Biochemical Engineer - Process Technician

📍 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada

📆 Employment: Full-time, 12-month Contract

👤 Report To: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

ABOUT GAIA REFINERY

Gaia Refinery is building the next generation of carbon removal technology. We are developing a modular, low-energy Direct Air Capture (DAC) platform designed for real-world deployment and commercialization. Our technology integrates directly into existing bio-industrial infrastructure, transforming waste biomass streams into scalable carbon removal solutions.

Every day, our team designs, builds, tests, and refines systems capable of capturing high-purity atmospheric CO₂ efficiently and affordably. We are laser focused on performance, durability, and integration, so that we are engineering the best modular unit that works at plant scale.

Our mission is clear: To enable gigaton-scale carbon removal by embedding modular CDR systems inside the industries that already power the global economy. We are not just developing technology. We are building a NEW infrastructure layer for the emerging carbon economy.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a versatile, hands-on Biochemical Engineering-Process Technician to be a core builder of our next-generation DAC prototypes.

This role is ideal for engineers who have expertise in biochemical process operations and love the process of optimization. It is for the individual who thrives on solving complex engineering challenges, enjoys hands-on lab and process work, and is eager to help scale a groundbreaking climate technology.

If you are a creative problem-solver who loves tackling open-ended challenges, pushing the boundaries of innovation, and working in a fast-paced startup environment, we want to hear from you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate and optimize our integrated carbon capture system.

• Conduct lab-scale experiments, chemical material treatments, and analytical chemistry tests to refine our process.

• Collaborate with engineers to assemble, troubleshoot, and enhance system efficiency.

• Collect, organize, and analyze data to support process improvements.

• Culture and maintain biocatalysts and optimize their growth on a supporting matrix.

• Assist in developing techno-economic and life cycle analysis (TEA-LCA) models based on system outputs.

• Ensure adherence to safety protocols for handling hazardous materials.

• Document results and generate reports using tools like Excel, R, and other analytical software.

• Maintain a clean and organized workspace, implementing 5S methodology where applicable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Environmental, Chemical, Biochemical, or Systems Engineering, or related fields.

• 1+ years of hands-on experience with process equipment (pumps, vacuums, piping systems, chemical instrumentation).

• 2+ years of experience in lab-scale experiments, chemical material treatments, microorganism culturing, and analytical chemistry tests.

• 1+ years working with mass/energy balance, technoeconomic analysis, and life cycle analysis models.

• Familiarity with industrial safety standards, lockout/tagout procedures, and controls-related risk mitigation.

• Strong coordination and problem-solving skills, with a team-oriented approach.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment, with a creative, innovative, and system-thinking mindset.

• A strong sense of accountability, initiative, and a passion for continuous improvement.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A front-row seat to invention. You won’t just execute tasks, you’ll shape prototypes, influence design decisions, and see your ideas tested in the lab and field.

• Work that matters. Not in theory, but in steel, pumps, data, and deployed systems. You’ll help build and operate real carbon removal hardware at industrial scale.

• A culture of high trust and high standards. We value clarity, direct communication, ownership, and the courage to challenge assumptions. We move fast, learn quickly, and improve continuously.

• Competitive compensation and meaningful time off. We know that building hard things require energy, focus, and balance.

• A chance to build infrastructure for the emerging carbon economy, and to leave behind systems that remove CO₂ for generations to come.

READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?

If you’re passionate about carbon removal, mechanical engineering, and sustainable innovation, we’d love to hear from you!