Staff Pyrometallurgical Engineer

Who we are:  

We're transforming one of the world’s oldest industries with cutting-edge technology and an innovative approach. Backed by top-tier investors and recognized by Time as one of the "best Inventions of 2024" and Fast Company as one of 2024's "Next Big Things in Tech", Electra is scaling rapidly and we're looking for bold, driven individuals to help us reshape the future of iron production. If you're ready to make a real impact in a company that's redefining heavy industry for a cleaner, smarter world, we want to hear from you.

What you will do:  

As a Staff Pyrometallurgical Engineer, you will focus on developing and scaling up pyrometallurgical processing steps for Electra’s clean iron process from the laboratory to our pilot, demonstration, and commercial plants.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead projects to study and scale-up pyrometallurgical processes, including designing experiments, selecting and sizing equipment, and operating equipment   
• Engage with external companies to oversee large-scale thermal processing trials, including providing feedback on equipment suitability and design of scale-up trials. This will include planning and managing trials, and evaluating the product, and establishing needed analysis
• Experience with mass and energy balance models for pyrometallurgical processes using process simulation software    
• Specify, commission, and troubleshoot new equipment   
• Collect and synthesize data; present results to guide engineering and business decisions   
• Maintain a safe working environment and lead safety assessments of new equipment and operations   
• Read, understand, and comply with all workplace health and safety policies, safe work practices, and company policies and procedures   
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

What we need you to bring to the team:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mining/Metallurgical Engineering, or Chemistry, plus a minimum of 5+ years of relevant professional experience OR a Master's degree in one of the above fields plus 8+ years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's degree in one of the above fields, plus 12+ years of relevant experience (excluding internships, co-ops and other school projects)
• Hands-on experience leading scale-up from lab through pilot to early production, including ownership of mass and energy balances, equipment specification, and resolving complex challenges in kinetics, thermodynamics, solids handling, heat transfer, and gas flow. Establishes scale-up standards and best practices
• Deep subject matter expertise in pyrometallurgical processes, including driving production readiness, troubleshooting complex issues, mitigating risk, and developing long-term process optimization strategies
• Proficiency with advanced process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen, COMSOL, or equivalent) to develop and validate models that inform capital design, scale-up strategy, and operational decisions. Ability to mentor others in modeling methodology
• Experience leading technical vendor engagements, including specification development, proposal evaluation, equipment selection, and oversight to ensure alignment with commercialization objectives
• Ability to partner with engineering leadership and operations to align pilot learnings with manufacturing goals and contribute to company-wide scale-up strategy and technical standards
• Track record of independently leading complex, ambiguous engineering initiatives, exercising sound judgment, and delivering results that impact broader organizational functions
• Demonstrated mentorship of junior engineers and leadership of critical technical projects without formal people management responsibilities, strengthening team capability
• Strong ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders through clear communication of complex technical concepts, translating engineering insights into tangible business impact. Recognized internally as a technical authority