Senior Process Metallurgist

Lithium Americas•Spanish Springs, NV

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Lithium Americas is a North American resource and materials company focused on developing, building, and operating lithium deposits and chemical processing facilities. The company’s flagship asset, Thacker Pass, is located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada and is the world’s largest known measured lithium source and reserve. We are focused on safely and responsibly developing Thacker Pass to production to help strengthen national security and enable cleaner energy sources. We are committed to minimizing environmental impact, creating family-supporting jobs, and maximizing sustainable value for our stakeholders. We are seeking a Senior Process Metallurgist to join our Engineering Department. In this role, you will be responsible for helping commission the start-up of the Thacker Pass Mine and Lithium Processing Facility and help continually improve the operation of the Lithium Processing facility. This role plays a critical part in transforming ore into high-quality lithium products by integrating metallurgical expertise with plant operations, data analytics, and production planning. The Senior Process Metallurgist will lead metallurgical performance monitoring, test work, aid in forecasting, and reconciliation across the mine and processing facilities, ensuring recovery, throughput, and product quality targets are achieved safely, reliably, and sustainably. Working closely with Operations, Mining, Engineering, Maintenance, and Commissioning teams, this role helps bridge the gap between planning, plant performance, and life-of-mine production objectives. The role is based at our Thacker Pass location and reports to the Site Engineering Manager. Occasional travel to other LAC offices, project sites, vendor, or other locations may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, Mineral Processing Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in mineral and/or chemical processing environments, preferably in mining or industrial processing operations.
Practical, hands-on experience with advanced mineral and chemical processing methods and technologies.
Strong foundation in applied metallurgical engineering principles and mineral/chemical unit operations.
Solid understanding of process engineering, ore control, metallurgical reconciliation, and reserve accounting processes.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritize critical-path activities, and deliver results in fast-paced, schedule-driven environments.
Experience leveraging information and data management systems such as process historians, SQL Server, LIMS, and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Hexagon).
Demonstrated ability to develop accurate production forecasts integrating mining and processing performance data.
Analytical and creative problem solver with the ability to challenge assumptions, think beyond conventional approaches, and implement innovative solutions.
Self-motivated, high-energy professional capable of working independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Project, Teams, etc.).
Personal commitment to Lithium Americas’ Purpose, Vision, and Values.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) and/or MSHA regulations, preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership of and promote Lithium Nevada’s safety-first culture.
Ensure strict compliance with OSHA and MSHA regulations as well as Lithium Nevada’s site-specific safety program.
Perform all engineering activities with a safety-first mindset.
Promote and foster employee “stop work” authority.
Identify, report and mitigate safety hazards and observations as part of daily activities and safety walks.
Champion safety standards and promote communication and accountability within all production areas.
Support pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up activities for the Thacker Pass Mine and Lithium Processing Facility in close coordination with Mining, Commissioning, and Start-Up teams.
Contribute to Life-of-Mine (LOM) production planning by ensuring metallurgical assumptions, forecasts, and constraints align with short- and long-term production goals and strategic objectives.
Develop, evaluate, and optimize metal production forecasts based on mine planning inputs and process plant performance.
Lead metallurgical programs and test work to drive continuous improvement to ensure achievement of production, recovery, product quality targets, waste reduction, and costs.
Develop and maintain reconciliation programs between mining and processing activities.
Utilize information management systems to optimize plant and people performance and streamline production reporting.
Analyze metallurgical and process data, interpret trends, and prepare clear, detailed technical reports and recommendations for operations and leadership.
Assist in developing and maintaining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for By-product/Waste Usage Rate, Production Yield/Recovery Rates, etc.
Provide technical guidance and training to operations personnel to support safe, efficient plant operation and consistent achievement of performance and quality objectives.
Investigate operational and process performance issues using DCS historian data and other process monitoring systems, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
Consider and recommend technologies to be deployed to enhance lateral / vertical development productivity, production, and Life of Mine planning activities.
Builds and maintains trusted relationships across all teams while championing a culture that reflects and supports our Purpose, Vision, and Values
Perform other duties as assigned