1.3 Lead Upstream Process Engineer

Phoenix Tailings; Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Lead Upstream Process Engineer to spearhead the design and optimization of critical separation processes for rare earth elements. This role involves translating R&D findings into scalable production, collaborating across teams, and leveraging robust engineering fundamentals. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in process engineering and a passion for sustainable mining.

Benefits

100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company

Flexible vacation policy

Parental leave and family flexibility

Regular team events and celebrations

Learning and development opportunities

Results-focused flexible culture

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in process engineering, focusing on separations.
• Experience designing and interpreting PFDs and P&IDs for integrated systems.
• Practical experience scaling up lab processes to production.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of upstream chemical processes.
• Design and review process documentation including PFDs and P&IDs.
• Troubleshoot and improve upstream operations through root cause analysis.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen

ChemCAD

SysCAD

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, 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 seeking a Lead Upstream Process Engineer to drive the design, optimization, and scale-up of critical separation and purification processes for rare earth elements. This engineer will lead efforts from bench-scale experimentation to full-scale deployment, applying rigorous mass and energy balance modeling and designing systems grounded in process fundamentals. Candidates should bring experience in solvent extraction or experience with related separation technology as well as thrive at the interface of chemical engineering, design documentation, and field-scale implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead development, modeling, and optimization of upstream chemical processes including dissolution, solvent extraction, and impurity control
• Translate R&D findings into scalable processes by developing comprehensive mass and energy balances
• Design and review process documentation including Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
• Evaluate and refine unit operations through data-driven testing at lab, pilot, and production scales
• Specify and support the integration of separation technologies and associated control strategies
• Collaborate with mechanical and controls engineers to ensure process integrity and scalability
• Troubleshoot and continuously improve upstream operations through root cause analysis and technical iteration
• Produce clear documentation including SOPs, technical reports, and engineering standards

Qualifications:

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering or closely related field
• 8+ years of experience in process engineering, preferably with a focus on separations, chemical processing, or hydrometallurgy
• Demonstrated experience designing and interpreting PFDs and P&IDs for integrated process systems
• Proficiency in mass and energy balance calculations and familiarity with modeling tools (e.g., Aspen, ChemCAD, SysCAD)
• Practical experience scaling up lab processes to pilot or production systems
• Familiarity with solvent extraction, filtration, and precipitation-based systems
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills

We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:

• 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).