Lead Technician

USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR); Wheat Ridge (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth, Inc. seeks a Lead Technician to support the development, testing, and operation of innovative technologies for rare earth recovery and purification.

You will assist in laboratory and pilot plant activities, including equipment setup, sample preparation, testing, data collection, and process troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will have strong practical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and quality in chemical process operations, with flexibility for

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering Tech or related field.
• 2-3 years in lab, pilot plant, or industrial operations.
• Familiar with chemical processing equipment (pumps, valves, tanks).
• Experience with sampling, analytical testing, and data logging.
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams; flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and maintain lab- and pilot-scale equipment for extraction and purification.
• Collect samples, perform measurements, and record data during runs.
• Prepare feedstocks, reagents, and materials for testing and trials.
• Maintain records in notebooks and databases.
• Monitor process parameters and report deviations to engineers.
• Perform routine maintenance and calibration of equipment.
• Support safe handling, waste management, and housekeeping.
• Collaborate with engineers on troubleshooting and improvements.
• Follow SOPs and help improve them.

Skills

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Associate’s degree or higher in Chemistry/Engineering

Tools

Pumps

Filters

Valves

Tanks

Job description

We are on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies are required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, and our battery grade lithium and tech metals are needed for chipsets, semiconductors, and 5G.

We have a substantial interest in the Round Top, Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals deposit in West Texas. We have also developed the United States' first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility, and we own the only scalable, sintered neo-magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing this fully integrated, US-based 'mine-to-magnet' critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading domestic supplier to these industries.

What you can expect:

At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:

Build Solutions: If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution-oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world-class solutions in sustainable ways.

Deliver Quality: When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top-tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.

Lead responsibly: We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.

Win Together: Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better.

We are seeking a Lead Technician to support the development, testing, and operation of innovative technologies for rare earth recovery and purification. This role will assist in laboratory and pilot plant activities, including equipment setup, sample preparation, testing, data collection, and process troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will have strong practical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and quality in chemical process operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the setup, operation, and maintenance of laboratory- and pilot-scale equipment for extraction and purification processes.
• Conduct sampling, measurements, and data collection during experiments and process runs.
• Prepare feedstocks, reagents, and materials for testing and production trials.
• Maintain accurate experimental and operational records in laboratory notebooks and digital databases.
• Monitor process parameters and report deviations or issues to engineers.
• Perform routine maintenance, cleaning, and calibration of process equipment and instrumentation.
• Support safe chemical handling, waste management, and housekeeping in laboratory and pilot plant areas.
• Collaborate with engineers on troubleshooting process upsets and implementing process improvements.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contribute to their continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering Technology or a related technical field; equivalent experience considered.
• 2-3 years of hands-on experience in laboratory, pilot plant, or industrial process operations.
• Familiarity with pumps, filters, tanks, valves, and other common chemical processing equipment.
• Experience with sampling techniques, analytical testing, and data logging systems.
• Working knowledge of safety protocols, PPE, and hazardous material handling.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional, fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation accuracy.
• Willingness to work flexible hours during pilot trials or commissioning activities.