Senior Process Engineer

Making the Metals Powering the World

Solcoa Industries is an American rare earth metals producer headquartered in Alameda, California.


We convert rare-earth oxides and magnet manufacturing scrap into the high-purity metals and alloys at the foundation of electrification, automation, and defense - the materials inside every fighter jet, EV, wind turbine, and phone.


For decades, the West has depended on China to produce these materials. Solcoa is rebuilding that supply chain at home: we're one of the very few producers outside China, and the only one developing new chemistries and a proprietary process to produce these metals at lower cost than conventional routes - without the harmful emissions.

The Role - Senior Process Engineer

You'll lead the scale-up of our pilot into a demonstration plant, laying the groundwork for follow-on commercial facilities. You'll translate R&D into engineered processes, partner with external engineering firms/EPCs, and drive safe, on-time construction and commissioning.

What You'll Do

• Lead scale-up from lab/pilot to demonstration and commercial scale for rare-earth metallization processes.
• Own core process deliverables: PFDs, P&IDs, mass & energy balances, control narratives, and operating envelopes.
• Translate internal research into detailed engineering packages for external partners; manage scope, interfaces, and change control.
• Direct custom equipment specification, vendor selection, FAT/SAT, and installation through third-party fabricators.
• Plan and run HAZOP/LOPA and safety reviews; implement safeguards and MOC.
• Coordinate with EPC contractors to ensure schedule, cost, quality, and safety targets are met through mechanical completion and startup.
• Develop commissioning plans, SOPs, and operator training; support ramp-to-rate and reliability growth.
• Optimize processes for yield, throughput, cost, environmental compliance, and uptime; instrument KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
• Navigate permitting and regulatory documentation in collaboration with EHS and external consultants.
• Anticipate risks and unblock issues rapidly in an agile, high-accountability environment.

What You Bring

Required

• Typically 5+ years as a Process/Project Engineer in industrial plant design, construction, or operations (chemicals, metallurgical, electrochemical, or related).
• Demonstrated success scaling processes from lab/pilot to commercial scale.
• Experience managing and communicating effectively with engineering firms and EPC contractors.
• Strong command of PFDs, P&IDs, mass/energy balances, control strategies, HAZOP, and regulatory documentation.
• Track record delivering plants or major process units safely, on schedule, and on budget.
• Excellent cross-functional communication, documentation, and project leadership.
• Availability to start soon.

Preferred

• Background in high-temperature processes, electrochemical cells, molten-salt systems, or rare-earth metallurgy.
• Familiarity with environmental/permitting frameworks for chemical/metallurgical facilities.
• Start-up/commissioning experience and hands-on time in operating plants.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAE tools and data analysis for process performance.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-provided lunch daily
• Visa sponsorship available if needed