About Us:
Byohm, the trading name for Wastewater Fuels Ltd, is a UK-based clean technology company pioneering next-generation wastewater treatment and renewable energy systems. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Coventry, West Midlands, we develop bio-electrochemical systems (BES) that convert wastewater into treated water and renewable fuels.
Driven by a mission to revolutionise wastewater treatment through low-energy, sustainable technologies, we aim to recover energy and protect natural resources. Our vision is to create a world where every drop of wastewater and organic waste contributes to a circular, decarbonised economy — transforming what was once waste into a valuable source of clean energy and environmental resilience.
Job Overview:
We are seeking a practical, reliable and detail- focused Pilot Optimisation Technician to support the day-to-day operation of pilot-scale wastewater treatment assets.
Working under the instruction of the Pilot Optimisation Lead, the successful candidate will help operate pilot reactors, collect samples, record observations, process routine data, maintain accurate logs, and report whether systems are operating correctly. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who is organised, consistent, observant, and comfortable working in field, pilot plant, and laboratory-adjacent environments.
The role is essential to ensuring that pilot assets are operated safely, data is captured accurately, samples are collected correctly, and any operational issues are identified and escalated early.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate pilot wastewater treatment systems under the direction of the Pilot Optimisation Lead.
- Carry out routine site checks, operational tasks, and reactor monitoring activities.
- Collect wastewater, sludge, gas, liquid, and process samples in line with agreed sampling plans and procedures.
- Label, store, transfer, and document samples accurately to ensure traceability from field to laboratory.
- Record daily operating data, observations, measurements, alarms, faults, interventions, and site conditions.
- Support routine monitoring of key operating parameters, including flow rates, pH, temperature, pressure, gas production, electrical readings, tank levels, dosing rates, and other golden measures.
- Process routine data using spreadsheets, templates, forms, dashboards, or digital systems.
- Check that data entries are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
- Report clearly when systems are operating normally, when something looks unusual, and when escalation is required.
- Support basic maintenance, cleaning, calibration, stock checks, and housekeeping of pilot equipment and work areas.
- Follow standard operating procedures, risk assessments, method statements, site rules, and health and safety requirements.
- Communicate daily findings, issues, and completed tasks to the Pilot Optimisation Lead and wider technical team.
- Support troubleshooting by providing clear observations, photographs, measurements, and records of what has changed.
- Help maintain equipment logs, sampling records, maintenance records, and operational documentation.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should have:
- Practical experience in a technical, operational, field, laboratory, manufacturing, process, water, wastewater, environmental, or engineering environment.
- A reliable and methodical approach to routine tasks, sampling, measurements, and record keeping.
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, checklists, and safety requirements accurately.
- Good attention to detail, especially when collecting samples, recording data, and reporting observations.
- Confidence using basic tools, equipment, meters, pumps, sensors, or process plant components.
- Basic data-handling skills, including use of Excel, Google Sheets, forms, or similar systems.
- Ability to communicate clearly when something is wrong, incomplete, unsafe, or outside the expected operating range.
- Willingness to work in field environments and around wastewater treatment systems.
- Good awareness of health and safety, hygiene, manual handling, and safe working practices.
- A proactive attitude and willingness to get stuck into practical operational work.
Desirable Skills and Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- Experience working in wastewater treatment, water treatment, anaerobic digestion, biogas, environmental monitoring, process operations, or pilot plant operation.
- Experience collecting and handling environmental, wastewater, biological, or laboratory samples.
- Familiarity with pH meters, conductivity meters, flow meters, gas meters, temperature probes, pressure gauges, dosing pumps, data loggers, or similar equipment.
- Experience completing site logs, shift reports, sampling sheets, maintenance checklists, or operational records.
- Basic understanding of biological treatment, wastewater processes, anaerobic digestion, or pilot-scale reactors.
- Experience working under the direction of an engineer, scientist, supervisor, or technical lead.
- Ability to spot trends, changes, faults, odours, leaks, blockages, unusual readings, or abnormal system behaviour.
- Full UK driving licence.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
- Reliable, punctual, and consistent.
- Practical and comfortable working hands-on with pilot equipment.
- Highly observant and quick to notice when something has changed.
- Honest and clear in reporting what has happened, including mistakes, failed checks, missing data, or abnormal readings.
- Organised and careful with samples, labels, logs, and records.
- Comfortable following instruction while also using common sense.
- Calm when things go wrong and willing to escalate issues early.
- Safety-conscious and respectful of site rules and procedures.
- Motivated by environmental technology, wastewater treatment, and practical engineering work.
Qualifications:
Minimum qualification: BSc degree, or equivalent, in Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Process Engineering, or a closely related scientific or engineering discipline.
Applicants with relevant practical experience in an operational, technical, laboratory, process, water, wastewater, environmental, or engineering environment will also be considered.
Preferred qualification: Degree-level qualification, apprenticeship, HNC, HND, or equivalent applied experience in Engineering, Environmental Science, Process Operations, Water/Wastewater Treatment, Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a related discipline.
Pay: £26,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Degree in Chemical, Enironmental, Biochemical, Process, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Education:
Experience:
- Practical experience in relevent industry: 1 year (required)
- Hands on approach to engineering and process troubleshooting: 1 year (required)
- Practical experience in technical, operational role : 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Full UK driving licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
