3.4. Chemical Process Engineer II -Separation

Phoenix Tailings•Burlington, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Phoenix Tailings is seeking a Chemical Process Engineer II to support the development, optimization, and scale-up of solvent extraction processes for rare earth separation. This role involves hands-on work in labs and pilot facilities to advance sustainable materials technology. The ideal candidate thrives on translating experiments into real-world solutions and desires to grow with a mission-driven team.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related field
2–5 years of relevant industry experience
Hands-on experience with wet chemistry, ideally including solvent extraction or hydrometallurgical systems
Strong data analysis skills and ability to interpret experimental results to drive process improvement
Familiarity with chemical process equipment and lab best practices
Experience preparing PFDs, maintaining lab notebooks, and writing technical documentation
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment with a focus on experimentation and learning
Strong communication skills and the ability to work well in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team

Responsibilities

Set up and operate lab- and pilot-scale solvent extraction systems to test rare earth separation processes
Run experiments, collect data, and analyze results to evaluate reagent performance and separation efficiency
Contribute to process development through iterative testing, troubleshooting, and optimization
Support development of mass balances, PFDs, and other process documentation
Assist in scaling up bench-scale results to pilot-scale systems and support commissioning activities
Maintain chemical inventory, ensure safe lab practices, and adhere to all safety protocols
Document experimental results clearly and contribute to technical reports and presentations
Work cross-functionally with engineering and operations teams to ensure experimental designs align with scale-up needs