PHNX Materials · 1 month ago
Hydrometallurgy - Engineer
San Leandro, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expPHNX Materials is a company focused on refining coal ash waste into critical products. They are seeking a Hydrometallurgy engineer to develop and validate lab-scale processes for recovering critical rare earth elements from coal ash, involving leaching experiments and analytical assessments.
Environmental EngineeringManufacturingNatural Resources
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Design, conduct, and optimize hydrometallurgical processes for recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from coal ash
Define path to scale lab-scale process into bench and pilot scale operations
Perform leaching experiments, including selection of leachants, control of parameters, and yield optimization
Develop and implement purification and impurity control strategies to achieve high-purity REE products
Operate and maintain analytical instruments such as ICP-OES/MS, XRD, and SEM to evaluate recovery efficiency, yields, and product quality
Analyze experimental data to identify trends, troubleshoot process issues, and recommend improvements
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate findings into pilot operations
Apply knowledge of solvent extraction and separation chemistry where applicable
Follow laboratory safety protocols and maintain compliance with environmental and regulatory standards
Qualification
Required
5+ years of experience in hydrometallurgy, specifically in extracting critical minerals from unconventional feedstocks
Proven expertise in rare earth element recovery processes
Proficiency with analytical tools such as ICP-OES/MS, XRD, and SEM
Strong skills in experimental design, process troubleshooting, and data analysis
Preferred
Knowledge of solvent extraction and coal ash valorization is a plus
Benefits
A rare opportunity to design and launch a facility that takes on some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges.
A fast-paced, mission-driven startup culture where your ideas matter, your work has immediate impact, and your career can grow as quickly as we do.
The chance to transform heavy industries and be part of a movement rewriting the future of manufacturing and national security.
Company
PHNX Materials
PHNX Materials is a manufacturing company that specializes in turning waste into essential materials and reduce carbon emissions.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$2.5MKey Investors
Divergent Capital
2025-04-21Seed· $2.5M
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