Hydrometallurgist

Job description

## Who We Are Kunin Technologies is revolutionizing the critical mineral supply chain by implementing advanced separation technologies to capture value from overlooked resources. Metals are everywhere—in solar panels, smartphones, electric vehicles—but as ore grades plummet globally, traditional extraction methods are failing. China dominates critical minerals markets by developing superior separation technologies that extract value from materials American mines discard as waste. Utilizing Kunin Technologies’ breakthrough mass manufacturable nano-separation systems, significantly more value can be produced from each resource, reducing waste, and unlocking domestic critical mineral production. ## Mission for Year 1 You will lead hydrometallurgical flowsheet development for critical mineral recovery across diverse process streams – focused on the integration of leaching, IX, SX, precipitation, crystallization, and electrowinning unit operations. By the end of 2026, we expect: · Two in-field pilots delivered, installed, and operating. · Integrated mass balance, equilibria, and kinetics into a unified process model that drives dynamic cost and design choices. ## What You’ll Lead · Development of hydrometallurgical flowsheets across leaching, solid–liquid separation, ion-exchange, solvent extraction, precipitation, crystallization, electrowinning, polishing, and effluent management · Hands-on laboratory experimentation to optimize kinetics, selectivity, throughput, purity, and regeneration chemistry for Kunin’s separation systems and integrated flowsheets. · Pilot testing of hydrometallurgical unit operations to validate bench-scale results. · Process cost modeling, converting key process equilibrium, mass transfer, and reaction rates into value model assumptions. · Cross-functional alignment with the ion-exchange media team on resin and reagent choices and with the process controls development team on operating windows. · Scale flowsheets from bench to pilot to commercial deployment. · Identify, vet, and down-select key process technology vendors from pilot through commercialization. · Lead engagement and joint-research collaboration with National Laboratories, Universities, & Corporate R&D teams. ## Who You Are · Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy or Hydrometallurgy · Hydrometallurgist with 3+ years in flowsheet development and unit-operation optimization. · Hands-on laboratory and pilot experience across leaching, solid–liquid separation, ion-exchange, solvent extraction, and precipitation; electrowinning and crystallization preferred. · Process modeling and transport analyst using MetSim, HSC Chemistry, SysCAD, and Aspen Plus. · Excited to work in an early-stage startup environment with high autonomy, opportunity, & expectations. · Hands-on technical lead, willing to work directly on bench and pilot scale operations regardless of seniority. · Precipitate/electrolyte modelling tools (PHREEQC, Oli Studio) ## Compensation This role will pay $80,000 - $150,000, benefits, and equity. Company facilities include gym, sauna, and ice bath. ## Additional Requirements · Must be willing to relocate to Chattanooga, TN and available to travel to customers across the United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia for process technology installation and commissioning. *Chattanooga is more beautiful than expected, and Tennessee has no income tax.* · Flexibility for extended hours during critical project phases