4.3. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Engineer

Phoenix Tailings; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A clean mining and metals production startup in Exeter is seeking a QA/QC Engineer to oversee quality standards in rare earth metal production. This role involves developing protocols, coordinating analytical testing, and ensuring batch traceability across the production lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have a B.S. in a relevant field and 3+ years of experience in quality engineering. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare, flexible vacation, and opportunities for personal growth and development.

Benefits

100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Ownership in a fast-growing venture

Parental leave and flexibility

Flexible vacation policy

Regularly scheduled events and celebrations

Learning and development opportunities

Results-focused flexible culture

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in quality engineering or analytical testing in a manufacturing or chemical environment.
• Familiarity with quality control protocols in a production setting.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve QA/QC protocols across production stages.
• Conduct sampling and analytical testing procedures.
• Ensure batch traceability through digital tracking systems.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data analysis

Strong communication skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Education

B.S. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

ICP-OES

GDMS

XRF

SEM-EDS

Moisture analysis

Job description

About Phoenix Tailings

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy.

Why Phoenix Tailings

At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.

Our Values

● You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong

● Lead with Compassion

● Be Resourceful

● Listen

● Hustle

Who We Are Looking For

Phoenix Tailings is looking for a QA/QC Engineer to drive the reliability, traceability, and standardization of our rare earth metal production. This engineer will be integral to enforcing quality standards throughout every stage of the production lifecycle—from feedstock qualification through final ingot packaging. You'll work hands-on across operations, engage with external analytical partners, and help implement a quality management systems. This is a mission-critical role to ensure our metals meet the rigorous purity and specification demands of high-tech applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and continuously improve QA/QC protocols across feedstock intake, oxide pre-treatment, metal production, and post-processing
• Lead hands-on sampling, analytical testing, and batch qualification procedures using internal and external labs
• Ensure traceability of each batch through digital tracking systems, linking raw materials to final product
• Maintain and enforce quality holds at key checkpoints (e.g., moisture analysis, ICP-OES validation, GDMS/WDXRF)
• Own and manage root-cause analysis and corrective actions for any failed or out-of-spec batches
• Collaborate with engineering teams on process audits to identify, rank, and control quality-impacting parameters
• Drive continuous improvement through experimentation, statistical process control, and implementation of corrective/preventative actions (CAPAs)
• Interface with 3rd-party analytical labs to validate repeatability and accuracy for customer-facing specifications

Qualifications

• B.S. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field
• 3+ years of experience in quality engineering or analytical testing in a manufacturing or chemical environment
• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as ICP-OES, GDMS, XRF, SEM-EDS, and moisture analysis
• Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and data analysis proficiency
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and documentation
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, hands-on startup environment where flexibility and initiative are critical

Exceptional project management skills, with experience managing complex, multidisciplinary initiatives. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.

• Healthcare, we care about you and your family:100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Stock:Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
• Family Focus:Parental leave and flexibility for families.
• Time Off:Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.
• Team Fun:Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations.
• Learning:Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career.
• Great team:Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference!
• Flexible culture:We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day.

At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.

Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).