SVP of Engineering

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end engineering function for U.S. refining-facility design, build, and commissioning
• Translate pilot data into commercial-scale process and facility design packages
• Lead site integration with partner operators, EPC selection, vendor management, and capital project execution
• Manage and grow the North American engineering team; recruit, mentor, and structure the function
• Partner closely with the company's laboratory team on continuous process optimization and third-party projects
• Represent engineering in government, customer, partner, and investor conversations
• Build the documentation, IP, and replication-ready engineering playbook so each subsequent refining facility deploys faster and cleaner than the last
• Ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance across North American operations

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in hydrometallurgical critical-materials processing, with at least 5 years at the Director/VP level
• Hands-on experience with the designing and commissioning of at least one commercial-scale hydrometallurgical refining or processing facility (battery materials, base metals, rare earths, or similar)
• Proven ability to carry a process through the full lifecycle: pilot, FEED, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and ramp
• Deep working knowledge of hydromet unit operations: leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, precipitation, crystallization, filtration, and effluent management
• Track record managing EPC partners and multi-million-dollar capital projects
• Familiarity with U.S. permitting, environmental, and safety frameworks for chemical and refining facilities (EPA, OSHA, applicable state and local)
• Working knowledge of U.S. federal critical-materials grants, contracting, and reporting frameworks
• Prior experience at a venture-backed or grant-funded scale-up
• Network across U.S. mining, refining, and EPC ecosystems
• Advanced degree in Chemical, Metallurgical, or Process Engineering, or equivalent operational track record
• Professional Engineer (PE) license