Lead Process Engineer; Hydrometallurgy or Mining

Valor is an audacious deep-tech startup redefining the $2 trillion critical minerals market. We are

commercializing a proprietary electrochemical separation and refining platform that is cheaper,

more selective, and cleaner than incumbent technologies. Backed by a decade of research at MIT

and UIUC, our foundational technology tackles the acute and systemic challenges facing the next

generation of the critical minerals and metals industry.

Valor is led by Kunal Sinha, a 14-year veteran of Glencore, where he held senior leadership roles in

commodity trading and critical minerals businesses. Most recently he was CEO of Glencore’s global

recycling business ($200 MM EBITDA), SVP of North America, and led several investments. He

also helped close a $475 mm loan from the DOE LPO. Kunal was appointed to the UK Govt’s

battery strategy task force and has advised the US and Canadian governments on critical minerals.

Valor’s breakthrough technology has been developed by Prof. Xiao Su and Dr. Johannes Elbert,

leading experts in separation science and electrochemistry  team has over 70

publications in electrochemical separations and chemical processes and have been recognized by

prestigious awards through the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Institute of

Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and both the NSF and the DOE. The foundational research and

development were supported by several major federal grants. Valor is backed by top VCs and

Angels in the critical minerals space.

We are looking for a hands‑on, mission‑driven engineer to be a foundational member of our R&D

team. This is a  gets your hands dirty  job focused on leading the development and scale‑up of our

core electrochemical separation processes.

You will apply your deep industry experience in hydrometallurgy and mineral processing to help

build, commission, and operate our first Early Production Facility (EPF). This isn't about running a

traditional  brute force  solvent extraction plant; it's about using your practical knowledge to scale a

revolutionary, electrically‑driven process that replaces legacy methods. You will work in a duo with

our Lead R&D Engineer to bridge development and real‑world implementation.

• Lead the hands‑on operation of our processing line, including mechanical grinding, crushing, and hydrometallurgical processes.
• Lead the design, build, and commissioning of our EPF pilot lines.
• Manage the practical, day‑to‑day handling of solid feed stocks (e.g., e‑waste, auto‑catalysts,
• Work with the R&D team to implement and scale new electrochemical processes effectively.
• Focus on operational execution, cost reduction, and process optimization.
• Establish and run in‑plant operations, drawing on your deep industry experience.

• You have a B.S. in Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• You have significant industry experience. For this role, extensive industrial experience is very important.
• You have proven, hands‑on experience running mechanical grinding, crushing, and/or hydrometallurgical processes.
• Your experience ideally comes from established recycling companies or major mining firms but we will consider other similar industries and startups as well
• Direct experience with flotation and/or solvent extraction is preferred.
• You are a practical, hands‑on person, ready to manage the physical aspects of mineral processing.

Equity & Ownership:
Don’t just be an employee; be a builder. We offer competitive equity stakes where your technical contributions directly drive the company’s valuation.

Backed to Build:
We combine top‑tier VC and Angel backing, competitive salary and benefits, with startup agility. You will have the capital, tools, and runway to build and deploy with conviction.

Real‑World Impact:
You will be hands‑on in our first industrial deployment, building systems that fix the global critical minerals supply chain profitably, at scale, and sustainably.

Hard Problems Only:
We tackle the  impossible  industrial challenges others fear. Expect high autonomy, first principles thinking, and zero busy work.

To apply:

send us a copy of your CV along with a short statement on why you think you are a great fit for Valor’s mission. Please email us at