Senior Metallurgist (Process Improvement & Analytics)

Hudbay Minerals U.S. Business Unit; Sahuarita (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonuses

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Company paid life insurance

Job summary

Hudbay Minerals U.S. Business Unit is seeking a Senior Metallurgist – Process Improvement & Analytics to drive operational excellence, metallurgical performance, and value creation across Copper World Project and Operations.

The role coordinates metallurgical accounting, mine-to-mill optimization, and data analytics initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve throughput, recovery, and costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical, chemical, mining engineering, mineral processing, or related field.
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience in mineral processing, metallurgy, technical services, process improvement, or business improvement functions.
• Experience in large-scale copper, molybdenum, gold, or polymetallic operations.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence and metallurgical performance across the Copper World Project and Operations.
• Own metallurgical accounting and mine-to-mill optimization initiatives.
• Develop dashboards, KPIs, and analytics to monitor performance and value creation.
• Lead economic evaluations including NPV, IRR, payback, and sensitivity analyses.
• Support project development, feasibility studies, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness.

Skills

Process optimization

Data analytics

Metallurgical accounting

Economic evaluation

Project collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical/chemical/mining engineering or related

Master's degree in Metallurgy/Mining/Analytics

Tools

Metallurgical Accounting System

Data analytics platforms

Job description

Role Title

Senior Metallurgist – Process Improvement & Analytics

Reports To

Metallurgist Manager

Job Type

Full-time Regular

Location

Helvetia, AZ

About Hudbay

Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru, and the United States.

Hudbay's operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the Company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production and by-product zinc, silver and molybdenum. Hudbay's growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Cactus project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.

The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people, our communities, and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives, and create better futures for communities.” Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

Mission

To create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging our core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

Purpose Of Role

The Senior Metallurgist – Process Improvement & Analytics is responsible for driving operational excellence, metallurgical performance, business improvement, and value creation across the Copper World Project and Operations.

The position serves as the focal point for metallurgical accounting, mine-to-mill optimization, process improvement initiatives, operational analytics, OPEX model management, CAPEX project evaluation, and economic assessments. The role works collaboratively across Mining, Geology, Mine Planning, Processing, Reliability, Maintenance, Process Control, Operational Readiness, and Project Engineering functions to improve throughput, recovery, reliability, operating costs, and overall project value.

The position supports Detailed Engineering, Operational Readiness, Commissioning, Startup, and future Operations through the development of data-driven solutions, business improvement initiatives, and continuous improvement programs.

Role Accountabilities

• Financial Management & Economic Evaluation
  • Own and maintain the Processing OPEX Model including operating cost assumptions, benchmarking, forecasting, scenario analysis, and continuous updates through project development and future operations.
  • Support development and management of processing-related CAPEX initiatives including scope development, business cases, economic justification, implementation planning, and post-audit evaluations.
  • Conduct economic evaluations including NPV, IRR, payback analysis, sensitivity analysis, trade-off studies, and value improvement assessments.
• Process Optimization & Geometallurgy
  • Lead process improvement initiatives focused on throughput, recovery, operating costs, energy efficiency, reagent consumption, and water utilization.
  • Support mine-to-mill optimization programs through integration of geology, ore control, mine planning, blasting, crushing, grinding, and flotation performance.
  • Conduct geometallurgical evaluations, ore variability assessments, and recovery forecasting studies.
  • Participate in metallurgical testwork programs, engineering reviews, technical due diligence, and process design evaluations.
• Data Analytics, Systems & Digital Transformation
  • Lead development, implementation, and governance of the Copper World Metallurgical Accounting System.
  • Develop operational dashboards, KPIs, and performance monitoring systems using modern analytics platforms.
  • Analyze metallurgical, operational, maintenance, and business performance data to identify opportunities for value creation.
  • Support business improvement initiatives through application of statistical analysis, data science, predictive analytics, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Collaborate with Process Control personnel on advanced process control, digital transformation, and optimization initiatives.
  • Support implementation of digital transformation and innovation initiatives.
• Business Improvement & Operational Readiness
  • Lead benchmarking activities against peer copper operations.
  • Support development of business improvement frameworks and value-tracking systems.
  • Participate in operational readiness workshops and project reviews.
  • Support operational readiness planning, commissioning preparation, startup readiness, and ramp-up activities.
  • Support Reliability Engineering initiatives through asset performance analysis and operational improvement opportunities.
• Leadership, Strategy & General Duties
  • Mentor engineers, metallurgists, and technical personnel in process improvement methodologies.
  • Support corporate technical services initiatives as required.
  • Prepare technical reports, management presentations, business cases, and executive recommendations.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications And Education

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing, or related discipline.
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience in mineral processing, metallurgy, technical services, process improvement, operational excellence, or business improvement functions.
• Experience in large-scale copper, molybdenum, gold, or polymetallic operations.

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Metallurgy, Mining Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, MBA, or related discipline.
• Experience managing metallurgical accounting systems.
• Experience developing OPEX and CAPEX business cases.
• Experience supporting project development, feasibility studies, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness programs.
• Experience with geometallurgy, mine-to-mill optimization, and business improvement initiatives.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Other Requirements

Physical Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities may be required for this position.

Work Environment – The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment will necessitate work near moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions such as hot and/or dry conditions. Work will be conducted in locations where noise, fumes, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration may exist.

Employee must be able to prove that he/she has a current and valid driver’s license.

Why Hudbay?

• At Hudbay, our values of Dignity & Respect, Caring, Openness, and Trustworthiness are embedded into our culture by the way we work and how we interact with one another.
• We pride ourselves in providing our employees with competitive total rewards that include:
  • Annual performance bonuses
  • Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
  • Company paid Life insurance, AD&D, Short- & Long-term Disability
  • 401(k) plan with employer contribution
  • An Employee Share Purchase Plan with contribution matching
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Paid time off, paid sick time and holiday pay
• Regular performance appraisals to acknowledge our employees for their contributions, strengths and work well done.

Hudbay is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Following a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check. Depending on the specific requirements of the role, candidates may also need to undergo a physical examination, drug screening, and educational verification.