Job Description
Positioned at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and critical resource recovery, pH7 Technologies is tackling urgent global challenges in mining and metal recycling by providing innovative closed-loop metal extraction processes. We are a dynamic, fast-paced company driven by a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our team is committed to attracting and retaining top, diverse talent who share our vision of building a better, cleaner planet.
Job Summary
The Production Engineer is responsible for leading and optimizing day-to-day production activities within a hydrometallurgical metal recycling facility. Reporting to the General Manager, this senior technical role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operation of leaching, solvent extraction, filtration, electrowinning, and associated process systems.
The Production Engineer provides technical leadership to operations personnel, drives process improvements, troubleshoots complex metallurgical and operational challenges, and supports the achievement of production, recovery, quality, cost, safety, and environmental objectives. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in hydrometallurgy, metal recovery, chemical processing, and industrial manufacturing environments.
What You’ll Do
Production Management
- Support and optimize daily plant operations to achieve production targets while maintaining product quality specifications.
- Develop dashboards and monitor key process indicators, recovery metrics, throughput, reagent consumption, and equipment performance.
- Identify production bottlenecks and implement technical solutions to improve plant efficiency.
- Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, R&D, and HSE teams to ensure smooth plant performance.
- Provide technical decision-making support during abnormal operating conditions and plant upsets.
Process Optimization
- Lead process improvement initiatives focused on metal recovery, throughput, yield, and operating cost reduction.
- Analyze production data and develop strategies to improve process control and stability.
- Conduct mass balance and metallurgical accounting assessments.
- Optimize hydrometallurgical unit operations including:
- Leaching
- Solid-liquid separation
- Ion exchange
- Electrowinning
- Refining and product finishing
- Evaluate and implement new technologies and process innovations.
Technical Leadership
- Serve as the senior process engineering resource for the facility.
- Mentor and develop junior engineers, metallurgists, and operations personnel.
- Develop operating procedures, process standards, and technical documentation.
- Lead root-cause investigations and corrective action programs.
- Provide technical input into plant expansion, debottlenecking, and capital improvement projects.
Safety and Environmental Stewardship
- Promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership and adherence to company standards.
- Ensure production activities comply with all environmental permits and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in process hazard analyses (PHA), HAZOP studies, risk assessments, and management of change (MOC) processes.
- Support incident investigations and implementation of preventive measures.
- Drive initiatives related to waste minimization, emissions reduction, and sustainability.
Project Management
- Lead and support capital and operational improvement projects from concept through commissioning.
- Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and technical specifications.
- Coordinate contractors, vendors, and engineering service providers.
- Manage plant trials, process testing, and commissioning activities.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
- Prepare production and technical reports for management.
- Monitor key operational metrics including:
- Recovery efficiency
- Throughput
- Reagent consumption
- Equipment utilization
- Operating costs
- Environmental performance
- Present recommendations and improvement plans to site leadership.
What You’ll Need
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 15+ years of progressive experience in hydrometallurgy, chemical processing, mining, metal refining, or metal recycling operations.
- Significant experience operating and optimizing industrial-scale hydrometallurgical processes.
- Demonstrated experience in production support within continuous processing facilities.
- Proven track record of delivering operational improvements and recovery enhancements.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and technical improvement initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of:
- Hydrometallurgical processing fundamentals
- Precious metal, battery metal, base metal, or specialty metal recovery processes
- Chemical process control systems
- Metallurgical accounting and mass balancing
- Statistical process analysis
- Process simulation and optimization
- Industrial water treatment systems
- Waste management and environmental compliance
- Asset reliability and operational excellence methodologies
- Experience with:
- Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
- SCADA systems
- Data analytics and process monitoring software
- Microsoft Office Suite and industrial reporting tools
Leadership Competencies
- Strong technical and operational leadership.
- Effective problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Results-oriented approach with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
How You’ll Stand Out
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or eligibility.
Preferred Industry Background
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following industries are strongly preferred:
- Precious metals refining (PGM, gold, silver)
- Battery recycling and critical minerals recovery
- Base metals hydrometallurgy
- Electronic waste recycling
- Chemical processing
- Mining and metallurgical operations
- Resource recovery and circular economy facilities
Success Measures
The Production Engineer will be evaluated on:
- Safety performance
- Production target achievement
- Metal recovery and yield improvements
- Cost reduction initiatives
- Process stability and reliability
- Environmental compliance
- Project delivery performance
- Workforce development and technical leadership
Working Hours & Environment
This is a full-time, on-site role at pH7 Technologies' facility in South Burnaby, BC, reporting to the General Manager. Core hours follow the standard plant operating schedule, Monday to Friday, with regular presence required in operating areas, laboratories, and production facilities.
This role also involves participation in plant shutdowns, commissioning activities, and occasional off-hours operational support, along with the use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).
Benefits
- Competitive compensation packages that scale with seniority, including ESOP equity and performance-based bonuses.
- Extended health coverage options, depending on location.
- Three (3) weeks of paid vacation per year.
- Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities.
All applicants will be required to participate in a criminal history and credit history background check as part of the onboarding process. All employment offers at pH7 Technologies are contingent upon successfully completing and passing these checks.
pH7 Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful workplace that values the unique backgrounds, talents, and perspectives of all individuals. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences and welcome those who bring diverse ideas and contributions to our team.