Lead Technician: Lab & Pilot Plant Ops

USA Rare Earth, LLC; Wheat Ridge (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth is seeking a Lead Technician to support development, testing, and operation of innovative rare earth recovery and purification technologies. You will assist in lab and pilot plant activities, including equipment setup, sample preparation, testing, data collection, and process troubleshooting.

The ideal candidate has an Associate degree or higher in a technical field and 2–3 years of hands-on experience in lab or industrial process operations, with a strong focus on safety,

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering Technology, or related field.
• 2–3 years hands-on experience in lab, 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.

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.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Pilot plant operations

Analytical testing

Data logging

Safety protocols

Documentation

Team collaboration

Flexible hours

Education

Associate degree or higher

Tools

Pumps

Filters

Tanks

Valves

Job description

USA Rare Earth is seeking a Lead Technician to support development, testing, and operation of innovative rare earth recovery and purification technologies. You will assist in lab and pilot plant activities, including equipment setup, sample preparation, testing, data collection, and process troubleshooting.

The ideal candidate has an Associate degree or higher in a technical field and 2–3 years of hands-on experience in lab or industrial process operations, with a strong focus on safety,