R&D Manager (Spoke Technology)

Cyclic Materials; Kingston; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental coverage

RRSP/401K contributions

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Cyclic Materials is seeking a detail-oriented Research and Development Manager to lead projects evaluating recycle feed materials and integrating them into commercial plants. The role focuses on comminution fundamentals and data-driven process optimization within a rapid-growth circular economy context, based in Kingston, ON.

You will head a multidisciplinary team, supervise technicians, and deliver rigorous technical reports, while collaborating with engineers and business development to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or mining engineering or related field with experience in mineral processing, comminution.
• Master of Engineering preferred, or extensive experience in lieu.
• 10+ years of experience in R&D, process optimization or project management in industrial manufacturing or recycling environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop testing methodologies and processes to evaluate new materials and optimize plant operations.
• Manage a team of technicians and document data on material compositions and process outcomes.
• Document findings and assist in preparing technical reports for internal teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineers and business development to refine analysis methodologies and testing accuracy.
• Participate in project meetings and provide progress updates.

Skills

R&D leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Materials processing

Mechanical engineering

Mining engineering

Comminution

Experiment design

Technical reporting

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/mining engineering or related field

Master of Engineering preferred

Tools

XRF

ICP

Lab instrumentation

Data analysis software

Job description

Cyclic Materials is building a resilient circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical materials. Through our proprietary MagCycle and REEPure processes, we recover rare earths from end-of-life products and transform them into high purity materials used in the production of permanent magnets. These materials are critical to the modern economy, including the production of electric vehicles, electronics, AI infrastructure, wind turbines, defense, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Founded in 2021, Cyclic Materials has rapidly progressed from technology development to commercialization. We currently operate facilities in Ontario and Arizona, with a new expansion underway in South Carolina. Backed by US$75 million in Series C financing led by T. Rowe Price, alongside strategic investors including Microsoft, Amazon, Hitachi Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion fund, Energy Impact Partners, ArcTern Ventures, and Fifth Wall, we are scaling to meet growing global demand for a secure and sustainable rare earth supply.

We have established commercial partnerships with global industry leaders such as Solvay, Vattenfall, Lime, and VACUUMSCHMELZE, enabling the deployment of recycled rare earth materials into real world supply chains. In 2025, Cyclic Materials was named one of the Top 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch by MIT Technology Review.

We are growing quickly and building the industrial backbone required for a circular rare earth economy. Joining Cyclic Materials means working on complex and exciting challenges at scale, alongside a team committed to executing and delivering measurable impact. If you are motivated by building critical infrastructure and advancing the circular economy, join us and help accelerate the growth of rare earth recycling.

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Research and Development Manager to join our team. This role will focus on leading projects which analyze and determine the composition of items we recycle, evaluate and optimize the process integration of new feed materials into our commercial plants, which contributes directly to our sustainable recycling and materials recovery initiatives. The successful candidate will bring expertise in comminution and fundamentals of breakage preferably in relation to metal scrap, research methodologies, and exceptional critical thinking abilities. This role will be based on Kingston, ON.

What you will be doing:

• Develop testing methodologies and processes to support the evaluation of new materials and optimizing plant operations.
• Manage a team of technicians, ensuring the collection and documentation of data related to material compositions and process outcomes to support the recycling and materials recovery process.
• Document findings and assist in preparing technical reports for both internal teams and stakeholders
• Collaborate with engineers and business development team to refine analysis methodologies and enhance testing accuracy.
• Participate in project meetings and provide updates on progress, findings, and any challenges encountered.

We seek an assortment of skills that would include all or a mix of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, mining engineering, or relevant field with experience in mineral processing, more specifically comminution.
• Master of engineering preferred, or extensive experience in lieu
• 10 years of experience in R&D, process optimization or project management in industrial manufacturing or recycling environments
• Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary teams in a production or research environment
• Knowledge of materials processing, characterization and elemental analysis techniques (e.g., specific energy, bond work index, breakage rate, etc.); strong data analysis and reporting ability
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and overseeing R&D or process improvement projects.
• Strong analytical skills and a keen interest in hands‑on research and testing
• Skilled in experimental design, process evaluation, and structuring complex data.
• Ability to work independently, follow safety protocols, and handle complex materials in a manufacturing and lab environment.
• Effective communication skills and a collaborative approach to problem‑solving.
• Basic understanding of elemental analysis techniques (XRF, ICP, etc.) or experience in lab-based work is preferred.
Strong attention to detail in a complex multi‑faceted structure

Pay Range: $140,000 CAD - $170,000 CAD

Why You Will Love Cyclic Materials

• At Cyclic Materials, we're dedicated to supporting our workforce on their unique career journey
• We offer a competitive compensation package including Health and Dental coverage, RRSP (Canada)/ 401K (USA) contributions and a generous paid time off program that lets you recharge
• We value diversity and are committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone is respected and recognized for their contributions

The base compensation offered is determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and competencies and considers internal equity.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Cyclic Materials is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an opportunity to succeed. If you require accommodation at any stage of the interview process, please email [e-mail] for employment in the Canada and US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States or Canada and with Cyclic Materials (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN, L1-A visa or any other non‑immigrant status).