R&D Process Engineer

Evolve Scientific; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Evolve Scientific invites an R&D Process Engineer to join an innovative technology development team in Sydney, focusing on advancing rare earth magnet recycling. The role blends hands-on experimental work, equipment modification, commissioning and process optimisation within a collaborative setting.

You will operate and improve pilot reactors, build bench-scale electrochemical rigs and translate scientific concepts into practical equipment changes, helping steer scale-up and next reactor design

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical, Process, Mechanical, Mechatronics or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years experience in process development, pilot plants, commissioning or R&D engineering.
• Hands-on experience assembling, modifying and troubleshooting process equipment.
• Ability to translate scientific requirements into practical equipment and experimental setups.
• Good understanding of instrumentation, process-data collection and analysis.
• Ability to develop material and energy balances.
• Experience preparing engineering sketches, specifications and test plans.
• Strong practical problem-solving skills and ability to work with scientists and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Operate and improve existing pilot reactors, testing different feedstocks, loadings and operating conditions.
• Design, assemble and modify bench-scale hydrogen-assisted electrochemical cells and test rigs.
• Develop and implement practical changes to reactors, electrodes, pumps, piping, circulation, instrumentation and powder-recovery systems.
• Commission new or modified equipment and establish safe, repeatable operating conditions.
• Develop material and energy balances to assess throughput, recovery, energy use and material retention/loss.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, flow, instrumentation and electrical-interface issues with contractors where required.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Equipment modification

Process optimization

Troubleshooting

Data analysis

Materials & energy balances

Education

Degree in Chemical/Process/Mechanical/Mechatronics or related engineering

Tools

CAD

P&IDs

Design of Experiments

Job description

16h ago , from Evolve Scientific Recruitment

An exciting opportunity for an R&D Process Engineer to join an innovative technology development team focused on advancing rare earth magnet recycling. Based in Alexandria, Sydney, this role combines hands-on experimental work, equipment modification, commissioning and process optimisation.

Working closely with senior scientists and technical specialists, you will operate and improve existing pilot reactors, build and modify bench-scale electrochemical test rigs, and turn scientific concepts into practical equipment changes. This is a hands-on role involving equipment setup, commissioning, experimental trials and troubleshooting, with your results helping guide process scale-up and the next reactor design.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and improve existing pilot reactors, testing different feedstocks, loadings and operating conditions.
• Design, assemble and modify bench-scale hydrogen-assisted electrochemical cells and experimental test rigs.
• Develop and implement practical changes to reactors, electrodes, pumps, piping, circulation, instrumentation and powder-recovery systems.
• Commission new or modified equipment and establish safe, repeatable operating conditions.
• Develop material and energy balances to assess throughput, recovery, energy use and where material is retained or lost within the process.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, flow, instrumentation and electrical-interface issues, working with specialist contractors where required.

About the company & role:

An exciting opportunity for an R&D Process Engineer to join an innovative technology development team focused on advancing rare earth magnet recycling. Based in Alexandria, Sydney, this role combines hands-on experimental work, equipment modification, commissioning and process optimisation.

Working closely with senior scientists and technical specialists, you will operate and improve existing pilot reactors, build and modify bench-scale electrochemical test rigs, and turn scientific concepts into practical equipment changes. This is a hands-on role involving equipment setup, commissioning, experimental trials and troubleshooting, with your results helping guide process scale-up and the next reactor design.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and improve existing pilot reactors, testing different feedstocks, loadings and operating conditions.

• Design, assemble and modify bench-scale hydrogen-assisted electrochemical cells and experimental test rigs.

• Develop and implement practical changes to reactors, electrodes, pumps, piping, circulation, instrumentation and powder-recovery systems.

• Commission new or modified equipment and establish safe, repeatable operating conditions.

• Develop material and energy balances to assess throughput, recovery, energy use and where material is retained or lost within the process.

• Troubleshoot mechanical, flow, instrumentation and electrical-interface issues, working with specialist contractors where required.

Experience:

• Degree in Chemical, Process, Mechanical, Mechatronics or a related engineering discipline.

• 3+ years experience in process development, pilot plants, commissioning or R&D engineering.

• Hands-on experience assembling, modifying and troubleshooting process equipment.

• Ability to translate scientific requirements into practical equipment and experimental setups.

• Good understanding of instrumentation, process-data collection and analysis.

• Ability to develop material and energy balances.

• Experience preparing engineering sketches, specifications and test plans.

• Strong practical problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with scientists, engineers and contractors.

Desirable:

• Exposure to electrochemical cells, electrolysis or hydrogen systems.

• Experience taking processes from bench to pilot scale.

• Familiarity with pumps, circulation systems and solids or powder handling.

• Experience with high-current DC equipment.

• Familiarity with CAD, P&IDs or Design of Experiments.

• Experience in recycling, resource recovery or waste-derived feedstocks.

Culture & Benefits:

• Contribute to innovative rare earth magnet recycling technology.

• Work closely with experienced R&D and technical specialists.

• Gain exposure to bench and pilot-scale reactor development.

• See your engineering ideas built, tested and refined.

• Hands-on role with direct input into process improvements and future reactor design.

• Full-time, permanent role in Alexandria, Sydney.