AIC - Lab Director
Aquatech, Canonsburg, PA, United States
Overview
At Aquatech, we tackle the challenges of critical minerals, water scarcity and complexity by leveraging technology, expertise, and financing to deliver comprehensive solutions that enable competitive, sustainable infrastructure. As a leading global provider of water and industrial process technology solutions, we help the world's most recognized companies achieve their sustainability and operational goals by implementing innovative approaches for water reuse, desalination, minimal and zero liquid discharge, and critical minerals recovery. Aquatech is seeking a Lab Director at its Canonsburg, Pennsylvania Headquarters to build and lead a world-class applied process innovation laboratory focused on critical minerals recovery and advanced water technologies. This role is for a technical leader and builder; someone who has personally developed, tested, and scaled industrial process technologies and now wants to lead a team doing the same at larger impact. We have a specific interest in candidates with experience innovating in the membrane technology space. In this position you will guide a multidisciplinary group of engineers, scientists, and technicians executing benchtop R&D, pilot-scale validation, and commercialization programs across membrane-based water treatment, brine processing, and resource recovery. The Lab Director will shape the evolution of Aquatech’s 10,000 sq ft applied sciences center into a premier process innovation and scale-up hub, translating lab breakthroughs into pilot demonstrations and commercial deployments worldwide. The ideal candidate is a hands-on process technologist turned leader with significant experience and will bring structure, clarity, and leadership to a multidisciplinary laboratory of technicians and engineers driving benchtop R&D, pilot-scale testing, and commercialization initiatives in water treatment and brine processing. This leader will scale lab capabilities, standardize operations, and accelerate technology-to-market outcomes across industries including municipal/industrial wastewater, lithium/copper/rare earths processing, and ultrapure water (UPW) applications. The role owns the operational excellence, safety culture, technical rigor, and value creation for the Canonsburg applied development and testing technical center focused on disruptive innovation, pilot validation, and execution of scientific experiments that solve complex real-world challenges. The Lab Director will perform the duties described in the job description below and will be considered an Exempt employee. Salary for this position is slightly above typical range for upper management in this industry. Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership
Set the lab’s vision, multi-year roadmap, and portfolio prioritization aligned to Aquatech’s growth strategy in water treatment/brine concentration, resource recovery, and circular water solutions. Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team (technicians, engineers, scientists) with clear roles, development plans, and succession pipelines. Drive transformation from analytical services to an innovation/commercialization hub—moving from benchtop insights to pilot demonstrations and customer deployment.
Operations & Scale-Up
Own all operational aspects of the technical center: scheduling, workflows, staffing, training, procurement, inventory, instrumentation, metrology/calibration, and facility readiness. Ensure high uptime for analytical equipment through necessary periodic upkeep and maintenance. Design, sponsor, and manage laboratory expansions/modernizations (e.g., microbiology/molecular biology BSL-1 suites, fermentation capability, analytical chemistry labs, pilot bays, wet labs, high-salinity handling areas, and membrane/ion exchange test cells). Establish and enforce SOPs, GLP/GMP-lite practices where applicable, stage-gate processes for experiments and pilots, and Change Control for method evolution.
Technical Program Management
Oversee experimental design, benchtop method development, and pilot test execution for technologies such as: Membrane processes (RO, NF, FO, MD), ion exchange, electrodialysis, crystallization, evaporation, biological treatment, adsorption/precipitation, and advanced oxidation for high-TDS brines and complex wastewaters. Critical minerals extraction flowsheets (lithium, copper, rare earths) and UPW polishing for semiconductor/biopharma applications. Translate results into techno-economic analyses (TEA), process models, and commercialization plans with quantified risk, CAPEX/OPEX, and customer value.
Safety, Compliance & Quality
Champion world-class EHS culture: hazard analysis, lockout/tagout, chemical hygiene, biosafety (BSL-1), waste management, emergency response, and ergonomics. Maintain laboratory compliance (ISO 9001/14001 principles, biosafety procedures, calibration and traceability). Drive continuous improvement via audits, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA). Client satisfaction prioritized for all engineering service and development contract work.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & External Engagement
Partner closely with Product, Process Engineering, Projects, Sales, and Field Services to align pilots with customer objectives and commercialization timelines. Engage customers, universities, and technology providers; structure joint development agreements and pilot plans that de-risk deployments. Communicate results via executive-ready reports, dashboards, and presentations; represent Aquatech at conferences and industry forums.
