Hydrometallurgy Engineer – Metal Extraction & Process Optimization

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Engineer with strong hydrometallurgy expertise to lead the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of metal extraction and purification processes near Welkom, Free State. You will work across lab, pilot, and plant scales to implement efficient, cost-effective solutions.

The role requires 5+ years in hydrometallurgy or extractive metallurgy, with hands-on experience in leaching, precipitation, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in chemical engineering with focus on hydrometallurgy or related extractive metallurgy processes.
• Experience with leaching, precipitation, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize hydrometallurgical processes for metal extraction and purification.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot-scale studies to evaluate new process technologies and operating parameters.
• Develop and refine PFDs and P&IDs for hydrometallurgical plants.
• Troubleshoot operational issues in leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning, and precipitation circuits.
• Perform mass and energy balance calculations for process design and optimization.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental standards.
• Collaborate with metallurgists, geologists, and operations personnel to meet production targets.
• Evaluate process equipment and materials of construction.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Solvent extraction

Ion exchange

Electrowinning

Process simulation

Safety & risk management

Analytical problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Engineer with strong hydrometallurgy expertise to lead the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of metal extraction and purification processes near Welkom, Free State. You will work across lab, pilot, and plant scales to implement efficient, cost-effective solutions.

The role requires 5+ years in hydrometallurgy or extractive metallurgy, with hands-on experience in leaching, precipitation, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning.