Hydrometallurgist (Scientist/Engineer II)

REEgen; Town of Ithaca, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

REEgen in Ithaca, NY is seeking a Scientist/Engineer II who thrives between the lab and a pilot-scale reactor. You will assist in developing chemical flowsheets and scale processes turning waste into high-purity resources, with hands-on supervisory responsibilities.

The role requires collaboration with scientists and engineers, experience moving processes from bench to pilot, and strong safety/documentation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Hydrometallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Materials Science) and a proven track record in hydrometallurgy or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in hydrometallurgy or a related field with a bench-to-pilot track record.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience leading projects or personnel in pilot-scale settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop integrated processes and flowsheets (leaching, UF, NF, IX, SX, precipitation, etc.) optimized for low-intensity metals recovery.
• Scale laboratory breakthroughs into robust pilot operations while meeting milestones.
• Supervise lab and pilot-scale projects with a focus on safety, documentation, and clear communication.
• Model chemical processes using tools like MetSim, PHREEQC, and OLI Studio.
• Apply first-principles thinking to reduce energy, water, and reagent intensity.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hydrometallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science

Tools

MetSim

PHREEQC

OLI Studio

Job description

Feb 18, 2026

About Us

At REEgen, our mission is to redefine how the world sources critical minerals to enable a future of widespread energy security. Our first step towards this goal is to pioneer low-intensity extraction methods that unlock Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from complex secondary feedstocks using our proprietary BioREEcover platform. Based in Ithaca, NY, we are building sustainable, bio-based, circular supply chains for the green energy revolution.

The Role

We are seeking a Scientist/Engineer II who thrives in the space between a laboratory beaker and a pilot-scale reactor. You will assist in the development of our chemical flowsheets, responsible for designing, testing, and scaling the processes that turn "waste" into high-purity resources. This is a hands-on supervisory role that requires both deep technical knowledge and the soft-skill set to execute in the field. Experience collaborating with scientists and engineers to think outside the box and designing innovative flowsheets that challenge traditional industrial footprints is a must.

What You’ll Do

• Work collaboratively to develop integrated processes: Work cross-functionally to develop integrated processes and flowsheets (Leaching, UF, NF, IX, SX, Precipitation, etc.) optimized for low-intensity metals recovery from non-traditional feedstocks.
• Bench-to-Pilot Execution: Help scale laboratory breakthroughs into robust pilot operations while tracking and meeting milestone timelines.
• Supervisory Leadership: Supervise projects in lab and industrial pilot settings. We need someone who can maintain a high standard of safety, meticulous documentation, and clear communication within a busy R&D environment.
• Process Modeling: Experience with modeling tools like MetSim and OLI Systems.
• Outside-the-Box Problem Solving: Bring a "first-principles" approach to engineering—finding creative ways to reduce energy, water, and reagent intensity.

Who You Are

Bachelor's degree in Hydrometallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science or related discipline. A Master's or Ph.D. is a plus.

The "Scale-Up" Factor: Must have experience (5+ years preferred, but we value results over titles) in hydrometallurgy or a related field with a proven track record of moving processes from bench to pilot.

Supervisory Aptitude: Experience (3+ years) supervising project and personnel in a pilot scale setting. You know how to keep a team safe, organized, and focused.

Technical Toolkit: Demonstrated experience in chemical process experimentation and modeling (e.g., MetSim, PHREEQC, OLI Studio).

Collaborator & Innovator: You enjoy the "whiteboard phase" of a project as much as the "wrench phase."

Local Presence: This is an in-person role in Ithaca, NY, requiring regular operations in our laboratories and pilot facilities. Some external travel may be required.

Why REEgen?

High-Impact Work: Direct ownership of a technology stack critical to the global energy transition.

Dynamic Culture: A collaborative, startup environment where your voice is heard and your innovations are built.

Growth Potential: We are a growing team; you will have the autonomy to shape the operational culture of our Ithaca facility.

Competitive Salary and Benefits: $90k-$110k annual salary depending on experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.