Metallurgical Process Technician

Critical Elements HR; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Critical Elements HR is seeking a hands-on Process Lab Technician to manage day-to-day operations of lab-scale equipment, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency. You will document SOPs and collaborate with R&D and engineering teams to test new extraction and material processing technologies.

The role requires a degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, or related fields, plus experience in process labs or pilot plants, and the ability to handle mineral processing equipment and deliver

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in a process laboratory, pilot plant, or industrial production setting is desired.
• Background in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, wastewater treatment, or industrial production operations.
• Familiarity with process equipment including leaching systems, filtration equipment, furnaces, and material preparation equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of lab-scale process equipment, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Achieve safe and proper operation of small-scale equipment under set parameters to produce samples for analytical evaluation and process design.
• Establish, document, and maintain laboratory protocols and SOPs for all process operations.
• Conduct mineral beneficiation and material handling operations.
• Execute wet lab mineral extraction and processing operations.
• Collaborate with engineering, R&D, and Analytical Lab Technicians to support testing of new extraction and processing technologies.
• Maintain accurate recording of process parameters, operational data, and sample tracking.

Skills

Hands-on

Safety-conscious

Collaborative

Results-driven

Education

Chemical Eng / Metallurgy / Materials Science degree

Tools

Leaching systems

Filtration equipment

Furnaces

Crushing/Grinding equipment

Sample prep equipment

Job description

What You’ll Do:

Operating:

• Manage day-to-day operations of lab-scale process equipment, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Achieve safe and proper operation of small-scale equipment under set parameters to produce samples for analytical evaluation and process design.
• Establish, document, and maintain laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all process operations.
• Conduct mineral beneficiation and material handling operations.
• Execute wet lab mineral extraction and processing operations.

Technical Expertise:

• Operate a full suite of process laboratory equipment and perform tests, including:
• Hydrometallurgical leaching processes
• Solid/liquid filtration systems
• Vacuum filtration
• Thermal furnace treatment and crucible handling
• Material crushing and grinding equipment
• Stirred beaker reactions
• Hot plate chemistry testing (acid and base chemicals)
• Sample preparation and handling for delivery to Analytical Lab
• Ensure that all process operations produce materials suitable for analytical testing and are documented in compliance with laboratory best practices.
• Conduct maintenance and troubleshooting of process equipment to uphold operational reliability and safety.

Collaboration and Innovation:

• Collaborate closely with engineering and senior staff, the R&D team, and Analytical Lab Technicians to support the testing of new extraction, separation, and material processing technologies.
• Stay informed about advancements in process equipment and methods to continually improve capabilities and methodologies.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Ensure accurate, timely, and secure recording of process parameters, operational data, and sample tracking in alignment with company standards.
• Provide operational reports and process observations to support decision-making in R&D projects and process optimization initiatives.
• Present process results and insights to engineering teams, partners, and stakeholders as needed.

Quality and Safety Compliance:

• Maintain rigorous adherence to laboratory safety protocols and compliance with regulatory standards in a physically demanding environment.
• Implement quality control measures to achieve consistent process operations and sample quality.
• Follow internal quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs for process operations.

What You Bring:

• Degree or diploma in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in a process laboratory, pilot plant, or industrial production setting is desired.
• Background in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, wastewater treatment, or industrial production operations.
• Familiarity with process equipment including leaching systems, filtration equipment, furnaces, and material preparation equipment.
• Strong understanding of process operations, safety protocols, and equipment operation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate with engineering staff and interdisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and innovative working environment.
• Physical ability to perform extended standing, lifting, and material handling tasks.

Who You Are:

• Hands-on and self-sufficient: you excel at operating equipment and troubleshooting process challenges in real-time.
• Safety-conscious and detail-oriented: you understand that proper equipment operation is critical to producing quality samples and maintaining a safe work environment.
• Collaborative: you thrive working closely with engineering and senior staff in a dynamic R&D environment and value open communication.
• Results-driven: you take pride in operating equipment that produces materials enabling measurable process improvements.
• Physically capable: you're comfortable with the physical demands of process work, including extended standing and material handling.