Process Technician

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

Process Technician– ELYSIS

A New Era for the Aluminum Industry – ELYSIS 

Carbon Free Aluminum

There is a new, revolutionary way to make aluminum. It eliminates all greenhouse gases. And it produces oxygen! The ELYSIS™ technology is the greatest breakthrough in the aluminum industry since its beginnings in 1886. It has the potential to drastically reduce the environmental footprint of the global aluminum industry.

The ELYSIS™ technology effectively puts an end to the use of carbon anode in the aluminum smelting process. It features the newly developed breakthrough proprietary materials that are stable and do not react during the process. Thus, it eliminates all direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the aluminum smelting process and is the first technology ever that emits oxygen as its byproduct.

An unprecedented world-class partnership of two major aluminum industry pioneers – Alcoa and Rio Tinto – led to the formation of ELYSIS, announced in 2018. The Canadian Government and the Quebec Government, through participation of Investment Quebec, have decided to support and be part of this industry revolution. The world’s technology giant Apple has helped facilitate the collaboration between Alcoa and Rio Tinto on the carbon-free smelting process and has agreed to provide ELYSIS with technical support.

ELYSIS is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with Technology Research & Development locations in Alma, Quebec, Canada, in Jonquière, Quebec, Canada, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, United States, and in France.

ELYSIS provides a unique solution for drastic reductions in the carbon footprint of many products used in our daily lives, including transportation, construction, electrical and consumer goods industries.

ELYSIS metal is now being used by Apple (MacBook Pro and iPhone 12 SE), AB InBev (cans), Audi (e-tron GT wheels), and Corona (cans).

About the Location

The ELYSIS US Research & Development facility is in the Alcoa Technical Center (ATC) located in New Kensington, PA, which is the birthplace of the aluminum industry. Near Pittsburgh, PA, the ATC is where the process being scaled up by ELYSIS was first developed with a dedicated team who continues to reinvent the aluminum industry for a sustainable future.

About the position

The technician will participate in the development of innovative technology. This role is part of a development team working on the production, processing, testing, and scale-up of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques. This individual will assist with equipment operation, process development, and R&D experiments.

Key Activities/Responsibilities

• The technician will be responsible for leading and executing tasks including, but not limited to material batching, material handling (e.g., equipment loading and unloading), and equipment operation and maintenance.
• The technician will prepare and test samples for chemical composition and physical properties as required for material development using laboratory analytical equipment.
• Technician needs to have a diverse set of skills including strong mechanical aptitude to be able to work independently as well as leading teams for equipment disassembly, repair and trouble shooting.
• Develops and maintains safe work instructions and works in compliance with all Alcoa EHS best practices
• The technician will be required to operate overhead cranes, forklifts, and other mobile equipment.
• Must be able to eventually work a 12-hour rotating day and evening shift schedule. Schedule at first will be Monday - Friday daylight shifts.
• Independently outlines and performs required tasks to achieve objectives requested with infrequent review of progress and results.
• Coordinates activities related to projects, ensuring documentation, schedule, and metrics are met.
• Coordinates the execution of designed experiments. Record and analyze data. Interpret and communicate results and observations to other team members.

About You

• High school diploma/GED
• Strong aptitude in a skilled trade (e.g., vocational training in mechanical, electrical, automotive, HVAC, carpentry, welding, or, plumbing, etc.).
• 2+ years work experience in an industrial environment with emphasis on material handling
• Ability to work in a team oriented and learning environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Develop, recommend, and implement innovative procedures to solve problems.
• Demonstrate strong safety focus according to Alcoa EHS standards, protocols and tools.
• Ability to train and work with resources within and outside the program team.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills: MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Project, JMP, MS Access or other database.
• Strong documentation, organization and analytical skills for data management, analysis, and results presentation

Diversity: Be Part of an Unprecedented Partnership

At ELYSIS we are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome, they are essential to success of the unprecedented partnership that ELYSIS is.

We treat each other respectfully, fairly, compassionately and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes us different. At ELYSIS, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from women, the LGBTQIA2 community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds. ELYSIS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

About the Location

Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.   

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.  

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at gssrecruiting@alcoa.com.  

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!  

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.