Objectives

The candidate will be responsible for:

• Timely project delivery: deliver key milestones on schedule and within approved capital expenditure plan
• Performance: improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), uptime, yield, and cost-efficiency versus plan
• Safety & compliance: ensure operational safety, and secure and maintain permits with the relevant regulatory authorities
• Operating system & team: build the Operations & Engineering organization and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Responsibilities

Engineering Scale Up & Project Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end scale-up of NEU’s proprietary recycling process from lab-scale to commercial-scale
• Translate lab-scale and pilot insights into scalable, cost-efficient commercial engineering solutions
• Serve as internal owner for EPCM contractors or third-party engineering consultants
• Establish and enforce engineering quality, safety, and performance standards for commercialisation

Plant Setup & Execution

• Lead the design, planning, construction, commissioning and technological deployment of of NEU’s semi-commercial facility
• Oversee process layout, utilities, and infrastructure development
• Define project scope, schedule, CAPEX, and resource plans, while ensuring delivery on time and within budget
• Coordinate with internal teams, contractors, and suppliers to ensure alignment across all workstreams

Operations Leadership

• Build, lead, and manage the Operations & Engineering departments across process, production, maintenance, and logistics
• Lead and oversee day-to-day operations of the plant
• Manage and own the full material flow, from feedstock intake to outboard materials
• Drive OEE, uptime, cost-per-ton, and other plant performance KPIs
• Plan and forecast operational budgets and capital expenditures

Regulatory & Compliance

• Secure all relevant Singapore permits and approvals (e.g. NEA, SCDF, MOM, PUB)
• Ensure compliance with chemical handling, safety, waste management, and environmental discharge standards
• Establish scalable frameworks for regulatory compliance applicable to international markets

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Guide and mentor junior engineers in plant design, vendor management, and commissioning
• Translate R&D insights into robust, scalable process specifications
• Support process validation, performance testing, and troubleshooting during commissioning

Contractor & Vendor Management

• Identify, evaluate, and manage engineering consultants, EPCs, and contractors
• Review engineering deliverables, drawings, and safety documentation
• Ensure quality, safety, and technical standards are met at all stages

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with R&D, Operations, and Management to ensure plant design supports technical goals and long-term scalability
• Report project progress, risks, and key decisions to the leadership team

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Process, or Industrial Engineering; MBA or PMP is a plus
• 8-15 years of experience in scaling industrial processes from lab-scale to commercial-scale, EPCM, or operations leadership, ideally within lithium, chemical, or recycling sectors
• Proven track record in taking technologies from pilot stage to full-scale operations, and EPCM or plant project management (concept to commissioning)
• Deep understanding of plant engineering design, commissioning, and manufacturing systems
• Strong operations management skills, including material handling, SOPs, logistics, maintenance, and EH&S
• Strong understanding of Singapore’s regulatory landscape (NEA, SCDF, MOM) and chemical plant safety standards
• Experience mentoring engineers and working cross-functionally in R&D-heavy environments
• Possess good analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication in English
• Familiarity with international (US/EU) environmental and industrial safety frameworks.
• Good to have knowledge in any of these areas; flow battery, redox flow processes, electrochemical processes, fuel cell