Mechanical Engineer
Charleston, South Carolina
About Red Metals
Red Metals is rethinking the domestic copper supply chain at a pivotal moment in American industry.
Copper underpins electrification, data centers, and defense systems. U.S. demand already exceeds domestic supply, and the gap is widening as grid modernization, the energy transition, and buildout of AI infrastructure accelerate.
We are building a new model for this critical industrial layer in the United States.
The Role
We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and operate our first copper processing and refining systems.
This is not a support role. You will take process concepts from first principles through commissioning and into production, and you will own performance, reliability, and output.
What You’ll Do
Design and build mechanical systems. Own mechanical performance across the plant.
Translate process concepts into equipment specifications, mechanical layouts, and fabrication drawings
Select and integrate mechanical equipment across the flowsheet
Work closely with chemical and controls engineers to build a functioning plant
Commission mechanical systems, including hands-on troubleshooting on the plant floor
Define maintenance procedures, inspection intervals, and reliability KPIs
Analyze equipment data and drive improvements in yield, quality, and throughput
Interface directly with vendors, fabricators, and contractors to execute quickly
Contribute to development of in-house controls and automation systems, using AI and process data to accelerate development, improve reliability, and continuously optimize
Red Metals Non-Negotiables
Bias for Action
We move fast. Speed beats polish. We use every tool, especially AI, to accelerate decisions, execution, and learning.
Grit
We do hard things because they matter. We keep pushing when others quit.
Ownership
We own outcomes, not tasks. We see problems, fix them, and follow through across functions.
Signal
We cut through noise. We communicate clearly and directly so decisions are fast and execution stays sharp.
Craft
We take pride in our work. Quality, care, and precision are the standard.
What We’re Looking For
Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience demonstrating mechanical engineering capability
3-8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, ideally in metals, mining, refining, or heavy industry
Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, process development, and materials, whether developed through formal education or practical experience
Experience taking mechanical systems from design into real operation
Comfortable working on the plant floor in an industrial environment
Ability to operate with incomplete information and make sound decisions quickly
Strong Pluses:
Experience with mechanical processing or sorting of mined or secondary materials
Experience with copper or non-ferrous metals processing
Experience commissioning industrial equipment
Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation
Startup or early-stage experience
Why Red Metals
Build a company from zero, not optimize an existing system
Direct ownership of critical process and operational decisions
Work on a problem that matters: rebuilding U.S. industrial capacity
Small team, high trust, no bureaucracy
Location
This role is based in Charleston, South Carolina and requires on-site work.
Skills Required
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience
- 3-8+ years of mechanical engineering experience, ideally in metals, mining, refining, or heavy industry
- Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, process development, and materials
- Experience taking mechanical systems from design into real operation and owning mechanical performance
- Comfortable working on the plant floor in an industrial environment and hands-on troubleshooting
- Ability to operate with incomplete information and make sound decisions quickly
- Experience commissioning industrial equipment
- Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation
- Experience with mechanical processing or sorting of mined or secondary materials, or copper/non-ferrous metals processing
- Startup or early-stage company experience
What We Do
Red Metals is a next-generation copper manufacturer dedicated to reshoring American copper refining and building a new domestic supply chain for finished copper products. By converting copper feedstocks through a single continuous operation, the company reduces energy use and emissions. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Red Metals produces high-conductivity copper rod to support critical infrastructure, including data centers, grid modernization, electrification, and defense.
