The Role
Lead process design and scale-up of mining and metals operations from pilot to commercial scale. Own mass and energy balances, flowsheet development, equipment selection, and process optimization to improve throughput, recovery, and reliability. Identify and mitigate scale-up risks, support commissioning and ramp-up, and produce technical documentation and PFDs for stakeholders.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Phoenix Tailings
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world’s first fully clean mining and metals production company—producing the resources required to power the technology of today and tomorrow.
Why Phoenix Tailings
At Phoenix, we’re building more than technology—we’re building the future supply chain for critical and rare earth metals. This work matters. It demands urgency, rigor, and creativity. You’ll join a team that values ownership, technical excellence, and the courage to challenge legacy approaches to mining and metals production.
Our Values:
● You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong
● Lead with Compassion
● Be Resourceful
● Listen
● Hustle
Who We Are Looking For:
Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Senior Process Engineer with deep experience scaling mining or metals processing operations from pilot or early commercial stages into reliable, high-throughput systems. In this role, you will own core process design decisions that directly impact recovery, throughput, operating cost, and system reliability. Your work will be foundational to Phoenix Tailings’ transition from development-stage technology to full commercial operations—helping secure a domestic, clean supply of critical metals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead process design and scale-up of mining and metals operations from pilot to commercial production
- Own mass and energy balances across complex, multi-step processing flowsheets
- Define process architecture, operating envelopes, and design criteria to enable reliable, continuous operation
- Drive process optimization to increase throughput, recovery, and overall system efficiency
- Identify and mitigate scale-up risks related to materials handling, kinetics, residence time, and process control
- Support equipment sizing, selection, and specification for large-scale metals processing systems
- Develop and review process flow diagrams (PFDs), design bases, and technical documentation for internal and external stakeholders
- Partner with operations and leadership to support commissioning, ramp-up, and steady-state performance
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related discipline
- 7+ years of experience in process engineering within mining, metals, or extractive industries
- Demonstrated experience scaling mineral processing or metallurgical systems from pilot or demonstration scale to commercial operation
- Strong command of mass balances, process modeling, and flowsheet development
- Experience with hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, or combined processing routes for metals production
- Proven ability to diagnose process bottlenecks and implement scalable, data-driven solutions
- Comfortable operating in fast-moving environments where process design and execution evolve rapidly
We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
- Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee.
- Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
- Time Off: Unlimited PTO.
- Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.
This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary + discretionary bonus for this role. Total package may vary based on experience and qualifications.
Pay Range: $120,000- $160,000 total cash compensation plus equity
At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.
Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline
- 7+ years of process engineering experience within mining, metals, or extractive industries
- Demonstrated experience scaling mineral processing or metallurgical systems from pilot or demonstration scale to commercial operation
- Strong command of mass balances, process modeling, and flowsheet development
- Experience with hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, or combined processing routes for metals production
- Proven ability to diagnose process bottlenecks and implement scalable, data-driven solutions
- Comfortable operating in fast-moving environments where process design and execution evolve rapidly
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The Company
What We Do
Phoenix Tailings is a rare earth metals production company dedicated to restoring U.S. industrial independence by building domestic refining capacity. The company aims to redefine the industry as the first fully clean mining and metals producer, using sustainable, net-zero technology to transform mining waste (tailings) into critical rare earth metals and alloys essential for modern technology, defense, and green energy infrastructure.
