Operations Lead – Biochar Projects

We are seeking an experienced and technically strong Operations Lead for Biochar Projects to lead the setup, commissioning, and management of industrial-scale biochar production units. The role will require deep technical knowledge of pyrolysis/gasification systems, plant engineering, thermal energy systems, and operational best practices to ensure sustainable, high-performance facilities that deliver biochar, syngas, and co-generated energy.

This is a cross-functional leadership role that will bridge plant design, vendor and fabrication management, on-ground operations, emissions monitoring, feedstock logistics, and output quality.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Engineering, Design Setup

• Lead layout design, equipment selection, and thermal system design for modular biochar/gasification units.
• Manage end-to-end procurement, fabrication, quality checks, and factory acceptance testing (FAT).
• Drive site selection and oversee civil works, utility provisioning, and plant commissioning.
• Optimize plant design for maximum carbon sequestration and energy output efficiency (syngas, heat, electricity).

Technical Operations Management

• Create and implement SOPs for plant operations, including biochar yield optimization, syngas handling, ash disposal, and emissions control.
• Monitor key operational KPIs: throughput, uptime, biochar yield, energy efficiency, emissions, and safety.
• Troubleshoot real-time technical issues with pyrolysis/gasifier systems and propose design/process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, fire, and occupational safety standards (CPCB, MoEF, etc.).
• Integrate sensors, IoT tools, and digital dashboards for real-time plant data capture and remote monitoring.

Feedstock Product Management

• Develop feedstock supply chains, especially for cotton stalks and other biomass
• Manage biomass pre-processing (chipping, drying) to ensure feed quality.
• Optimize biochar properties (surface area, carbon content, stability)
• Work with R D on biochar testing, validation, and integration into soil health protocols.

Team Vendor Leadership

• Hire, train, and manage plant operations team (shift engineers, technicians, safety officers).
• Manage contracts and performance of EPC, O M, and fabrication vendors.
• Build a strong local site operations structure with community involvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with climate science and MRV teams to ensure accurate monitoring and reporting for carbon credit certification
• Align plant outputs with Varaha's commercial activities.
• Provide operational data, budget forecasts, and risk assessments to the finance and leadership team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Thermal, or Industrial Engineering.
• At least 10-15 years of experience in industrial plant setup and operations, preferably in thermal energy, biochar, pyrolysis, waste-to-energy, or biomass gasification domains.
• Deep technical understanding of fixed-bed, downdraft, or fluidized bed gasifiers or pyrolyzers.
• Proven experience in working with biomass feedstocks and emission control systems.
• Strong vendor and team management capabilities with experience leading multi-stakeholder projects.
• Willingness to travel to remote/rural locations and stay onsite as needed during commissioning and scale-up phases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in carbon credit projects or sustainable/renewable energy domains.
• Knowledge of Carbon Standards and certification protocols.
• Familiarity with biochar applications in agriculture or carbon sequestration science.

Understanding of carbon intensity metrics, LCA (life cycle analysis), and MRV protocols.

What we offer

Join a small, ambitious, and international team and enjoy the following benefits:

• Competitive salary ESOPs policy
• Key role in shaping a fast-growing climate tech startup
• Support for learning professional development
• A culture of undogmatic, unbureaucratic creativity and collaboration

Please note this job description is not designed to 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. Varaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.