Financial & Portfolio Accountability
Own lab budgets (opex/capex), vendor contracts, and instrument lifecycle planning. Reallocate resources to maximize throughput, revenue, and impact, demonstrably scaling annual lab revenue on a 3 year timeline through improved utilization and broader enterprise alignment.
Benefits
Aquatech offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, company-paid holidays, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility). Essential Functions
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Physical Job Demands
Lifting/carrying/moving and exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. May need to climb ladders cannot be afraid of heights, and will need to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while on site. It involves sitting at a desk for extended periods. Needs a high degree of concentration in a busy area. Qualifications
Required BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field. First-hand expertise and demonstrated history in data integrity, robust analytics (ICP-OES/MS, HPLC/GC, TOC, IC, XRD, particle size analysis), and statistically defensible conclusions for scale-up decisions. Hands-on expertise with membrane application development, hydrometallurgical process development and/or complex fluid systems. 5+ years in laboratory leadership spanning benchtop R&D and pilot-scale operations in industrial process technology innovation. Demonstrated success in building/scaling lab organizations (from ~5 to 25+ staff), modernizing facilities, and commercializing process technologies. Knowledge of lithium brine processes or similar. Strong EHS stewardship and biosafety familiarity (BSL-1). Proven budget ownership, vendor management, and capital project leadership (~$3–5MM). Exceptional communication skills for executive stakeholders and customer-facing engagements. Ability to travel 10% of the time in a calendar year within the US and abroad Desired Experience in critical minerals (Li, Cu, REE) processing flowsheets, scaling pilots to demo plants. First-hand experience developing membrane technology UPW experience in semiconductor/biopharma contexts. Familiarity with ISO 9001/14001, QA/QC systems, LIMS, and statistical design of experiments (DoE). Working knowledge of techno-economic modeling, process simulation (Aspen/HYSYS/GPROMs), and life-cycle assessment. Track record of IP generation (patents, trade secrets) and external collaborations.
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At Aquatech, we tackle the challenges of critical minerals, water scarcity and complexity by leveraging technology, expertise, and financing to deliver comprehensive solutions that enable competitive, sustainable infrastructure. As a leading global provider of water and industrial process technology solutions, we help the world's most recognized companies achieve their sustainability and operational goals by implementing innovative approaches for water reuse, desalination, minimal and zero liquid discharge, and critical minerals recovery. Aquatech is seeking a Lab Director at its Canonsburg, Pennsylvania Headquarters to build and lead a world-class applied process innovation laboratory focused on critical minerals recovery and advanced water technologies. This role is for a technical leader and builder; someone who has personally developed, tested, and scaled industrial process technologies and now wants to lead a team doing the same at larger impact. We have a specific interest in candidates with experience innovating in the membrane technology space. In this position you will guide a multidisciplinary group of engineers, scientists, and technicians executing benchtop R&D, pilot-scale validation, and commercialization programs across membrane-based water treatment, brine processing, and resource recovery. The Lab Director will shape the evolution of Aquatech’s 10,000 sq ft applied sciences center into a premier process innovation and scale-up hub, translating lab breakthroughs into pilot demonstrations and commercial deployments worldwide. The ideal candidate is a hands-on process technologist turned leader with significant experience and will bring structure, clarity, and leadership to a multidisciplinary laboratory of technicians and engineers driving benchtop R&D, pilot-scale testing, and commercialization initiatives in water treatment and brine processing. This leader will scale lab capabilities, standardize operations, and accelerate technology-to-market outcomes across industries including municipal/industrial wastewater, lithium/copper/rare earths processing, and ultrapure water (UPW) applications. The role owns the operational excellence, safety culture, technical rigor, and value creation for the Canonsburg applied development and testing technical center focused on disruptive innovation, pilot validation, and execution of scientific experiments that solve complex real-world challenges. The Lab Director will perform the duties described in the job description below and will be considered an Exempt employee. Salary for this position is slightly above typical range for upper management in this industry. Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership
Set the lab’s vision, multi-year roadmap, and portfolio prioritization aligned to Aquatech’s growth strategy in water treatment/brine concentration, resource recovery, and circular water solutions. Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team (technicians, engineers, scientists) with clear roles, development plans, and succession pipelines. Drive transformation from analytical services to an innovation/commercialization hub—moving from benchtop insights to pilot demonstrations and customer deployment.
Operations & Scale-Up
Own all operational aspects of the technical center: scheduling, workflows, staffing, training, procurement, inventory, instrumentation, metrology/calibration, and facility readiness. Ensure high uptime for analytical equipment through necessary periodic upkeep and maintenance. Design, sponsor, and manage laboratory expansions/modernizations (e.g., microbiology/molecular biology BSL-1 suites, fermentation capability, analytical chemistry labs, pilot bays, wet labs, high-salinity handling areas, and membrane/ion exchange test cells). Establish and enforce SOPs, GLP/GMP-lite practices where applicable, stage-gate processes for experiments and pilots, and Change Control for method evolution.
Technical Program Management
Oversee experimental design, benchtop method development, and pilot test execution for technologies such as: Membrane processes (RO, NF, FO, MD), ion exchange, electrodialysis, crystallization, evaporation, biological treatment, adsorption/precipitation, and advanced oxidation for high-TDS brines and complex wastewaters. Critical minerals extraction flowsheets (lithium, copper, rare earths) and UPW polishing for semiconductor/biopharma applications. Translate results into techno-economic analyses (TEA), process models, and commercialization plans with quantified risk, CAPEX/OPEX, and customer value.
Safety, Compliance & Quality
Champion world-class EHS culture: hazard analysis, lockout/tagout, chemical hygiene, biosafety (BSL-1), waste management, emergency response, and ergonomics. Maintain laboratory compliance (ISO 9001/14001 principles, biosafety procedures, calibration and traceability). Drive continuous improvement via audits, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA). Client satisfaction prioritized for all engineering service and development contract work.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & External Engagement
Partner closely with Product, Process Engineering, Projects, Sales, and Field Services to align pilots with customer objectives and commercialization timelines. Engage customers, universities, and technology providers; structure joint development agreements and pilot plans that de-risk deployments. Communicate results via executive-ready reports, dashboards, and presentations; represent Aquatech at conferences and industry forums.
Financial & Portfolio Accountability
Own lab budgets (opex/capex), vendor contracts, and instrument lifecycle planning. Reallocate resources to maximize throughput, revenue, and impact, demonstrably scaling annual lab revenue on a 3 year timeline through improved utilization and broader enterprise alignment.
Benefits
Aquatech offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, company-paid holidays, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility). Essential Functions
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Physical Job Demands
Lifting/carrying/moving and exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. May need to climb ladders cannot be afraid of heights, and will need to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while on site. It involves sitting at a desk for extended periods. Needs a high degree of concentration in a busy area. Qualifications
Required BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field. First-hand expertise and demonstrated history in data integrity, robust analytics (ICP-OES/MS, HPLC/GC, TOC, IC, XRD, particle size analysis), and statistically defensible conclusions for scale-up decisions. Hands-on expertise with membrane application development, hydrometallurgical process development and/or complex fluid systems. 5+ years in laboratory leadership spanning benchtop R&D and pilot-scale operations in industrial process technology innovation. Demonstrated success in building/scaling lab organizations (from ~5 to 25+ staff), modernizing facilities, and commercializing process technologies. Knowledge of lithium brine processes or similar. Strong EHS stewardship and biosafety familiarity (BSL-1). Proven budget ownership, vendor management, and capital project leadership (~$3–5MM). Exceptional communication skills for executive stakeholders and customer-facing engagements. Ability to travel 10% of the time in a calendar year within the US and abroad Desired Experience in critical minerals (Li, Cu, REE) processing flowsheets, scaling pilots to demo plants. First-hand experience developing membrane technology UPW experience in semiconductor/biopharma contexts. Familiarity with ISO 9001/14001, QA/QC systems, LIMS, and statistical design of experiments (DoE). Working knowledge of techno-economic modeling, process simulation (Aspen/HYSYS/GPROMs), and life-cycle assessment. Track record of IP generation (patents, trade secrets) and external collaborations.
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