2.6. Chemical Development Engineer I

Phoenixtailings; Burlington (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical, dental, and vision coverage

Ownership in a venture-backed company

Flexible vacation policy

Learning and development opportunities

Parental leave and family flexibility

Job summary

Phoenixtailings, based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is seeking a Development Engineer I. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in chemical engineering and be eager to tackle real-world process challenges in critical metals recovery.

This role involves designing experiments, optimizing processes, and supporting technical infrastructure for clean manufacturing. We offer a competitive salary range of $70,000 to $100,000 annually and a range of employee benefits including healthcare coverage and flexible vacation policies.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in chemical or metallurgical process development.
• Familiar with mass and energy balances, process modeling.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory or pilot-scale equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments for rare earth extraction.
• Build and validate process models for mass and energy balances.
• Optimize chloride leaching and filtration operations.

Skills

Chemical process engineering

Mass and energy balances

Process modeling

Data analysis (Excel, Python)

Solid communication skills

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Laboratory equipment

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 looking for a Development Engineer I with a strong technical foundation and a desire to apply their knowledge to solving real-world process challenges in critical metals recovery. In this role, you’ll support the design, execution, and analysis of rare earth element processing technologies and contribute to building out the technical infrastructure that enables the future of clean manufacturing. This position is ideal for someone with early-career experience or a strong academic background in chemical process engineering, including working with mass and energy balances, PFDs, and P&IDs.

Salary Range: $70,000/year- $100,000/year

Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments across the rare earth extraction and metallization process flowsheet
• Build and validate process models including comprehensive mass and energy balances
• Optimize chloride leaching, dissolution, and filtration operations to improve efficiency and product quality
• Support the development of advanced separation techniques for REE purification and concentration
• Develop robust precipitation processes for conversion of rare earth chlorides into high-purity oxides
• Contribute to early-stage metallization process R&D for converting oxides into individual rare earth metals
• Analyze experimental data and use findings to drive iterative improvements to the process
• Specify and evaluate equipment required for pilot and commercial-scale implementation
• Document all research procedures, findings, and recommendations with technical precision
• Ensure all experiments and development efforts align with EH&S and sustainability standards

Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
• 1–3 years of experience in chemical or metallurgical process development (internships and co-op experience welcome)
• Familiarity with mass and energy balances, process modeling, and basic process calculations
• Experience interpreting or developing PFDs and P&IDs
• Hands‑on experience with laboratory or pilot-scale chemical equipment
• Comfortable using tools for data analysis and reporting (Excel, Python, or similar)
• Solid communication skills and ability to clearly document technical work
• Familiarity with rare earth chemistry or hydrometallurgy is a plus
• Driven by curiosity, mission, and a desire to help solve one of the most important resource challenges of our time

Benefits

• Healthcare: 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

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, genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics. These characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work‑related decisions, including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline.