Development Engineering Tech I

We are on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies are required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, and our battery grade lithium and tech metals are needed for chipsets, semiconductors, and 5G. We have a substantial interest in the Round Top, Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals deposit in West Texas. We have also developed the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility and we own the only scalable, sintered neo‑magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing this fully integrated, US‑based mine‑to‑magnet critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading domestic supplier to these industries.

We are creative and solution‑oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world‑class solutions in sustainable ways.

Deliver Quality – When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top‑tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.

We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.

The R&D Engineer supports the development and scale‑up of rare earth processing technologies, focusing on extraction, separation, and purification from primary and recycled feedstocks. This role is highly hands‑on, bridging lab research and pilot plant operations to advance processes toward commercial readiness.

Translate bench‑scale work into pilot‑scale operations, supporting scale‑up and process optimization.

Operate and support pilot plant systems, including test planning, data collection, and troubleshooting.

Perform mass balances and analyze process data to improve recoveries, efficiency, and product quality.

Develop technical documentation (SOPs, PFDs, test reports) to support pilot operations and scale‑up.

Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to advance process design and commercialization.

Support safety programs, including PHAs and compliance with environmental and operational standards.

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Metallurgical, or Materials Engineering (advanced degree a plus).

3–7 years of experience in hydrometallurgy, chemical processing, or process R&D.

Experience with pilot plant operations and process scale‑up.

Strong data analysis, problem‑solving, and process troubleshooting skills.

Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment will be an office environment. Normal office noises. USA Rare Earth's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. For assistance applying for employment through this site due to disability, please contact People & Culture, View email address on click.appcast.io.