Plant & Engineering Manager

About Geomega Resources Inc.

Geomega Resources Inc. is a pioneering Canadian clean technology company at the forefront of developing innovative processing technologies for the extraction, refining, and recycling of rare earth elements and other critical minerals. Based in the Greater Montreal area with facilities in Boucherville and Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Geomega is building sustainable solutions for the critical minerals industry that are essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Our company specializes in rare earth magnet recycling and has developed proprietary hydrometallurgical technologies that achieve over 95% reagent recovery, produce minimal waste, and deliver critical mineral concentrate. We are currently advancing our rare earth recycling demonstration plant and have recently signed a landmark Joint Development Agreement with Rio Tinto for bauxite residue valorization technology.

Within the last decade, Geomega has established a robust intellectual property portfolio with multiple patents in hydrometallurgical extraction processes. Our team of approximately 20 employees includes researchers, engineers, and technical specialists dedicated to transforming industrial waste and other secondary resources into valuable critical metal products.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Plant & Engineering Manager to lead our chemical engineering team and oversee the commissioning, startup, and operations of our rare earth recycling demonstration plant. This is a critical middle management position that bridges technical leadership with hands-on operational excellence during a pivotal phase of our company's growth.

The successful candidate will provide strong engineering leadership to our team of chemical engineers while taking direct responsibility for the demonstration plant as it transitions from construction to commissioning, startup, and steady-state operations. This role requires a seasoned professional who can provide authority, mentorship, and operational discipline to a talented but relatively young engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Team Leadership

- Provide direct management and mentorship to a team of 3-5 chemical engineers working on process development, scale-up, and plant design

- Establish engineering standards, procedures, and best practices for the team

- Review and approve technical work including process calculations, equipment specifications, P&IDs, PFDs, and technical reports

- Conduct performance evaluations, professional development planning, and career coaching for engineering team members

- Foster a culture of technical excellence, safety, and continuous improvement

- Serve as the technical authority for complex process engineering challenges

- Coordinate engineering activities with R&D, laboratory, and project management teams

Demonstration Plant Commissioning & Startup

- Lead the commissioning plan development and execution for the rare earth recycling demonstration plant

- Oversee the transition from construction completion to mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, and commissioning phases

- Develop and implement startup procedures, operating manuals, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)

- Coordinate with equipment vendors, contractors, and construction companies during commissioning activities

- Conduct equipment functionality testing, loop checks, and integrated system testing

- Troubleshoot commissioning issues and implement corrective actions

- Ensure all safety systems, interlocks, and emergency procedures are properly tested and operational

- Lead the transition from commissioning to initial production and performance testing

Plant Operations Management

- Assume operational responsibility for the demonstration plant once commissioned

- Develop production schedules, operational targets, and key performance indicators (KPIs)

- Oversee day-to-day plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance

- Manage process optimization activities to achieve target yields, recoveries, and product quality

- Implement and maintain operational procedures, work permits, and safety protocols

- Coordinate maintenance activities, spare parts management, and equipment reliability programs

- Prepare operational reports, performance analyses, and improvement recommendations

- Interface with regulatory agencies regarding environmental compliance, permits, and reporting requirements

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Work closely with the CTO on strategic technical direction and technology development priorities

- Collaborate with project managers on capital projects, equipment procurement, and facility expansions

- Support the R&D team by translating laboratory findings into pilot-scale and demonstration-scale operations

- Coordinate with quality control and quality assurance teams to ensure product specifications are met

- Communicate effectively with senior management regarding operational performance, challenges, and opportunities

Safety & Compliance

- Champion safety culture and ensure all operations comply with occupational health and safety regulations

- Conduct hazard assessments, develop safe work procedures, and lead safety training initiatives

- Ensure environmental compliance with all applicable regulations and permit conditions

- Manage incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation

- Maintain compliance with industry standards and best practices for chemical processing operations

Required Qualifications

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (required)

- Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related discipline (strongly preferred)

- Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation with OIQ (required or must be eligible and willing to obtain)

- MBA or business management credentials (asset)

Experience

- Minimum 10-15 years of progressive experience in chemical process industries, hydrometallurgy, mining, metals processing, or related heavy industries

- Demonstrated plant commissioning and startup experience including leading or significantly participating in at least 2-3 commissioning projects from construction through to stable operations

- Minimum 5-7 years in supervisory or management roles with direct responsibility for leading engineering teams or operations teams

- Hands-on operational experience in chemical plants, pilot plants, or demonstration facilities with process equipment including pumps, filters, reactors, separation units, and material handling systems

