Principal Research & Development Engineer​/Scientist – Electrochemistry

The Principal R&D Engineer/Scientist serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert in electrochemistry, with a focus on metal refining, purification, and high-purity copper technologies. This role leads complex R&D programs from concept and feasibility through process development, scale-up, and implementation in manufacturing. Working across R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Commercial, customers, and external partners, the position drives the development of new technologies, solves complex process and product challenges, and strengthens organizational technical capabilities.

The Principal Engineer/Scientist is expected to influence technology strategies, identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement, develop intellectual property, mentor technical teams, and deliver differentiated technologies that enhance product performance, manufacturing capability, and long-term competitiveness for Solstice’s PVD sputtering Targets business. This position reports directly to senior R&D manager, and will be located at our Spokane, WA.

• Work with members of the R&D team, Commercial group, customers, and external partners to identify, define, and lead research and development projects focused on electrochemical processes, copper refining and metal recovery.

• Design and conduct laboratory, pilot-scale, and production-scale experiments to develop and optimize electrochemical processes including electrorefining, electrowinning, electroplating, and related technologies.

• Work closely with Process Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to scale and commercialize new electrochemical technologies ensuring seamless transfer to manufacturing.

• Contribute to detailed process designs, equipment specifications, operating procedures, and scale-up plans in coordination with stakeholders.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in product quality, process efficiency, yield, and cost competitiveness.

• Provide technical support to solve customer issues related to new and existing products.

• Establish or expand laboratory and pilot-scale capabilities for electrochemical testing, electrolyte characterization, impurity analysis, corrosion evaluation, and process monitoring.

• Apply advanced analytical and characterization techniques to understand material behavior, contamination sources, and process-performance relationships.

• Stay current on developments in electrochemistry, copper refining, hydrometallurgy, battery materials, and electronic materials manufacturing. Identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement.

• Collaborate with universities, national laboratories, equipment suppliers, and external partners to develop next-generation process technologies.

• Generate intellectual property through invention disclosures, patent applications, and technical publications.

• Mentor engineers and scientists while providing technical leadership across multiple projects and disciplines.

• M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 10 years of industrial R&D or manufacturing experience in electrochemical process development, metal refining, or related technologies.

• Strong fundamental knowledge and hands-on experience with electrochemistry, electrorefining, electrowinning, electroplating, electrolyte chemistry, and process optimization.

• Demonstrated experience designing, executing, and scaling experimental programs from laboratory to pilot and manufacturing environments.

• Experience with process troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions in industrial operations.

• Strong analytical,…