At Rubicon Organics, our vision is to be the most trusted house of premium cannabis brands – creating elevated experiences for people everywhere. Our mission is to build brands people believe in by delivering elevated experiences in all we do. Through uncompromising quality, purposeful innovation, and trusted partnerships, we create products and relationships that enrich lives and help shape the future of cannabis. 

We are seeking a highly experienced Hydrocarbon Extraction Specialist to lead the operational readiness, commissioning support, and production of our in-house extraction facility.

This role is critical to the successful launch of the hydrocarbon extraction operation, acting as the technical anchor for process execution, product quality, and knowledge transfer. The successful candidate will bring hands-on expertise in hydrocarbon extraction processes and will play a key role in:

Supporting equipment commissioning and validation
Developing SOPs and operational standards
Delivering consistent, high-quality vape oil and dabbable resin outputs
Training and scaling internal teams
Success in this role is defined by safe start-up, stable operations, high-quality outputs, and strong internal capability built through knowledge transfer.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning & Start-Up Support

Act as the primary technical owner during commissioning and start-up of hydrocarbon extraction systems.
Work directly with Engineering, OEMs, and external consultants to execute commissioning and validation plans.
Translate equipment design intent into practical, production-ready operations.
Identify technical gaps, start-up risks, and readiness issues; drive resolution before and during go-live.
Support development and execution of IQ/OQ/PQ–style validation activities where required.

Extraction Operations & Process Execution

Own day-to-day execution of hydrocarbon extraction processes during ramp-up and early steady-state.
Operate and optimize closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction systems to deliver consistent, commercial-grade crude oil, vape oil, and dabbale resin
Establish and control critical process parameters (temperature, pressure, solvent ratios, cycle times).
Drive optimization of yield, throughput, solvent recovery efficiency, and batch-to-batch consistency.
Troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues in real time; lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.

SOP Development & Process Standardization

Develop, document, and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for:
Extraction processes
Start-up and shutdown
Cleaning and maintenance
Safety protocols
Ensure procedures align with GPP/GMP and regulatory requirements.
Establish process control limits and best practices for repeatability.

Training & Knowledge Transfer

Act as the primary trainer for internal operators and technicians.
Translate consultant/OEM knowledge into practical, repeatable operations.
Build internal capability to reduce long-term reliance on external expertise.

Safety & Compliance

Ensure strict adherence to company safety protocols and regulatory compliance (Health Canada, WHMIS, etc.)
Identify and mitigate risks associated with hydrocarbon handling, pressurized systems, solvent storage and transfer
Promote a safety-first operational culture.

Product & Process Development Ownership

Act as the technical process owner for all hydrocarbon-derived product formats during development, scale-up, and commercialization.
Partner with Innovation / R&D to translate product concepts (e.g., target viscosity, terpene profile, stability, downstream compatibility) into robust, repeatable extraction processes.
Lead extraction-side experimentation to support:
New product formats (e.g., vape oil, live resin, shatter, future derivatives)
Process variations (fresh vs cured material, solvent ratios, run parameters)

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with:

Engineering (for system performance and modifications)
Maintenance (for reliability and troubleshooting)
Operations (for production planning)
Provide input on future equipment needs based on the product roadmap.

Qualifications & Experience

5+ years of hands-on experience in hydrocarbon extraction (cannabis or similar plant-based processes)
Proven experience operating closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction systems

Strong understanding of:

Process variables and their impact on yield and quality
Solvent recovery systems
Pressure and temperature control systems
Experience producing commercial-grade vape oil at scale
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and optimize extraction processes

Preferred

Diploma or degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
Experience in licensed/regulated environments
Exposure to multiple product formats (vape oil, shatter, live resin, etc.)
Experience supporting commissioning or start-up environments
Familiarity with process documentation and SOP development
Familiarity with solventless extraction processes and products

Key Competencies

Deep process expertise (“engineering + science + art”) mindset
Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capability
Ability to operate in ambiguous, start-up environments
High level of accountability for product quality
Strong communication and training ability
Safety-oriented decision-making

What We Offer

Given the criticality of this role, compensation will be aligned with senior-level expertise and market availability
Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
A dynamic, collaborative work environment in a rapidly growing industry.
The chance to be part of an innovative company making a significant impact.

Working Conditions

Work in an industrial processing environment (C1D1 classified areas)
Exposure to solvents, pressure systems, and specialized equipment
Flexibility to support commissioning, including extended hours during the start-up phase

Why Rubicon?

We believe in recognizing and rewarding the people who make our success possible. Our total rewards package is designed to support your career growth while also making life outside of work easier and more enjoyable. Highlights include:

Base salary of 70-120K with performance-based bonus opportunities of up to 10%
Phone stipend for up to $70 a month
Three weeks’ vacation to start
Medical and dental benefits after three months of employment

If you’re ready to make your mark and grow with a company that values quality, sustainability, and its people, we’d love to hear from you.

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Senior Hydrocarbon Extraction Specialist