About Big Blue Technologies
Big Blue Technologies is a start-up based in Cheyenne, WY. We are scaling up the world’s most material and energy-efficient process for primary magnesium metal production. We’ve completed piloting and are now building a commercial demonstration.
Magnesium metal is among the most critical minerals that are not currently produced in North America. Big Blue is working to change that. Our technology allows economic smelting of common minerals. We strive to restore supply for defense, aluminum alloying, vehicle lightweighting, titanium production, and other critical industries.
Joining Big Blue Technologies means playing a foundational role in bringing this first-of-a-kind technology to commercial reality.
Job Description
Big Blue Technologies is seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Director of Operations to serve as the operational lead of our commercial demonstration. This role is designed for an engineer who can translate novel metallurgical processes into safe, repeatable, and scalable operations. You will operate the full-scale commercial smelter.
As Director of Operations, you will own day-to-day execution, lead a small technical team, manage contractors, and ensure that operations continue to run safely and effectively. This is a critical leadership role in a capital-intensive, high-temperature industrial startup.
Importantly, we are seeking a candidate who embodies our core values: technical rigor, operational discipline, clear communication, and an assumption of goodwill, even under pressure.
This position is in-person on a 4 or 5-day schedule. The facility is within 1 hour drive of Fort Collins, northern Denver, and Laramie.
Responsibilities
Operations & Execution
- Own daily operation of magnesium production systems, including high-temperature furnaces, materials handling, and ancillary equipment.
- Lead commissioning, startup, shutdown, and troubleshooting of first-of-kind processes.
- Make real-time operational decisions balancing safety, uptime, learning, and cost.
Leadership & People
- Lead and direct technicians, engineers, and contractors in a small, fast-moving team.
- Establish expectations for safety, documentation, and professionalism.
- Serve as the on-site operational authority when the CTO is absent.
Maintenance & Reliability
- Own maintenance planning, spare parts strategy, and equipment reliability.
- Coordinate with vendors and fabricators to resolve mechanical and materials issues.
- Track downtime, root causes, and corrective actions.
Process Translation & Scale-Up
- Work closely with the CTO and technical leadership to translate process intent into executable operating procedures.
- Use operational results to inform process improvements and future plant design.
- Support scale-up planning from pilot to demonstration and first commercial systems.
Safety & Compliance
- Enforce safety protocols, permitting, lockout/tagout, and hot-work discipline.
- Help establish an operational safety culture appropriate for reactive metals and high-temperature systems.
- Interface with inspectors, insurers, and regulators as required.
Documentation & Communication
- Ensure accurate documentation of operating procedures, incidents, maintenance actions, and experimental results.
- Communicate clearly and consistently with leadership on operational status, risks, and needs.
- Contribute to internal reports, investor updates, and technical summaries as needed.
Startup Flexibility
- As an early hire, be willing to wear many hats outside of a narrow job description.
- Help build the operational backbone of the company from the ground up.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in industrial operations, scale-up, commissioning, or plant environments.
- Experience with high-temperature, hazardous, or capital-intensive processes (metals, mining, cement, glass, chemicals, refractories, etc.).
- Demonstrated ability to lead people and make decisions.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort working directly with equipment.
- Excellent communication skills and a bias toward action and accountability.
Highly Desirable
- Experience with magnesium metal
- Experience commissioning pilot or demonstration-scale plants.
- Experience managing contractors and vendors.
- Familiarity with vacuum systems, furnaces, and reactive materials.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $105,000 – $145,000
- Equity: Meaningful equity participation commensurate with experience
- Growth Path: Clear path to VP Operations / COO as the company scales
- Health, Dental, Vision, FSA
Equal Opportunity Employer
Big Blue Technologies is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.