Senior Specialist, Research Metallurgist

Ma'aden Gold and Base Metals (MGBM); Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Ma'aden Gold and Base Metals (MGBM) in Saudi Arabia seeks a Senior Specialist, Research Metallurgist to drive metallurgical R&D from lab to plant, improving recovery, product quality, and process efficiency. You will lead advanced testwork programs and deliver robust technical evaluations to support feasibility studies, pilot campaigns, and technology deployment.

The role requires hands-on experience in metallurgical testwork, data interpretation, and independent advisory across engineering,

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 6–8 years' experience in metallurgical research, mineral processing testwork, pilot plant operations, process development, or extractive metallurgy.
• Hands-on experience designing and interpreting metallurgical testwork and complex data.
• Ability to guide less experienced team members or external service providers.

Responsibilities

• Deliver metallurgical investigations to improve understanding of process performance, recovery opportunities, and technical constraints.
• Generate reliable laboratory and pilot-scale data that supports engineering studies, technology evaluations, and operational decisions.
• Translate complex metallurgical findings into clear recommendations for engineering, operations, and management stakeholders.
• Identify technical risks, uncertainties, and performance gaps while recommending practical mitigation and improvement actions.
• Support scale-up and technology deployment activities through technically sound recommendations and evaluation inputs.

Skills

Metallurgical testwork

Mineral processing

Mass balancing

Data interpretation

Root cause analysis

Process optimization

Technical reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder communication

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy or related

Job description

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Specialist, Research Metallurgist advances Maaden’s technology and innovation agenda by converting metallurgical research, testing, and process development into tangible operational and commercial value. The role strengthens decision‑making by providing deep technical expertise that improves resource recovery, process performance, product quality, and operational efficiency.

The role reduces technical uncertainty through rigorous laboratory and pilot-scale investigations, enabling informed investment, engineering, and process optimization decisions. Through robust analysis and evidence‑based recommendations, it accelerates innovation while minimizing operational and metallurgical risk.

By bridging research, pilot testing, and operational implementation, the role supports sustainable growth, technology advancement, and continuous improvement across Ma’aden’s mining and minerals processing operations.

What You Will Deliver

Metallurgical Research & Technical Evaluation

• Deliver specialized metallurgical investigations that improve understanding of process performance, recovery opportunities, and technical constraints.
• Generate reliable laboratory and pilot‑scale data that supports engineering studies, technology evaluations, and operational decisions.
• Strengthen confidence in metallurgical decisions through rigorous testing, analysis, and interpretation of complex datasets.

Process Development & Optimization

• Improve recovery, grade, throughput, reagent efficiency, energy performance, and product quality through data‑driven process recommendations.
• Develop and refine metallurgical flowsheets, operating parameters, and testing methodologies that enhance operational performance.
• Support scale‑up and technology deployment activities through technically sound recommendations and evaluation inputs.

Technical Analysis & Decision Support

• Deliver technical assessments, mass and metal balances, kinetics evaluations, and process analyses that enable informed decision‑making.
• Translate complex metallurgical findings into clear recommendations for engineering, operations, and management stakeholders.
• Identify technical risks, uncertainties, and performance gaps while recommending practical mitigation and improvement actions.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Advance innovation initiatives through evaluation of new technologies, methodologies, and process improvement opportunities.
• Strengthen continuous improvement programs by identifying opportunities to enhance metallurgical performance and operational effectiveness.
• Support knowledge development and transfer that enables long‑term technical capability growth.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Technical Leadership

• Provide specialist metallurgical expertise to multidisciplinary teams, laboratories, pilot plant personnel, and external partners.
• Strengthen technical execution through guidance, mentoring, and alignment with approved quality and safety standards.
• Deliver clear technical reports, presentations, and recommendations that facilitate action and value realization.

What Success Looks Like

• Metallurgical test work and investigations consistently deliver reliable data and actionable technical insights.
• Process improvement initiatives result in enhanced recovery, product quality, efficiency, and operational performance.
• Technical recommendations successfully support feasibility studies, pilot campaigns, technology evaluations, and process development projects.
• Metallurgical risks and process challenges are identified early and addressed through practical, evidence‑based solutions.
• Stakeholders receive clear, timely, and high‑quality technical support that improves decision quality and project outcomes.
• Innovation, safety, quality, and continuous improvement objectives are consistently achieved.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience

• 6–8 years of relevant experience in metallurgical research, mineral processing testwork, pilot plant operations, process development, or extractive metallurgy.
• Hands‑on experience designing and executing metallurgical testwork programs and interpreting complex technical data.
• Experience supporting feasibility studies, process optimization initiatives, pilot campaigns, operational troubleshooting, and technology evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, provide specialist advice, and guide less experienced team members or external service providers.

Skills That Matter

• Metallurgical testwork design and execution
• Mineral processing and extractive metallurgy
• Mass and metal balancing
• Flowsheet development and process optimization
• Pilot plant testing and scale‑up support
• Technical data interpretation and statistical analysis
• Technical problem solving and root cause analysis
• Engineering and feasibility study support
• Process performance evaluation
• Technical reporting and documentation
• Technology assessment and innovation delivery
• Continuous improvement and value optimization
• Stakeholder communication and influencing
• Cross‑functional technical collaboration
• Technical coaching and knowledge transfer
• Laboratory and contractor coordination
• Results orientation and accountability
• Safety and quality leadership