Lead Process Engineer - Lithium

About the role

This senior-level position leads and executes projects supporting the safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective development of lithium and other mineral resources. The role applies advanced engineering principles, best industrial practices, and human performance tools to support plant operations at the BHE Renewables direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant in Calipatria, CA. Responsibilities include optimizing process performance, improving equipment and system reliability, ensuring design efficiency, and mentoring less experienced engineers.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and leads internal and external resources to ensure successful execution and delivery of assigned mineral development projects, including project planning, scheduling, and overall project management while maintaining a Target Zero safety mindset.
• Evaluates facility performance and provides recommendations to the plant manager regarding process improvement and operational optimization.
• Analyzes operational data to identify and resolve process issues while maximizing facility performance.
• Prepares and presents analytical reports to communicate key operational insights to the team.
• Reviews project designs, process documentation, and standard operating and testing procedures to ensure compliance with engineering principles, company standards, customer contract requirements, and applicable codes and specifications.
• Provides technical leadership in coordinating process development activities and resolving engineering design and testing issues.
• Generates and/or reviews heat and mass balances, performs detailed equipment and process design calculations, and develops technical specifications.
• Recommends and implements facility and equipment performance testing related to reliability, operability, and efficiency of equipment and its integration with plant operations.
• Supports pilot, demonstration, and commercial-scale testing and operations.
• Responds to operational needs and provides technical services to operations as required.
• Maintains close coordination with operations and other functional teams to evaluate equipment performance, recommend design/specification improvements, monitor project performance trends, and identify technology upgrades to enhance facility operations.
• Provides technical mentorship, guidance, and supervision to process engineers and interns to support their professional development and technical competence.
• Performs additional responsibilities, including special projects, as requested or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or mechanical engineering with at least 10 years of experience as a practicing engineer in an industrial environment such as a refinery, mineral processing facility, chemical plant, or water treatment facility.
• This is an operations-focused role.
• Must be willing to work in a lithium recovery manufacturing plant located in Calipatria, California.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Effective interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and relationship-building skills.
• Able to mentor and provide direction to process engineers as needed.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to make clear and precise decisions in critical situations.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects and issues concurrently.
• Technical skills to focus ideas onto substantial projects.
• Willingness to learn and clearly communicate complex ideas and concepts to those with less technical background.
• A valid driver's license is required.

About Us

BHE Renewables delivers sustainable energy solutions for customers and communities. We own, operate, and develop wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and natural gas projects in 11 U.S. states. The power generated is sold into energy markets or directly to customers through long-term purchase agreements.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, BHE Renewables is an innovative and growing company with new offices in Phoenix and San Diego. Our 50/50 joint venture with Occidental Petroleum has led to a demonstration project showing how TerraLithium technology is used to extract lithium from the brine presently flowing through our geothermal plants in Imperial Valley, CA.

Our CHAMPION culture drives our success by fostering high expectations, ownership, and continuous improvement within a respectful and inclusive team environment. Through the CHAMPION mindset, we focus on the fundamentals—preparation, planning, and attention to detail—holding ourselves accountable to do simple better. Alongside this, the BHE Renewables CARES program encourages employee volunteerism and invests in our communities, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and collaboration.