Process Engineer

ArcTern Ventures; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Dental coverage

401K contributions

Generous paid time off program

Job summary

Cyclic Materials, located in Mesa, Arizona, is seeking a Process Engineer to enhance our Arizona Spoke Plant operations. This pivotal role involves optimizing our rare earth recycling processes, supporting plant performance, and driving continuous improvements.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in chemical or related engineering, coupled with 3-7 years of relevant experience. We offer a dynamic work environment, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits to support your career journey.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of process engineering experience in mineral processing or hydrometallurgical projects.
• Experience supporting metallurgical test work programs.
• Experience in ore comminution, physical separation, recycling, or scrap processing.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed process engineering activities at the Arizona facility.
• Develop operating philosophies and control strategies.
• Collaborate with teams to maximize metal recovery and minimize impurities.

Skills

Process engineering

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related discipline

Tools

SysCAD

METSIM

IDEAS

Job description

Cyclic Materials is building a resilient circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical materials. Through our proprietary MagCycle and REEPure processes, we recover rare earths from end-of-life products and transform them into high purity materials used in the production of permanent magnets. These materials are critical to the modern economy, including the production of electric vehicles, electronics, AI infrastructure, wind turbines, defense, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Founded in 2021, Cyclic Materials has rapidly progressed from technology development to commercialization. We currently operate facilities in Ontario and Arizona, with a new expansion underway in South Carolina. Backed by US$75 million in Series C financing led by T. Rowe Price, alongside strategic investors including Microsoft, Amazon, Hitachi Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion fund, Energy Impact Partners, ArcTern Ventures, and Fifth Wall, we are scaling to meet growing global demand for a secure and sustainable rare earth supply.

We have established commercial partnerships with global industry leaders such as Solvay, Vattenfall, Lime, and VACUUMSCHMELZE, enabling the deployment of recycled rare earth materials into real world supply chains. In 2025, Cyclic Materials was named one of the Top 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch by MIT Technology Review.

We are growing quickly and building the industrial backbone required for a circular rare earth economy. Joining Cyclic Materials means working on complex and exciting challenges at scale, alongside a team committed to executing and delivering measurable impact. If you are motivated by building critical infrastructure and advancing the circular economy, join us and help accelerate the growth of rare earth recycling.

Position Overview

Cyclic Materials is seeking a Process Engineer to support the development, commissioning, and optimization of our Arizona Spoke Plant. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a strategic growth initiative, helping scale innovative rare earth recycling technology while contributing to plant performance, reliability, and continuous improvement.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead detailed process engineering activities supporting the Arizona facility with the goal of optimizing metal recoveries, minimizing impurities, and maximizing profitability.
• Develop operating philosophies and control strategies for a variety of feedstocks.
• Develop feedstock recipes to maximize recovered metal performance.
• Work with off takers, including Hub facilities, on relevant Spoke product issues.
• Collaborate with the Process Technology team to understand MagCycle performance across various feedstocks and participate in initiatives to maximize steel and magnet separation.
• Develop and maintain mass and energy balance models using process simulation software such as SysCAD, METSIM, or IDEAS.
• Participate in HAZID, HAZOP, and other process safety reviews.
• Conduct trade-off studies and evaluate process alternatives, including CAPEX and OPEX assessments.
• Prepare operating cost estimates and support economic evaluations.
• Assist with equipment sizing, selection, and specification development.
• Evaluate and recommend materials of construction.
• Interface with equipment suppliers and external engineering partners.
• Analyze operational data to identify opportunities for optimization and continuous improvement.
• Support commissioning, startup, and ramp‑up activities.
• Mentor and support operators as required.
• Identify opportunities for future process development and participate in future Spoke process design reviews.
• Participate in Root Cause Failure Analysis investigations for process and equipment failures, identifying contributing factors and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Support reliability improvement initiatives through failure mode analysis, equipment performance reviews, and continuous improvement projects aimed at maximizing plant uptime and throughput.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Operations, and Process Technology teams to evaluate equipment modifications, operating practices, and feedstock management strategies that enhance reliability and process performance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mineral Processing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or eligible for registration.
• 3-7 years of process engineering experience in mineral processing and/or hydrometallurgical projects.
• Experience supporting metallurgical test work programs.
• Experience working with one or more of the following processes: ore comminution, physical separation, recycling, or scrap metal processing.
• Strong understanding of process design principles and plant operations.
• Previous plant operations experience is considered an asset.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

Additional Requirements

• Eligible to work in the United States or able to obtain the necessary work authorization with company support, where applicable.
• Ability to travel between Canada and the United States as required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and thrive in a startup and commissioning environment.

Why You Will Love Cyclic Materials

• At Cyclic Materials, we’re dedicated to supporting our workforce on their unique career journey.
• We offer a competitive compensation package including Health and Dental coverage, RRSP (Canada)/401K (USA) contributions and a generous paid time off program that lets you recharge.
• We value diversity and are committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone is respected and recognized for their contributions.

The base compensation offered is determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and competencies and considers internal equity.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Cyclic Materials is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an opportunity to succeed. If you require accommodation at any stage of the interview process, please email [e-mail]. Applicants for employment in the Canada and U.S. must have work authorization that does not now or in future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States or Canada and with Cyclic Materials (i.e., H1‑B visa, F‑1 visa (OPT), TN, L1‑A visa or any other non‑immigrant status).