Chemical Development Engineer I

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. They are seeking a Junior Chemical Engineer to support the design, execution, and analysis of rare earth element processing technologies. Responsibilities Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments across the rare earth extraction and metallization process flowsheet Build and validate process models including comprehensive mass and energy balances Optimize chloride leaching, dissolution, and filtration operations to improve efficiency and product quality Support the development of advanced separation techniques for REE purification and concentration Develop robust precipitation processes for conversion of rare earth chlorides into high-purity oxides Contribute to early-stage metallization process R&D for converting oxides into individual rare earth metals Analyze experimental data and use findings to drive iterative improvements to the process Specify and evaluate equipment required for pilot and commercial-scale implementation Document all research procedures, findings, and recommendations with technical precision Ensure all experiments and development efforts align with EH&S and sustainability standards Skills 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 Driven by curiosity, mission, and a desire to help solve one of the most important resource challenges of our time Familiarity with rare earth chemistry or hydrometallurgy is a plus Benefits 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company. Parental leave and flexibility for families. Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world. Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations. Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career. Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference! We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day. Company Overview Phoenix Tailings is a metals-refining company that transforms mining waste (“tailings”) into usable rare earth and critical metals. It was founded in 2019, and is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA, with a workforce of 51-200 employees. Its website is Company H1B Sponsorship Phoenix Tailings has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 1 in 2025, 3 in 2024, 1 in 2023, 1 in 2022. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.