7.6. Controls Engineer I

Phoenix Tailings • Exeter, NH

13d • Onsite

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. At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you. Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Controls Engineer I who’s excited to work hands-on with real hardware and software to help automate the next generation of rare earth and critical metals processing. This role is perfect for a recent graduate or early-career engineer looking to grow in industrial automation, PLC/HMI programming, and electrical integration. You'll work across our Exeter, NH and Burlington, MA facilities, contributing to the development and deployment of automated systems that are central to our mission of building a sustainable critical metals supply chain.

Requirements

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
• 0–3 years of experience in automation, controls, or industrial systems (internship/co-op experience welcome)
• Familiarity with PLCs (especially Allen-Bradley platforms) and ladder logic or structured text programming
• Exposure to HMI or SCADA systems (Ignition experience is a strong plus)
• Basic understanding of sensors, actuators, and control panel components
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and electrical schematics
• Hands-on aptitude and eagerness to learn in a fast-paced, R&D-driven environment
• Willingness to work across both Burlington and Exeter sites as needed
• Strong curiosity, problem-solving mindset, and motivation to build real-world systems that make a difference

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and testing of PLC-based automation systems (primarily Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix)
• Support HMI design and implementation using Ignition for monitoring and control of pilot-scale processing systems
• Help configure and wire control panels, I/O systems, and instrumentation with guidance from senior engineers
• Work with process engineers to understand system needs and translate them into control logic and interface features
• Participate in troubleshooting control issues on lab and pilot systems across both sites
• Develop and maintain documentation such as I/O lists, wiring diagrams, and control narratives
• Learn and apply industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, OPC-UA)
• Help test and validate control systems through simulations and on-site commissioning
• Ensure work complies with internal safety protocols and applicable electrical/control standards

Benefits

• Healthcare, we care about you and your family: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
• Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families.
• Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.
• Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations.
• Learning: Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career.
• Great team: Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference!
• Flexible culture: We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees