{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"81229e03e2edb05dbff236cc","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/81229e03e2edb05dbff236cc","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/81229e03e2edb05dbff236cc","title":"Hydrometallurgy Process Development Engineer","description":"About Alta\nAlta Resource Technologies (Alta) is a next generation mining company that uses synthetic biology to separate critical minerals from conventional and unconventional resources, including e-waste. Founded in 2023, the company is expanding its team in Boulder, CO. The exponential growth of new tech industries, as well as the information technology sector, are driving historic growth in mineral demand and stressing existing supply streams. Meeting new demand, diversifying the supply chain, and producing minerals in a more sustainable manner requires the rapid development, deployment and scaling of new technologies. This mineral challenge represents a historic opportunity for technology development and value creation. Alta is proud to be at the vanguard of this mega trend.\n\nRole Summary\nAlta is seeking a Hydrometallurgy Process Development Engineer to own and advance hydrometallurgical process development across laboratory, pilot, and commercial scales. The ideal candidate will design, optimize, and scale hydrometallurgical unit operations including leaching, precipitation, impurity removal, and calcination for rare earth elements from ores and concentrates. They will work cross-functionally with R&D and Engineering/Operations teams to improve yield, purity, robustness, and economics of Alta’s end-to-end flowsheets.\n\nA successful candidate will\n\nDevelop and optimize hydrometallurgical flowsheets for commercial-scale systems\n\nLead and support the development and commercialization of hydrometallurgical unit operations that are quantitatively understood, scalable, and integrated with Alta’s separation platform\n\nDrive process development efforts to improve recovery, purity, and robustness through data and experimentation\n\nProvide mass balance models and quantitative insights to guide technical and business decisions\n\nWork with external subject matter experts to augment internal capabilities and accelerate timelines\n\nKey Responsibilities\nTechnical Leadership & Process Design\n\nProvide hydrometallurgical subject matter expertise across the organization\n\nLead the design and optimization of hydrometallurgical flowsheets for REE-bearing ores, concentrates, and intermediate streams\n\nOwn unit operations including leaching, selective precipitation, impurity removal, and calcination\n\nTranslate bench‑scale chemistry into pilot and commercial‑scale process designs, including operating envelopes, equipment sizing, and integration with upstream and downstream systems\n\nIdentify technical risks related to scale‑up, impurity control, reagent consumption, and solids handling, and develop mitigation strategies\n\nOperate effectively across lab, pilot, demo, and commercial environments, acting as a player‑coach\n\nQuantitative Analysis & Modeling\n\nDevelop and maintain mass balance models across hydrometallurgical processes\n\nTrack yield, recovery, purity, and losses at each unit operation\n\nUse data to drive design decisions, trade studies, and process optimization\n\nSupport techno‑economic analysis (TEA) including reagent costs, throughput, and waste streams\n\nExperimental Design & Data Integration\n\nDesign statistically sound experiments to improve yield and product purity\n\nPartner with Process Engineering and Analytical Chemistry teams to define sampling plans, analytical methods, and data quality requirements\n\nInterpret analytical data (ICP‑OES/MS, solids characterization, particle size distribution, etc.) to inform process improvements\n\nEnsure experimental work is scalable, reproducible, and well‑documented\n\nScale‑Up & Deployment\n\nSupport pilot system design, commissioning, and operation, including troubleshooting\n\nDefine operating procedures, control strategies, and performance metrics\n\nTranslate pilot learnings into robust commercial process designs\n\nWork with external partners, vendors, and test facilities\n\nCross‑Functional Collaboration\n\nCollaborate with Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering teams to align hydrometallurgical operations with system performance goals\n\nProvide technical mentorship and review for junior engineers and scientists\n\nClearly communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders\n\nRequired Qualifications\n\nBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field\n\n~5+ years of relevant experience in engineering, technology, or operating environments (lower experience considered for PhD holders)\n\nHands‑on experience in hydrometallurgy, including leaching, precipitation, and calcination\n\nProven ability to design and scale chemical processes from lab to pilot and toward commercial systems\n\nStrong quantitative skills, including mass balances, data analysis, and experimental design\n\nAbility to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, R&D‑driven environment\n\nU.S. citizenship is required.\n\nWhat We Offer\n\nThe opportunity to lead a breakthrough program redefining U.S. supply chain resilience in critical materials.\n\nA mission‑driven, high‑trust team operating at the intersection of innovation, national security, and sustainability.\n\nHigh Impact & Visibility: direct interaction and reporting to executive leadership.\n\nCompensation & Benefits\n\nThe starting pay range for this position is $145,000 - $200,000, commensurate with educational background and work experience.\n\nBenefits include:\n\n401(K)\n\nMedical, Dental, Vision plans (or equivalent)\n\nFlexible Time Off\n\nPaid Parental Leave\n\nPaid Sick Leave\n\nCompany Holidays\n\nEOE\nAlta Resource Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds strengthen our team and drive better outcomes for our clients and partners.\n\nWe welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and the needs of the business. Alta participates in e‑Verify for all positions.\n\nIf you require accommodations at any point in the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.\n\nFor information about Alta's privacy practices, see our Privacy Policy.