R&D Process Technician

Rain Carbon Inc. (RAIN), a global leader in upcycling of industrial byproducts to high value carbon materials, has announced a 30,000 sq. ft. industrial facility in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to serve as the location for the new RAIN Innovation Center for Energy Storage Materials, marking another significant step in the company's commitment to advancing sustainable energy storage material solutions. The R&D center consists of a demonstration facility, allowing pilot-scale processing of carbon and carbon precursor materials, and laboratories dedicated to the carbon material analysis with state-of-the-art analytical and electrochemical testing equipment.

This R&D center will facilitate the production, testing and application development of RAIN’s LIONCOAT thermoplastic precursor products used for enhancing the electrochemical performance of battery anode materials. In addition, the facility will support the development and commercialization of new, innovative energy storage material solutions based on natural and synthetic graphite as well as silicon-carbon composites for lithium-ion batteries. The center will also house the product innovations for carbonaceous materials tailored to emerging energy storage technologies such as solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.

Purpose of the job:

• Operate and maintain specialized R&D production equipment for battery anode materials.
• Support the manufacturing of carbon materials such as graphite, GPC, and CPC.
• Enable safe and efficient handling of black powder and other fine carbonaceous materials.
• Assist in scaling laboratory processes to pilot-scale production.
• Ensure product quality by following research specifications and process parameters.
• Maintain facility organization, cleanliness, and compliance with safety standards.
• Provide Maintenance electrical/Mechanical on the equipment
• Provide accurate production records to support R&D trials and process optimization.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Operating R&D production equipment: Start, stop, adjust, and monitor various machines used in the battery anode material production process, including mills, shaping units, agglomerators, coating systems, and carbonization furnaces.
• Monitoring production: Continuously observe pilot-scale production runs to ensure smooth operation, compliance with process parameters, and adherence to quality standards, promptly identifying any deviations.
• Quality control: Perform routine quality checks on materials at different production stages (e.g., particle size, coating uniformity, carbonization quality) to ensure they meet R&D specifications.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and address equipment or process malfunctions, coordinating with R&D engineers and maintenance personnel to resolve issues efficiently.
• Material handling: Safely handle raw materials, intermediate products, and finished materials, including graphite, GPC, CPC, and black powder, potentially using forklifts or other handling equipment.
• Following procedures: Adhere to standard operating procedures, safety protocols for powder handling and high-temperature processes, and R&D quality control guidelines.
• Record keeping: Maintain accurate logs of production parameters, quality inspection results, and any deviations or corrective actions taken.
• Safety compliance: Consistently follow safety rules, wear appropriate PPE, and report any hazards or unsafe conditions to supervisors immediately.
• Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance: Perform regular preventive maintenance and basic repairs on mechanical and electrical systems. Troubleshoot equipment issues to minimize downtime and ensure smooth trial execution. Work with external contractors for complex repairs or upgrades as needed. Maintain maintenance logs and track equipment performance over time. Perform adjustments in PLC programs.
• Routine maintenance: Perform basic preventive maintenance, cleaning, and servicing of production equipment to ensure reliability and minimize downtime.
• Housekeeping: Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment, ensuring tools, materials, and equipment are properly stored.
• Continuous process improvement: Proactively suggest and help implement process enhancements to improve safety, efficiency, product quality, and overall facility performance.

Job requirements:

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or process Engineering or equivalent required
• Required experience:
• At least 4 years of proven experience in pilot or industrial plant environments, preferably in carbon powder processing, operating production equipment in materials manufacturing, chemical processing, or a similar industrial setting.
• Knowledge of graphite production processes (natural or synthetic).
• Familiarity with carbon materials such as GPC, CPC, and black powder.
• Experience in battery materials, carbon coating, or powder handling.
• Strong awareness of industrial safety procedures.
• Ability to follow detailed process instructions and maintain accurate production records.
• Strong background in operating and maintaining mechanical and electrical systems.
• Experience working in R&D or innovation-focused environments is a plus.
• Valid forklift operator license with prior experience in safe materials handling.

Rain Carbon Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment. Rain Carbon Inc. prohibits discrimination in all employment-based practices and all applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, or other protected status.