Analytical Chemist

solcoa; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-provided lunch daily

Visa sponsorship available

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Solcoa is hiring an Analytical Chemist to operate our analytical instruments and characterize rare earth materials in Alameda, CA. You will prepare and analyze oxide feedstocks, metals and powders, reporting results to research and production teams.

This hands-on lab role emphasizes sample prep, instrument operation and repeatable measurement. Key tasks include running ICP-OES/ICP-MS, SEM-EDX, XRD, and IGF measurements, maintaining instruments, and generating clear analytical reports.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Chemistry or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of analytical lab experience; graduate research counts.
• Hands-on experience with ICP-OES or ICP-MS, including sample prep and maintenance.
• Ability to follow SOPs, document methods and explain results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Operate ICP-OES and ICP-MS to measure contents and impurities using established methods.
• Prepare samples and standards, including digestion, dilution and contamination control.
• Use SEM-EDX to study morphology and elemental distribution; identify crystalline phases with XRD.
• Measure oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen using inert gas fusion with proper calibration.
• Perform QC with blanks, reference materials, spikes and duplicates; review results.
• Maintain and troubleshoot instruments; coordinate service and consumables.
• Collaborate with research and production to investigate unexpected results and improve processes.
• Write SOPs, maintain traceable data, and prepare analytical reports for QA and process development.
• Maintain safe lab practices for acids, powders, gases and waste; train teammates.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data interpretation

SOP compliance

Team communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

ICP-OES

ICP-MS

SEM-EDX

XRD

Particle size analysis

IGF/LECO O/N/H systems

Job description

Making the metals powering the world

Solcoa is building the next generation of American metalmaking, starting with rare earths - the metals of power and motion. We've developed a new chemistry that converts rare earth oxides into high-purity metals - the materials inside every EV, fighter jet, wind turbine, and data center - cleaner, cheaper, and faster than any conventional process. Now we're scaling it to thousands of tonnes of annual production.

The role

We're hiring an Analytical Chemist to operate our analytical instruments and characterize rare earth materials. You'll prepare and analyze oxide feedstocks, process intermediates, metals, alloys and powders, and report results to our research and production teams. This is a hands‑on laboratory role focused on sample preparation, instrument operation, routine maintenance and accurate, repeatable measurements.

Our analytical tools include ICP-OES, ICP-MS, SEM-EDX, particle size analysis, XRD and inert gas fusion (IGF). This is a full-time, on-site position in Alameda, California.

What you'll do

• Operate ICP-OES and ICP-MS to measure rare earth content, metallic impurities and product purity using established methods; help improve methods as needed.
• Prepare samples and standards, including representative sampling, digestion and dilution. Control contamination and oxidation when handling reactive metals and powders.
• Use SEM-EDX to investigate morphology and elemental distribution, XRD to identify crystalline phases, and particle size analysis to characterize powder distributions.
• Measure oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen using inert gas fusion, with sample preparation and calibration appropriate to the material and instrument.
• Run quality controls using blanks, reference materials, calibration checks, spikes and duplicates. Review results against method acceptance criteria and investigate matrix effects, interferences and unexpected readings.
• Maintain and troubleshoot instruments, track performance, and coordinate service and consumables to keep the lab running reliably.
• Work with research and production teams to investigate unexpected results, identify contamination sources, close elemental balances and improve product consistency.
• Write SOPs, maintain traceable sample and data records, and prepare clear analytical reports for process development, product qualification and quality control.
• Maintain safe practices for acids, reactive powders, compressed gases and laboratory waste, and train teammates on established methods.

What you bring

Required

• BS or higher in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 3+ years of relevant analytical laboratory experience. Substantial hands‑on graduate research counts.
• Strong hands‑on experience operating ICP-OES or ICP-MS, including sample preparation, calibration, routine maintenance and troubleshooting.
• A rigorous approach to analytical quality: you can distinguish a material problem from a sampling, preparation or measurement problem.
• Ability to interpret data, document methods and explain results clearly to engineers and production teams.
• Ability to follow SOPs, manage a daily sample queue and adapt to changing research and production priorities.

Preferred

• Experience with rare earths, high‑purity metals, inorganic materials, mining, metallurgy or advanced materials manufacturing.
• Hands‑on experience with SEM-EDX/EDS, XRD, particle size analysis or IGF/LECO O/N/H systems.
• Experience with difficult inorganic digestions, trace impurity analysis, air-sensitive materials or glovebox handling.
• Familiarity with laboratory quality systems, customer qualification testing, or data analysis using Python, spreadsheets or LIMS.

Compensation & benefits

• Base salary within the posted range, based on relevant experience, analytical expertise and scope of responsibility.
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Company-provided lunch daily.
• Visa sponsorship available if needed.