. * Cross-functional Alignment: Act as the primary liaison between R&D, Operations and external partners. ---------------------------------------- Candidate Requirements To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following requirements: Education & Licensure * Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline. * Licensure: Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in British Columbia, or eligible for immediate registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC). Experience & Skills * Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Possess strong professional exposure and a comprehensive understanding across mechanical, chemical, and process engineering domains. * Overall Experience: 10+ years of engineering work experience, specifically within the Petrochemical, Chemical, Plastics, Recycling, Pulp & Paper or Carbon Capture industries. * Knowledge and experience of the EPC process. * Leadership Experience: 3+ years of people management experience (handling performance reviews, mentoring, and team integration). * Technical Expertise: Strong background in pilot plant design & operations, commissioning procedures, creating process deliverables, data sheets, and report writing. * Problem Solving: A hands-on leader who understands the high-level strategy but is willing to "jump in" to solve immediate engineering problems. * Legal Eligibility: Legally entitled to work in Canada and eligible for cross-border travel to the USA. Why Join Us? Sixone offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth, technical challenges, and leadership experience. Our team values communication, teamwork, and rigorous problem-solving to tackle industry challenges. We offer a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement. Be part of a pioneering company driving the future of chemical recycling and sustainability and contribute to solving real-world environmental challenges while working with passionate and dedicated colleagues. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline and be a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in British Columbia. The role requires over 7 years of industry experience in petrochemical or recycling sectors, along with at least 5 years of direct people management experience.