Critical Elements HR

Metallurgical Process Technician

Cedar Park, TexasFull-time
$70,000 - $75,000 annually
About the Job
What You’ll Do:
Operating:
  • Manage day-to-day operations of lab-scale process equipment, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency.
  • Achieve safe and proper operation of small-scale equipment under set parameters to produce samples for analytical evaluation and process design.
  • Establish, document, and maintain laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all process operations.
  • Conduct mineral beneficiation and material handling operations.
  • Execute wet lab mineral extraction and processing operations.

Technical Expertise:
  • Operate a full suite of process laboratory equipment and perform tests, including:
  • Hydrometallurgical leaching processes
  • Solid/liquid filtration systems
  • Vacuum filtration
  • Thermal furnace treatment and crucible handling
  • Material crushing and grinding equipment
  • Stirred beaker reactions
  • Hot plate chemistry testing (acid and base chemicals)
  • Sample preparation and handling for delivery to Analytical Lab
  • Ensure that all process operations produce materials suitable for analytical testing and are documented in compliance with laboratory best practices.
  • Conduct maintenance and troubleshooting of process equipment to uphold operational reliability and safety.

Collaboration and Innovation:
  • Collaborate closely with engineering and senior staff, the R&D team, and Analytical Lab Technicians to support the testing of new extraction, separation, and material processing technologies.
  • Stay informed about advancements in process equipment and methods to continually improve capabilities and methodologies.

Data Management and Reporting:
  • Ensure accurate, timely, and secure recording of process parameters, operational data, and sample tracking in alignment with company standards.
  • Provide operational reports and process observations to support decision-making in R&D projects and process optimization initiatives.
  • Present process results and insights to engineering teams, partners, and stakeholders as needed.

Quality and Safety Compliance:
  • Maintain rigorous adherence to laboratory safety protocols and compliance with regulatory standards in a physically demanding environment.
  • Implement quality control measures to achieve consistent process operations and sample quality.
  • Follow internal quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs for process operations.

What You Bring:
  • Degree or diploma in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
  • Experience in a process laboratory, pilot plant, or industrial production setting is desired.
  • Background in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, wastewater treatment, or industrial production operations.
  • Familiarity with process equipment including leaching systems, filtration equipment, furnaces, and material preparation equipment.
  • Strong understanding of process operations, safety protocols, and equipment operation.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate with engineering staff and interdisciplinary teams.
  • Commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and innovative working environment.
  • Physical ability to perform extended standing, lifting, and material handling tasks.

Who You Are:
  • Hands-on and self-sufficient: you excel at operating equipment and troubleshooting process challenges in real-time.
  • Safety-conscious and detail-oriented: you understand that proper equipment operation is critical to producing quality samples and maintaining a safe work environment.
  • Collaborative: you thrive working closely with engineering and senior staff in a dynamic R&D environment and value open communication.
  • Results-driven: you take pride in operating equipment that produces materials enabling measurable process improvements.
  • Physically capable: you're comfortable with the physical demands of process work, including extended standing and material handling.