Process Engineer - Hydrometallurgy

Ascend Elements • Westborough, MA

68d • $90,000 - $115,000

About The Position

Ascend Elements is revolutionizing the production of lithium ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro to Cathode technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements is taking the lithium ion battery industry to a higher level. We are seeking a highly skilled Process Engineer Hydrometallurgy to support process development, optimization, and scale up of advanced metallurgical operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting laboratory and pilot scale hydrometallurgical test work and performing process analysis for nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and lithium (Li) extraction and refining.

Requirements

• Bachelors in Hydrometallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
• Minimum 3 years of industrial or applied R&D experience in hydrometallurgical process development or metal recovery operations involving Ni, Co, and/or Li
• Strong understanding of solution chemistry, redox behavior, and metal speciation
• Proven hands-on experience in laboratory-scale leaching, precipitation, SX/IX, crystallization, and solid-liquid separation
• Knowledge of process equipment sizing, CAPEX/OPEX estimation, and process cost evaluation is an asset
• Experience using mass balance or process simulation tools (e.g., METSIM, HSC Chemistry, or similar)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Detail oriented with excellent data organization and reporting skills
• Effective communication and teamwork across multidisciplinary environments
• Self-driven, proactive, and capable of managing multiple tasks under tight timelines

Nice To Haves

• Masters or PhD is a plus
• Experience in pilot plant operation or process scale-up
• Understanding of sustainability and environmental considerations in hydrometallurgical processing
• Background in flowsheet development and techno-economic evaluation of Ni, Co, and Li recovery processes
• Familiarity with battery materials and critical metals recovery is an advantage

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive hydrometallurgical test work including leaching (acidic, alkaline, and selective), impurity removal and precipitation
• Solvent extraction and ion exchange
• Crystallization and solid-liquid separation
• Recovery and purification of Ni, Co, and Li compounds
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to evaluate new processes, optimize parameters, and assess kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer behavior
• Perform detailed mass balance calculations and data interpretation to support process modeling and scale up
• Analyze solution chemistry and phase equilibria to predict metal speciation, selectivity, and recovery efficiency
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports summarizing test work results, process development findings, and recommendations
• Collaborate cross-functionally with process engineers, chemists, and project managers to integrate hydrometallurgical findings into overall flowsheet development

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401k
• Paid time off
• Other employee programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees