Plant operator-Intern

Octavia Carbon is seeking a full-time Plant Operator Intern in Gilgil, Kenya. The role involves operating a Direct Air Capture plant, monitoring processes, ensuring safety compliance, and performing maintenance tasks. Candidates should have a diploma in engineering and be familiar with process control systems. This entry-level position offers growth potential within the company, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and teamwork.
Role: Plant Operator

Job type: Full-Time - On-site

Employment Type: Intern

Location: Gilgil – Kikopey, Kenya

About Octavia Carbon:

Octavia Carbon was founded in 2022, and we're proud to be the Global South's first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company. Our team is based across our two main sites: our R&D and manufacturing facility in Nairobi, Ruai and our deployment site in Naivasha.

About the Role:

The Plant Operator will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a Direct Air Capture (DAC) plant. This includes monitoring adsorption and desorption cycles, operating equipment for CO₂ capture and compression, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards, and supporting continuous improvement to increase system reliability and throughput. The role requires a strong safety mindset, technical aptitude, and attention to detail in managing critical process parameters. This is an entry-level position with strong potential for growth within the company. For your application to be considered, your resume should accompany the assignment below.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations & Monitoring
• Operate DAC process units including air handling systems, adsorption/desorption beds, steam supply, vacuum systems, and CO₂ compression/storage.
• Monitor control systems (SCADA) to track cycle performance, pressure, temperature, and flow rates.
• Optimize cycle timing and process parameters to maximize CO₂ capture efficiency.
• Perform routine inspections and record plant operating data in SCADA and other workbooks.

Process Troubleshooting & Maintenance
• Perform first-level troubleshooting on pumps, blowers, valves, and vacuum systems.
• Conduct maintenance and equipment servicing
• Assist with safe start-ups, shutdowns, and changeovers of process equipment.

Safety, Health & Environment
• Ensure strict compliance with DAC plant safety protocols, including handling steam, high-pressure gases, and chemicals.
• Report near-misses, unsafe conditions, and participate actively in safety audits and drills.

Quality & Efficiency
• Conduct basic sampling and testing to verify CO₂ purity and system performance.
• Work with process engineers to reduce downtime, improve cycle efficiency, and optimize utility consumption (steam, electricity, water).
• Support continuous improvement projects such as automation upgrades, sorbent performance trials, or energy optimization studies.

Documentation & Communication
• Maintain detailed records of adsorption–desorption cycles, CO₂ output, and utility consumption.
• Provide thorough shift handovers, highlighting key events, issues, and recommendations.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:
• Diploma / Certificate in Mechanical, Chemical, Process, or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Prior experience in the process industry (chemical, power, gas separation, utilities) is desirable.
• Experience in DAC, carbon capture, or gas handling plants is a plus.

Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with process instrumentation and control systems (SCADA).
• Basic knowledge of chemical handling, high-pressure systems, and rotating equipment.
• Fluency in analytical software such as Microsoft excel

Soft Skills:
• Strong safety-first mindset.
• Analytical thinker with good troubleshooting and problem-solving ability.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Flexibility to work shifts, nights, and weekends as .

Working Conditions
• Shift-based role; requires working in rotating cycles, including weekends, nights and holidays.
• Exposure to steam, noise, CO₂-rich environments, and chemical handling.
• Must use PPE (respiratory protection, gloves, goggles, etc.) in designated areas.

(Candidate must be willing and ready to relocate to Kikopey - Gilgil for this on-site role.

As part of your application process, please complete the challenge below and attach your solution by Wednesday 17th February 2026 at 5pm EAT

Assignment: Plant Operator Assessment Challenge.pdf

Submission Guidelines: - Have the solutions in one document (pdf format), that you’ll then upload along with your resume, clearly label each section. Have bias towards accuracy, formatting, and use of data analysis

Octavia Carbon offers competitive growth opportunities, a competitive salary, a route to owning company equity, and a high degree of professional freedom & responsibility, coupled with intense working environment to enable a steep learning curve.

Octavia Carbon is an equal opportunity employer and especially encourages applications from women, and individuals from diverse socioeconomic, religious and regional backgrounds.

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