- Experience with hydrometallurgical processes such as leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation, filtration, or solid-liquid separation (highly preferred)

- Track record of successfully managing teams through challenging technical and operational situations

- Experience in heavy industrial environments with understanding of equipment such as filter presses, ball mills, rotary kilns, flotation cells, or similar process equipment (asset)

Technical Competencies

- Strong process engineering fundamentals including mass and energy balances, unit operations, reaction kinetics, and separation processes

- Deep understanding of plant commissioning methodologies including mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and startup phases

- Proficiency with process control systems, instrumentation, and automation including understanding of DCS, PLC, and SCADA systems

- Solid grasp of P&IDs, PFDs, equipment specifications, and engineering documentation

- Knowledge of equipment troubleshooting and root cause analysis methodologies

- Familiarity with project management principles and ability to manage budgets, schedules, and resources

- Understanding of maintenance planning, reliability engineering, and asset management practices

- Knowledge of environmental regulations, safety standards, and permit requirements for chemical processing facilities

Professional & Leadership Skills

- Strong leadership presence and authority with ability to command respect from technical teams and provide clear direction

- Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities particularly under pressure or in ambiguous situations

- Excellent communication skills in both English and French (written and verbal) - bilingualism essential

- Mentoring and coaching capabilities to develop junior engineers and build team capabilities

- Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude willing to get involved in operational details when necessary

- Strategic thinking balanced with tactical execution and attention to detail

- Change management skills to lead teams through transitions from construction to operations

- Stakeholder management abilities to interface effectively with senior management, regulatory agencies, contractors, and vendors

- Resilience and adaptability to manage competing priorities, tight deadlines, and evolving requirements

Preferred Qualifications

- Familiarity with sustainable processing technologies and circular economy applications

- Previous work in demonstration plants or technology scale-up initiatives transitioning from pilot to commercial scale

- Experience with reagent recovery systems and closed-loop chemical processes

- Knowledge of quality management systems (ISO 9001) and environmental management systems (ISO 14001)

- Experience working with government-funded projects and compliance with reporting requirements

- Understanding of intellectual property development and technology commercialization processes

- Experience in Quebec and Canadian mining/metals industry with knowledge of local regulations and permitting

- Commissioning experience in greenfield facilities or first-of-a-kind technology implementations

- Background in process optimization, debottlenecking, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)

What We Offer

- Competitive salary range of CA$110,000 - CA$145,000 based on experience and qualifications

- Stock options providing equity participation in company growth

- Comprehensive benefits package including:

- Extended health care and dental care

- Vision care

- Life insurance and disability coverage

- Professional development opportunities in cutting-edge clean technology and critical metals processing

- Leadership role with significant operational autonomy and decision-making authority

- Opportunity to build and lead operations for North America's first sustainable rare earth recycling facility

- Work with world-class industry partners including Rio Tinto and government research institutions

- Direct impact on the energy transition supporting electric vehicles and renewable energy industries

- Collaborative work environment with highly skilled researchers, engineers, and industry experts

- On-site parking at both Boucherville and Saint-Hubert locations

- Strategic location in Greater Montreal area with excellent transportation access

Work Location

Boucherville and Saint-Hubert, Quebec (Greater Montreal Area)

Saint-Hubert and Boucherville, Quebec (Greater Montreal Area)

Geomega is centralizing its operations including R&D laboratories, pilot facilities, and demonstration plant in Saint-Hubert, providing a collaborative environment where all technical activities are co-located. During the transition period, activities take place at both Boucherville and Saint-Hubert locations.

This position will primarily be based at the Saint-Hubert demonstration plant facility once commissioning activities begin.

Work Location

This position is critical to Geomega's success in bringing innovative rare earth recycling technology from demonstration to commercial reality. You will have the opportunity to:

- Lead the commissioning of a first-of-its-kind sustainable critical metals facility

- Shape the operational culture and engineering standards for a growing clean technology company

- Mentor and develop the next generation of process engineers in sustainable metals processing

- Make a tangible contribution to North America's critical minerals supply chain security

- Work at the intersection of environmental sustainability and advanced materials technology

If you are a seasoned process engineering professional with strong leadership capabilities and a passion for bringing new technologies to life, we want to hear from you.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $110,000.00-$145,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Dental care

- Extended health care

- Life insurance

- On-site parking

- Stock options

- Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Longueuil, QC J3Y 8Y6: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

- Do you have a Chemical Engineering degree?

Education:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

- Project management: 3 years (required)

- plant commissioning and startup: 1 year (required)

Language:

- French (required)

- English (required)

Licence/Certification:

- OIQ (preferred)

Work Location: In person