Senior Operations Manager, Advanced Materials Pilot Plant

About Terrion

Terrion, a PTX subsidiary, is establishing a pilot manufacturing facility in Walkersville, Maryland to commercialize proprietary carbon conversion technologies focused on advanced synthetic graphite and related carbon materials.

PTX was founded by Dr. Kam Ghaffarian as part of the IBX platform, which builds and supports advanced technology companies aligned with national security, civil space, and strategic infrastructure missions. Drawing on a four-decade legacy of supporting aerospace and federal programs, PTX delivers high-end engineering services and strategic materials technologies to U.S. Government customers across civil and national space and defense missions.

Terrion represents PTX’s strategic materials manufacturing platform and is focused on strengthening domestic industrial base resilience through advanced carbon materials production.

This is not a mature plant management position. It is a hands-on pilot operations leadership role responsible for commissioning, early throughput stabilization, and establishing operational discipline from the ground up.

Position Overview

Reporting to the CTO, the Senior Operations Manager will lead day-to-day pilot plant operations across multiple carbon processing circuits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead pilot facility commissioning and daily production operations
• Oversee equipment installation, startup, and operational readiness
• Establish SOPs, safety protocols, and operating discipline
• Build and manage a small team of technicians and operators
• Coordinate maintenance, troubleshooting, and system optimization
• Implement process monitoring, quality controls, and production reporting
• Collaborate closely with technical leadership to align operations with process development
• Oversee safe, reliable execution of multi-step chemical and thermal processing systems

What Success Looks Like 

Within 6 months: 

• Pilot equipment installed and safely commissioned 

• Core operating systems and safety protocols implemented 

• Production planning and reporting systems in place 

Within 12 months: 

• Stable pilot throughput achieved 

• Operational discipline and safety rigor embedded across the facility 

• Team trained and operating independently 

• Operational foundation established for commercial scale expansion 

Qualifications

•         8 to 12 years of experience in manufacturing, materials processing, or industrial plant environments

•         3 to 5 years of direct supervisory responsibility

Relevant backgrounds may include:

·       Advanced materials or chemical process manufacturing

·       Slurry-based or acid-handling systems

·       High-temperature processing environments

·       Powder handling and purification systems

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

·       Experience commissioning new equipment or facilities in early-stage or pilot environments

·       Strong safety and regulatory discipline within chemical or thermal operations

·       Hands-on leadership of small technical teams with an ownership-driven mindset

Education 

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, or related discipline preferred. Equivalent hands-on operational experience considered. 

Operating Environment 

Terrion is an early stage operating company. This is a pilot scale operation where processes, infrastructure, and teams are still being built.

Success requires: 

• Comfort operating in a fast moving build environment while helping establish and refine core systems. 

• Strong operational judgment in a small, high-accountability team 

• Startup or pilot plant experience highly valued 

Travel 

Minimal expected travel; primarily facility-based in Maryland. 

Compensation & Benefits 

• Base Salary: $ $150,000 to $170,000, commensurate with experience 

• Bonus: 10% annual performance bonus 

• Eligible for Long-Term Incentive plan 

Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), Paid Time Off, and company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.

Work Authorization 

This position is expected to support U.S. Government programs that may involve Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and/or export-controlled technologies. Candidates must be able to comply with all applicable U.S. export control laws and regulations. Eligibility to obtain any required authorization or clearance may be required in the future. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Terrion is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.