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Stanford Climate Ventures","rawCompany":"stanford climate ventures","city":"Boulder","state":"CO","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-07-04T03:43:36.622Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2041.00","title":"Chemical Engineers","slug":"chemical-engineers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"},{"code":"17-2131.00","title":"Materials Engineers","slug":"materials-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"212290","title":"Other Metal Ore Mining","slug":"other-metal-ore-mining"},{"code":"331410","title":"Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining","slug":"nonferrous-metal-except-aluminum-smelting-and-refining"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Hydrometallurgy Process Development Engineer","description":"About Alta\nAlta Resource Technologies (Alta) is a next generation mining company that uses synthetic biology to separate critical minerals from conventional and unconventional resources, including e-waste. Founded in 2023, the company is expanding its team in Boulder, CO. The exponential growth of new tech industries, as well as the information technology sector, are driving historic growth in mineral demand and stressing existing supply streams. Meeting new demand, diversifying the supply chain, and producing minerals in a more sustainable manner requires the rapid development, deployment and scaling of new technologies. This mineral challenge represents a historic opportunity for technology development and value creation. Alta is proud to be at the vanguard of this mega trend.\n\nRole Summary\nAlta is seeking a Hydrometallurgy Process Development Engineer to own and advance hydrometallurgical process development across laboratory, pilot, and commercial scales. The ideal candidate will design, optimize, and scale hydrometallurgical unit operations including leaching, precipitation, impurity removal, and calcination for rare earth elements from ores and concentrates. They will work cross-functionally with R&D and Engineering/Operations teams to improve yield, purity, robustness, and economics of Alta’s end-to-end flowsheets.\n\nA successful candidate will\n\nDevelop and optimize hydrometallurgical flowsheets for commercial-scale systems\n\nLead and support the development and commercialization of hydrometallurgical unit operations that are quantitatively understood, scalable, and integrated with Alta’s separation platform\n\nDrive process development efforts to improve recovery, purity, and robustness through data and experimentation\n\nProvide mass balance models and quantitative insights to guide technical and business decisions\n\nWork with external subject matter experts to augment internal capabilities and accelerate timelines\n\nKey Responsibilities\nTechnical Leadership & Process Design\n\nProvide hydrometallurgical subject matter expertise across the organization\n\nLead the design and optimization of hydrometallurgical flowsheets for REE-bearing ores, concentrates, and intermediate streams\n\nOwn unit operations including leaching, selective precipitation, impurity removal, and calcination\n\nTranslate bench‑scale chemistry into pilot and commercial‑scale process designs, including operating envelopes, equipment sizing, and integration with upstream and downstream systems\n\nIdentify technical risks related to scale‑up, impurity control, reagent consumption, and solids handling, and develop mitigation strategies\n\nOperate effectively across lab, pilot, demo, and commercial environments, acting as a player‑coach\n\nQuantitative Analysis & Modeling\n\nDevelop and maintain mass balance models across hydrometallurgical processes\n\nTrack yield, recovery, purity, and losses at each unit operation\n\nUse data to drive design decisions, trade studies, and process optimization\n\nSupport techno‑economic analysis (TEA) including reagent costs, throughput, and waste streams\n\nExperimental Design & Data Integration\n\nDesign statistically sound experiments to improve yield and product purity\n\nPartner with Process Engineering and Analytical Chemistry teams to define sampling plans, analytical methods, and data quality requirements\n\nInterpret analytical data (ICP‑OES/MS, solids characterization, particle size distribution, etc.) to inform process improvements\n\nEnsure experimental work is scalable, reproducible, and well‑documented\n\nScale‑Up & Deployment\n\nSupport pilot system design, commissioning, and operation, including troubleshooting\n\nDefine operating procedures, control strategies, and performance metrics\n\nTranslate pilot learnings into robust commercial process designs\n\nWork with external partners, vendors, and test facilities\n\nCross‑Functional Collaboration\n\nCollaborate with Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering teams to align hydrometallurgical operations with system performance goals\n\nProvide technical mentorship and review for junior engineers and scientists\n\nClearly communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders\n\nRequired Qualifications\n\nBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field\n\n~5+ years of relevant experience in engineering, technology, or operating environments (lower experience considered for PhD holders)\n\nHands‑on experience in hydrometallurgy, including leaching, precipitation, and calcination\n\nProven ability to design and scale chemical processes from lab to pilot and toward commercial systems\n\nStrong quantitative skills, including mass balances, data analysis, and experimental design\n\nAbility to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, R&D‑driven environment\n\nU.S. citizenship is required.\n\nWhat We Offer\n\nThe opportunity to lead a breakthrough program redefining U.S. supply chain resilience in critical materials.\n\nA mission‑driven, high‑trust team operating at the intersection of innovation, national security, and sustainability.\n\nHigh Impact & Visibility: direct interaction and reporting to executive leadership.\n\nCompensation & Benefits\n\nThe starting pay range for this position is $145,000 - $200,000, commensurate with educational background and work experience.\n\nBenefits include:\n\n401(K)\n\nMedical, Dental, Vision plans (or equivalent)\n\nFlexible Time Off\n\nPaid Parental Leave\n\nPaid Sick Leave\n\nCompany Holidays\n\nEOE\nAlta Resource Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds strengthen our team and drive better outcomes for our clients and partners.\n\nWe welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and the needs of the business. Alta participates in e‑Verify for all positions.\n\nIf you require accommodations at any point in the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.\n\nFor information about Alta's privacy practices, see our Privacy Policy.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-07-04T03:43:36.622Z","dateModified":"2026-07-04T03:43:36.622Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Stanford Climate Ventures","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Boulder","addressRegion":"CO","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"81229e03e2edb05dbff236cc"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/81229e03e2edb05dbff236cc"}}