Lead Separation Engineer

Lead Chemical Process Engineer – Separation

Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Lead Chemical Process Engineer – Separation with deep expertise in solvent extraction and process development to own the scale-up of rare earth separation systems from bench to pilot to commercial-scale production. This role will be instrumental in building the technical foundation of our separation technologies and will take a leadership role in developing both the process and the team that will bring it to life.

You will help define how clean rare earth separations are designed, built, and scaled in the U.S. and directly shape the future of sustainable critical materials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the full lifecycle of solvent extraction process development: from bench-scale R&D through pilot and into full-scale commercial deployment
• Design, operate, and optimize bench-scale experiments to evaluate separation performance and extract ant chemistry
• Develop and operate pilot-scale solvent extraction systems, collecting real-time data and translating findings into scalable design improvements
• Define scale-up strategy, equipment selection, and process control logic for transition to production-scale systems
• Create and maintain detailed process documentation, including mass balances, PFDs, SOPs, and operational guidelines
• Build and mentor a growing separation process team, including chemical engineers and technicians
• Identify critical process bottlenecks and propose engineering solutions using both experimental and modeling approaches
• Ensure safety, reliability, and process integrity across all phases of development
• Contribute to broader separation technology roadmaps and help set technical direction for future rare earth and critical metal systems

Qualifications:

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in solvent extraction, hydrometallurgy, or chemical process development
• Proven success scaling chemical separation processes from lab to pilot to production
• Deep understanding of separation chemistry, extract ant systems, and multi-stage liquid-liquid extraction equipment
• Experience designing and operating pilot systems such as mixer-settlers, centrifugal contractors, or columns
• Strong background in data analysis, process modeling (e.g., Aspen, MATLAB), and scale-up engineering principles
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow technical teams, with strong mentoring and collaboration skills
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities

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.