The Role
Operate and optimize commercial rare earth metal production systems, improving throughput, yield, quality, reliability, and safety. Lead root-cause investigations, corrective actions, process scale-up, commissioning, SOP development, operator training, and continuous improvement initiatives. Serve as the technical escalation point for production issues, mentor operators and junior engineers, and collaborate with R&D, materials, and chemical engineering teams in a hands-on production-floor environment.
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 needed for the next generation of our economy.
Why Phoenix Tailings
At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
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 hands-on, experienced, and mission-driven Senior Production Engineer to help launch and scale our first commercial rare earth metal production facility in Exeter, NH. You'll help to scale our next-generation systems rare earth metal refining processes and enabling safe, consistent, and high-performance operation. You’ll work directly on the floor with operators, engineers, and plant leadership to turn breakthrough innovation into industrial reality — producing the rare earth and critical metals that power the modern world.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate and optimize next-generation metal production systems to achieve throughput, yield, and quality targets
- Drive root-cause investigations and corrective actions for process deviations or equipment issues
- Lead data-driven improvement efforts to reduce downtime, increase throughput, and ensure process reliability
- Scale pilot metal recovery processes into full commercial production lines with minimal disruption
- Develop and refine SOPs, process documentation, and training materials to enable safe and repeatable operations
- Support process commissioning and startup for new systems and upgrades in Exeter
- Mentor operators and junior engineers, building operational excellence and a strong safety culture
- Serve as the technical point of contact for day-to-day production issues and escalations
- Partner with R&D, materials, and chemical engineering teams to integrate upstream and downstream processes
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and accountability across the facility
Qualifications:
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
- 4–7 years of experience in production, process, or manufacturing engineering — ideally in heavy industry or chemical processing
- Proven ability to lead hands-on process troubleshooting, improvement initiatives, and equipment optimization
- Strong mechanical aptitude with experience operating and improving industrial-scale systems
- Proficient in analyzing production data and translating insights into actionable improvements
- Comfortable working on a production floor environment and supporting rotating shift teams as needed
- Able to work independently in fast-paced, ambiguous situations with a strong sense of ownership
- Abie to lift up to 50 lbs
- Able to wear a respirator for extended periods of time
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.
- Great team: Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference!
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
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
- 4-7 years of experience in production, process, or manufacturing engineering
- Experience in heavy industry or chemical processing
- Ability to lead hands-on process troubleshooting, improvement initiatives, and equipment optimization
- Strong mechanical aptitude and experience operating and improving industrial-scale systems
- Proficiency analyzing production data and translating insights into actionable improvements
- Comfort working on a production floor and supporting rotating shift teams as needed
- Ability to work independently in fast-paced, ambiguous situations with strong ownership
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to wear a respirator for extended periods
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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.
