Chemical Development Engineer I

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. We are seeking a Junior Chemical Engineer to join our dynamic team and contribute to the design, development, and optimization of innovative critical metals production systems.

Why Phoenix Tailings

At Phoenix, 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 looking for a Development Engineer I with a strong technical foundation and a desire to apply their knowledge to solving real-world process challenges in critical metals recovery. In this role, you’ll support the design, execution, and analysis of rare earth element processing technologies and contribute to building out the technical infrastructure that enables the future of clean manufacturing. This position is ideal for someone with early-career experience or a strong academic background in chemical process engineering, including working with mass and energy balances, PFDs, and P&IDs.

Key Responsibilities

- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field

- 1–3 years of experience in chemical or metallurgical process development (internships and co-op experience welcome)

- Familiarity with mass and energy balances, process modeling, and basic process calculations

- Experience interpreting or developing PFDs and P&IDs

- Hands-on experience with laboratory or pilot-scale chemical equipment

- Comfortable using tools for data analysis and reporting (Excel, Python, or similar)

- Solid communication skills and ability to clearly document technical work

- Familiarity with rare earth chemistry or hydrometallurgy is a plus

- Driven by curiosity, mission, and a desire to help solve one of the most important resource challenges of our time

Qualifications

- B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline

- 3–6 years of hands-on experience in process development, hydrometallurgy, or chemical processing

- Proficiency in designing experiments and interpreting data to solve complex technical challenges

- Demonstrated expertise in solid-liquid separation, precipitation, and chemical extraction techniques

- Strong foundation in process engineering including mass and energy balance modeling

- Experience with laboratory instrumentation and analytical tools (e.g., ICP-OES, XRD, SEM)

- Clear, structured technical writing skills for documentation and reporting

- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative R&D environment

- Familiarity with rare earth chemistry and metallurgical challenges preferred

- Experience with process simulation tools (e.g., HSC Chemistry, Aspen Plus) is a plus

We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following 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.

We offer a competitive compensation package based on expertise, including healthcare coverage (100% medical, dental, and vision), stock ownership, parental leave, flexible vacation policy, learning and development opportunities, and a great team culture that values making a difference and encourages results-focused work. At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning and growth, and we are looking for 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, genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics. These characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions, including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline.