3.4. Chemical Process Engineer II -Separation

Phoenix Tailings•Burlington, MA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy. Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Chemical Process Engineer II who is excited to solve some of the most critical challenges in clean metals production. In this role, you’ll focus on supporting the development, optimization, and scale-up of solvent extraction processes for rare earth separation. You will work hands-on in our labs and pilot facilities to push forward the next generation of sustainable materials technology. This is a role for someone who thrives on turning experiments into real-world solutions and wants to grow alongside an ambitious and mission-driven team.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related field with 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