Jobs at Phoenix Tailings

Act as the CTO's right hand for R&D and Technology, owning program management, roadmaps, milestone tracking, dependency management across chemistry and engineering workstreams, translating between technical teams and business stakeholders, preparing executive/investor materials, and building operating cadence and decision processes without adding bureaucracy.

Design, build, test, validate, and commission mechanical systems for high-temperature electrolysis, furnace, and electrochemical processes. Create 3D CAD models and drawings in SolidWorks, select mechanical components, develop and run V-Model-based verification/validation and DOE-driven test plans, and perform hands-on prototype assembly, troubleshooting, and commissioning in lab and pilot environments.

Lead hands-on R&D to develop and scale pyrometallurgical and high-vacuum processes for critical metals recovery. Design and run high-temperature experiments, operate and troubleshoot furnaces and vacuum equipment, analyze metals and process streams with analytical techniques, optimize process conditions, identify failure modes, and convert data into actionable process improvements to improve yield, purity, energy use, and scalability.

Run and document electrochemical experiments to develop and scale processes for critical metals recovery. Operate and troubleshoot lab electrochemical equipment, analyze data to identify performance limits and improvements, prepare samples and materials, and support scaling bench tests toward larger, reliable production systems.

Lead design and synthesis of novel ligands and extractants for selective recovery and purification of rare earth and critical metals. Develop structure–property relationships, build scalable synthetic routes, evaluate extraction performance and stability, use analytical techniques to characterize compounds, translate lab chemistry into process inputs, and generate technical reports guiding R&D and technology development.

Own post-award grant administration for federal awards (DOE, ARPA-E, etc.): manage compliance calendars, reporting, drawdowns, deliverables, audits, and agency relationships while coordinating R&D, finance, and legal teams to ensure timely, accurate submissions and milestone achievement.

Lead electrochemical R&D to develop and scale processes for critical metals recovery. Design and run electrochemical experiments, optimize cells, electrolytes, and electrodes, analyze performance with electroanalytical techniques, characterize materials, identify failure modes, and translate data into process improvements for scalable, energy-efficient production.

Hands-on Controller to build and scale finance operations: implement accounting systems, internal controls, and ERP; manage payroll, treasury, AR/AP; deliver GAAP-compliant reporting, budgeting, and forecasts; support fundraising and strategic financial planning while working with external accountants.

Design, program, and commission PLC and Ignition SCADA systems for large-scale manufacturing. Perform panel and field wiring, integrate sensors/VFDs, troubleshoot controls, and produce control documentation while collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and operations teams to stabilize and scale production.

Lead cost accounting, inventory valuation, month-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting for a growing manufacturing startup. Improve internal controls and processes, support audits and tax filings, collaborate with operations, and scale financial systems. Oversee job costing, overhead rates, and grant-related cost accounting.

Lead strategic sales growth by developing and executing go-to-market and offtake strategies, originating and negotiating long-term commercial agreements, building customer and partner relationships, providing market intelligence, and coordinating internal teams to convert commitments into operational plans.

Lead external business development to identify, advance, and close commercial opportunities (supply, offtake, strategic partnerships). Manage negotiations, build customer and partner relationships, produce market intelligence and proposals, and coordinate internally to align commercial commitments with operational and technical capabilities.

Lead corporate development activities including M&A, financings, strategic partnerships, and capital formation. Develop and run advanced financial models, evaluate market and technology opportunities, drive international expansion, manage investor and board communications, and establish financial and operational metrics to inform executive decision-making and company strategy.

Identify and qualify sales opportunities in Defense, Automotive, and Industrial sectors; create proposals, pitch decks, and presentations; perform market and competitive research; manage CRM and pipeline reporting; coordinate meetings and follow-ups; build long-term customer and partner relationships.

Lead operation and optimization of a Burlington pilot plant for rare earth and critical metal refining. Own equipment, troubleshoot mechanical and chemical process issues, analyze production data, collaborate with R&D to scale processes, author SOPs, and drive safety, efficiency, and uptime improvements.

Hands-on Production Engineer supporting pilot-scale critical metal refining: operate and troubleshoot pilot equipment, run experiments, collect and analyze process data, optimize yield and throughput, support equipment setup and transitions, maintain production documentation, implement process improvements, and enforce safety on a 24/7 pilot production floor.

Drive commercial growth by originating, negotiating, and closing multi‑million-dollar offtake agreements and partnerships across defense, automotive, clean tech, and advanced manufacturing. Build pipeline, engage Tier 1 OEMs and supply‑chain partners, structure complex commercial deals, translate technical capabilities into customer value, and inform production and go‑to‑market strategy.

Lead scale-up of solvent extraction separation systems from bench to pilot to commercial scale. Design and operate bench and pilot units, develop scale-up strategy and controls, create process documentation, identify and solve bottlenecks, and build and mentor a separation engineering team to deploy clean rare earth and critical metal production.

Support corporate growth via financings, M&A, strategic partnerships, and international expansion. Build financial models, conduct market and company analysis, prepare investor- and executive-facing materials, manage due diligence, coordinate cross-company projects, track business and financial metrics, and support investor relations and fundraising activities.

Support owner-side engineering for recycling facility expansion: review contractor deliverables, plan and support installation, manage field technical coordination, assist procurement and vendor submittals, and participate in commissioning/startup and stabilization activities.