Summer Intern - Commercial

Kunin Technologies • Chattanooga, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Kunin Technologies is hiring a summer intern to support its commercial team in evaluating the economics of recovering critical metals from resources that are discarded today, including mine tailings, process liquors, industrial by-product streams, and low-grade ores. The intern will work directly with the CEO and help determine what target resources contain, what recovery would cost, and what the recovered metals may be worth.

The role involves building a pipeline of candidate resources, obtaining samples from mines, refiners, and industrial partners, and using assay data and process assumptions to create cost and value models. Expected summer outcomes include a resource database with samples in hand for priority targets and a process cost model for each target to support partner negotiations.

The position is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the summer of 2027, for approximately 12 weeks, with a flexible start date. Occasional domestic travel for site visits and sample collection is expected, as are extended hours during critical project phases. Strong performers may be considered for a full-time position at Kunin upon graduation.

Requirements

• Be an undergraduate or graduate student in mining engineering, metallurgy, chemical engineering, economics, finance, or a related field, graduating in 2027 or 2028.
• Be skilled in Excel and comfortable with mass balances and unit conversions.
• Be comfortable cold-contacting mine operators, refiners, and industrial partners to secure samples and data.
• Be able to work in a fast-paced and demanding atmosphere.
• Be a self-driven contributor who closes loops without being asked and writes clearly.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, or commodity markets.

Responsibilities

• Identify and screen mines, tailings facilities, refineries, and industrial waste streams that contain target metals, and maintain the resource database.
• Contact resource owners, arrange sample shipments and site visits, and log chain of custody and assay results.
• Build project cash-flow models for candidate resources, including capital cost, operating cost, revenue, and sensitivities.
• Estimate reagent, energy, labor, and equipment costs per metric ton of feed and per kilogram of metal recovered, working with the engineering team on mass balances.
• Prepare one-page project summaries and briefing materials for partner and customer meetings.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed