6.2. Principal Process Engineer

Phoenix Tailings seeks a Principal Process Engineer to lead sustainable metal refining processes in Burlington, VT. The role involves optimizing and scaling innovative processes, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with teams to meet operational and sustainability goals. Candidates should have a degree in Chemical or Process Engineering and over 10 years of relevant experience. The position emphasizes leadership, process design, and compliance with regulatory standards.
About Phoenix Tailings

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.

Why Phoenix Tailings

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.

Our Values:

● You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong

● Lead with Compassion

● Be Resourceful

● Listen

● Hustle

Who We Are Looking For:

Phoenix Tailings is seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Process Engineer to lead the development, optimization, and scaling of innovative processes for sustainable metal refining at our Burlington, MA location. This leadership role will drive high-impact projects, set technical direction, and play a critical part in ensuring the scalability and efficiency of Phoenix Tailings’ cutting-edge technologies.

As a Principal Process Engineer, you will take ownership of complex process engineering challenges, mentor a team of engineers, and collaborate cross-functionally to achieve operational and sustainability goals. This role demands expertise in process engineering, process design, and scale-up, as well as a passion for clean technology and innovation.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead the design and development of advanced processes for metal refining, ensuring efficiency, safety, and scalability.
• Identify and implement improvements to existing processes to enhance performance, reduce costs, and align with sustainability goals.
• Champion sustainable process design by minimizing waste, emissions, and resource usage, with a strong focus on recycling and reuse of byproducts.
• Drive the scale-up of processes from laboratory and pilot stages to full-scale production, ensuring technical feasibility and reliability.
• Oversee validation and testing of processes, ensuring they meet operational, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, engineering, and operations teams to integrate new processes into production systems and ensure seamless implementation.
• Partner with senior leadership to align technical objectives with broader company goals and provide insights into project timelines and feasibility.
• Act as a technical leader and subject-matter expert, providing guidance and support for complex engineering challenges.
• Lead high-impact projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, standard operating procedures, and technical reports.
• Ensure all processes comply with regulatory standards and internal safety policies.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field; PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in process engineering, with demonstrated expertise in process design, scale-up, and optimization.
• Extensive experience with scaling processes from R&D to full-scale production in industrial settings.
• Proficiency in process modeling and simulation tools (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS).
• Strong understanding of process safety, quality control, and operational best practices.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Experience with metal refining processes (e.g., aluminum, magnesium) strongly preferred
• Exceptional project management skills, with experience managing complex, multidisciplinary initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Exceptional project management skills, with experience managing complex, multidisciplinary initiatives. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• 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.

At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.

Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).