Test Engineer - Biochar Pilot

We’re looking for a hands-on Test Engineer to help operate test and improve a small-scale biochar pilot system in Portsmouth VA. This is a field-based role at the intersection of waste processing thermal conversion and climate technology.

Our mission is to turn difficult waste streams into valuable products while helping build durable carbon removal solutions. This role is a great fit for someone who wants to work on real hardware real waste streams and real climate impact — not just theory. You’ll play a key part in generating the data operational insight and test discipline needed to scale a promising carbon removal pathway.

We’re especially interested in candidates with experience in the waste biomass organics high temperature processing or engineered fuels industries who are excited by the opportunity to apply that experience to a climate-focused startup environment.

Pilot Operations & Test Execution

• Execute test plans on a biochar system involving high-temperature thermal processes such as pyrolysis and combustion
• Operate equipment processing municipal solid waste (MSW) organics biomass and engineered fuels
• Handle prepare and feed variable waste streams safely and consistently
• Perform system startups shutdowns inspections and routine operating adjustments
• Ensure tests are run consistently safely and in accordance with defined procedures

Data Collection Analysis & Reporting

• Collect log and validate operational and test data with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Track feedstock characteristics such as moisture contamination and composition variability and relate those factors to system performance
• Use Excel and other straightforward tools to organize summarize and interpret test data
• Document results clearly and support development of repeatable test methods and operating procedures
• Help identify trends anomalies and opportunities to improve performance and data quality

Scientific & Analytical Support

• Support sample collection and characterization for biochar feedstocks and process outputs
• Work with laboratory and analytical equipment used to evaluate material and process performance
• Assist with validation of test methods and measurement quality across pilot and lab workflows
• Contribute to data packages used to support technical development reporting and scale-up decisions

Continuous Improvement

• Help identify process issues and support practical solutions during pilot operation
• Improve test procedures operating consistency and data quality over time
• Work closely with engineering and operations teams in a fast-moving pilot environment where systems and procedures are still evolving

Required

• 2–5 years of experience in an industrial pilot field laboratory or manufacturing environment
• Experience in waste processing organics handling biomass incineration engineered fuels or similar industrial sectors
• Familiarity with high-temperature thermal systems or industrial process equipment
• Strong attention to detail in data collection documentation and test execution
• Experience using Excel for data tracking organization and basic analysis
• Comfortable working in physically demanding industrial environments around waste streams and thermal equipment
• Strong safety-first mindset and respect for hazardous equipment variable feedstocks and industrial operating conditions

• Experience handling MSW organics biomass RDF SRF or other heterogeneous feedstocks
• Background in chemistry chemical engineering materials science environmental science or a related technical field
• Experience with lab-grade testing and analytical equipment including:
• Elemental analysis
• TGA
• Ultimate and proximate analysis
• Moisture and ash testing
• Other scientific instrumentation used for material characterization
• Experience with MRV for CDR or familiarity with measurement reporting and verification approaches for carbon removal systems
• Familiarity with DAQ systems sensors wiring or instrumentation
• Experience with pneumatic systems or propane/gas plumbing
• Experience validating system performance including debugging or identifying issues in computer vision systems

• You’re excited by the chance to work on a climate technology with real-world deployment potential
• You’re comfortable working with waste-derived and organic feedstocks and understand the challenges of variable materials
• You’re methodical organized and care about generating clean defensible data
• You like being close to the process and can move between field work test execution and technical documentation
• You take safety seriously and bring a practical hands-on attitude to industrial work
• You’re energized by startup environments where priorities evolve and the team is building as it goes

• Work on technology that connects waste management carbon removal and industrial decarbonization
• Help convert real-world waste streams into useful products and measurable climate impact
• Join a startup environment where your work will directly shape the pilot the data and the path to scale
• Build experience across operations testing materials characterization and climate-tech deployment

AMP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Applicants who identify with a historically underrepresented group are encouraged to apply. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Other duties: 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Equity Grant: The candidate selected for this role will be recommended for a stock option grant commensurate with the position and the candidate’s qualifications.

Benefits Information:

• Medical - The company covers between 77% to 100% of the premium for Cigna medical healthcare plans depending on the selection.
• Dental Vision Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance: The company covers the cost of Basic Life / AD&D 1 x Salary option to purchase additional through New York Life
• Benefits start the day you start
• HSA Eligible Health Plans Company Monthly Contributions!
• 401(k) retirement plan (non-matching)
• FTO - Flexible Time Off
• 6 Accrued Sick Days
• Eight (8) paid holidays

We'll consider applications on an ongoing basis.

What We Do

AMP is applying AI-powered sortation at scale to modernize the world's recycling infrastructure and maximize the value in waste. AMP gives waste and recycling leaders the power to harness AI to reduce labor costs increase resource recovery and deliver more reliable operations. With hundreds of deployments across North America Asia and Europe AMP’s technology offers a transformational solution to waste sortation and changes the fundamental economics of recycling.

Why Work With Us

At AMP our product is a new generation of material recovery: Smart Sortation. What matters to our customers—and to the world—is the efficient sortation and recovery of resources. We’ve been able to bring a new level of performance into the realm of the possible—and we’re ready to rapidly expand the scale and scope of the recycling industry.

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