Process Engineer

REEcycle, Inc.; Duncan (OK); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

REEcycle, Inc. seeks an experienced process engineer to lead development of a rare earth recycling facility in Duncan, Oklahoma. You will drive optimization, establish procedures, and guide the plant’s safe, efficient operation on-site.

The role requires a safety-first mindset, collaboration with maintenance and operators, and hands-on work from lab to floor as the plant scales up.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 3+ years of process engineering in hydrometallurgy, chemical processing, mineral processing or metals recycling.
• Experience with hydromet unit operations and process safety reviews (HAZOP).
• Strong knowledge of mass/energy balances and separation fundamentals.
• Experience in plant environment with troubleshooting alongside operators/maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Monitor plant performance: recovery, impurities, reagents and throughput.
• Run process optimization studies to improve efficiency.
• Develop operating procedures, setpoints and control strategies.
• Support commissioning, startup and ramp-up of new equipment and circuits.
• Lead or join root cause analyses and ensure corrective actions.
• Evaluate equipment performance and materials compatibility.
• Coach operators on process fundamentals and setpoints.
• Participate in HAZOP/HAZID and change management reviews.
• Maintain process models and report targets using plant data.
• Prepare CAPEX and OPEX budgets.

Skills

Process engineering

Hydrometallurgy

Troubleshooting

HSE & safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering

Tools

METSIM

SysCAD

HSC Chemistry/Simulation

Job description

About REEcycle

REEcycle is an American rare earth elements (REE) recycling company focused on recovering rare earths from end-of-life NdFeB magnets to bolster U.S. supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals. Backed by U.S. Department of War funding, we are establishing production at our facility in Duncan, Oklahoma.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced process engineer to lead the development of our rare earth recycling facility. You will be involved in development and optimization of the facility, building a first-of-its kind plant from the ground up.

The successful candidate will consistently demonstrate a “safety-first” mindset and lead by example on the floor. You will balance daily delivery with establishing the future of REEcycle’s commercial operations.

This is a full-time, on-site (not remote) position in Duncan, OK.

Key Responsibilities

Monitor plant performance, tack rare earth recovery, impurity carryover, reagent consumption and throughput.

Run process optimization studies.

Develop operating procedures, setpoints and control strategies, and update them as feedstock and product requirements change.

Support commissioning, startup and ramp-up of new equipment and circuits.

Lead or join root cause failure analyses for process and equipment problems, and follow through on corrective and preventive actions.

Evaluate equipment performance, materials of construction and compatibility with maintenance and operations.

Coach operators on process fundamentals and the reasons behind setpoints and procedures.

Take part in HAZOP, HAZID and management-of-change reviews. Help keep chemical handling, waste and effluent practices safe and compliant.

Maintain process models (METSIM, SysCAD or HSC), and use plant and lab data to set targets and report results.

Prepare CAPEX and OPEX budgets.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering or a closely related discipline. A Chemistry degree with strong process experience will be considered.

3+ years of process engineering experience in hydrometallurgy, chemical processing, mineral processing or metals recycling.

Working knowledge of hydromet unit operations

Strong grounding in solution chemistry, mass and energy balances, and reaction and separation fundamentals.

Experience working in or alongside an operating plant, including troubleshooting with operators and maintenance.

Safe-handling experience and familiarity with process safety reviews such as HAZOP.

Clear written and verbal communication, and the judgment to work independently in a fast-moving, operation.

Work environment

Location: Duncan, OK. This is an on-site role at the plant, with time in the plant and laboratory wearing PPE around process chemicals.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Pre-employment background check and drug screen.

REEcycle is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

This role is a "Safety Sensitive position" under Oklahoma law due to operating equipment or machinery; maintaining equipment whose malfunction could cause injury or damage; handling hazardous materials. The Company enforces a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol standard for this position. Pre-employment, periodic and incident response screening is required.

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