Chief Metallurgist

Chief Metallurgist

About Us

Our client is a company with the goal of recovering precious and non-precious metals from electronic scrap while maintaining a zero hazardous waste environment. We have been a pilot plant for several years developing our patented process and are now ready for commercialization. We are looking for a Metallurgist with experience in recovering precious metals from materials with very low concentrations of precious metals.

Job Description

The Chief Metallurgist is responsible for all metallurgical activities related to the assay lab, operations metallurgy, and refining operations at our facility located in Charlotte, NC. Responsible for the extraction of precious and non-precious metals from electronic scrap including, but not limited to, printed circuit boards. This position reports directly to the V.P. of Operations. The Chief Metallurgist is responsible for overall development, design, implementation, and execution of metallurgical and chemical processing operations. With the assistance of Process Engineering the Chief Metallurgist will manage the overall design of process flowsheets, plant layouts, material handling systems, manpower requirements, equipment procurement, and material utilization.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Must be hands-on and willing to get your hands dirty.
• Supervises and develops metallurgical, refinery, and assay staff.
• Lead operations improvement projects in the processing area.
• Work on projects through all aspects of experimental design, engineering, forecasting, and construction.
• Be pro-active in all aspects of the operation; safety, productivity, business improvement initiatives, and teamwork across the site.
• Ensures the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation and maintenance of the laboratory to meet or exceed environmental compliance.
• Evaluate new equipment and testing processes for improved safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Demonstrate positive two-way communication, fair and consistent administration of company policies and procedures, and responsiveness to employee concerns.
• Strong ability to coach and mentor others, both peers and subordinates.
• Experience in a leaching, electro-winning, or a similar hydrometallurgical facility.
• Lead, direct, and support all aspects of operations including, but not limited to, caustic leaching in ultrasonic tanks, component removal from PCB's, acid leaching steps, and neutralization of acid waste, and wastewater treatment, with the goal of recovering both precious and non-precious metals in an environmentally friendly manner.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent Process-related degree required with 7 years of experience in Metallurgy or closely related scientific field including lead or supervisory experience, or
• Master's degree in Metallurgy, Chemistry or related Engineering discipline and 5 years of experience in Metallurgy or closely related scientific field, including lead or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information in a clear and concise form.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large projects and provide timely and quality results.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate technical needs, drive and optimize complex metallurgical test work based on complex data analysis and make recommendations for process improvement changes.
• Experience in a leaching, electro-winning, or a similar hydrometallurgical facility preferred.
• Knowledge of the storage, handling and use of reagents and the elimination of process waste.
• Experience with pumps, ultrasonics, grinding mills, conveyors, ICP-OES, glass-lined processing vessels preferred.