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Director Tailings Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Phoenix Tailings

4.6. Manufacturing Engineer I

Exeter, NH · On-site

$74K - $95K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... direct impact of your work.This is an opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants ...

Phoenix Tailings

4.6. Manufacturing Engineer I

Exeter, NH · On-site

$74K - $95K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... direct impact of your work.This is an opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants ...

Phoenix-Tailings

4.6. Manufacturing Engineer I

Exeter, NH · On-site

$74K - $95K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... direct impact of your work.This is an opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants ...

Phoenix Tailings

4.6. Manufacturing Engineer I

Exeter, NH · On-site

$74K - $95K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... direct impact of your work.This is an opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants ...

Phoenix Tailings

4.6. Manufacturing Engineer I

Exeter, NH · On-site

$74K - $95K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... direct impact of your work.This is an opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants ...

Equilibrium

Principal, Mine Waste

Portland, OR · Remote

... tailings engineering, mine waste engineering, geotechnical design, dam safety, Engineer of Record (EOR) services, and geotechnical risk management across complex mining projects. You will: * Direct ...

Equilibrium

Principal, Mine Waste

... tailings engineering, mine waste engineering, geotechnical design, dam safety, Engineer of Record (EOR) services, and geotechnical risk management across complex mining projects. You will: * Direct ...

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Director Tailings Engineer information

What is a director tailings engineer?

Director Tailings Engineers are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the management, design, and safety of tailings storage facilities at mining operations. They ensure that tailings dams adhere to all regulatory, environmental, and safety standards, and often lead multidisciplinary teams in risk assessment, monitoring, and emergency planning. Their role includes coordinating with regulatory bodies, managing budgets, and implementing best practices for tailings management to prevent failures and minimize environmental impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director tailings engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Director Tailings Engineer, you need advanced expertise in geotechnical engineering, tailings management, and environmental regulations, typically supported by a degree in civil or mining engineering and professional engineering licensure. Familiarity with specialized software such as GeoStudio, slope stability analysis tools, and knowledge of international tailings standards are crucial. Exceptional leadership, risk management, and communication skills help you guide multidisciplinary teams and engage stakeholders effectively. These competencies are vital to ensure the safe, sustainable, and compliant operation of tailings facilities in the mining industry.

What are some common challenges faced by a director tailings engineer, and how can they effectively address them?

A Director Tailings Engineer often faces challenges related to ensuring regulatory compliance, managing environmental risks, and implementing the latest best practices in tailings storage facility (TSF) design and operation. Effectively addressing these challenges involves staying updated on evolving regulations, fostering a culture of safety and accountability, and leveraging multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive risk assessments. Strong leadership, clear communication with stakeholders, and continuous professional development are key to overcoming these obstacles and ensuring the long-term stability and safety of TSF operations.

What is the difference between Director Tailings Engineer vs Senior Tailings Engineer?

AspectDirector Tailings EngineerSenior Tailings Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, professional engineer (PE) license, management experienceEngineering degree, PE license, specialized tailings knowledge
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team leadership, cross-department coordinationProject execution, technical analysis, site supervision
Employer & Industry UsageMining companies, large resource firms, corporate leadershipMining operations, engineering firms, project teams

The main difference is that the Director Tailings Engineer focuses on strategic oversight and leadership, while the Senior Tailings Engineer handles technical execution and project management. The director role involves higher-level decision-making and management responsibilities, whereas the senior engineer is more hands-on with engineering tasks and site-specific work.

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Director Tailings Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Tailings Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution.

6.4. Pilot Plant Engineering Director

Burlington, MA • On-site

Phoenix Tailings
Coal, Metals and Minerals Mining • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Phoenix Tailingsexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

About Phoenix Tailings 
Phoenix Tailings is a U.S.-based rare earth metals company building the most technologically advanced rare earth manufacturing platform in the world. The company develops and deploys breakthrough technologies across chemistry, industrial hardware, and digital infrastructure to produce rare earth metals and critical materials domestically at lower cost, higher efficiency, and greater scale.

We operate a fully integrated rare earth production platform spanning extraction, separation, refining, and metallization with a zero waste and zero emissions philosophy. The company is focused on restoring America's leadership in critical minerals and building the foundation for a secure domestic supply chain powering defense, energy, robotics, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.
 
Why Phoenix Tailings 

At Phoenix, we believe nothing great is ever accomplished alone - or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. You'll be joining a team building the foundational infrastructure for the modern world, developing entirely new ways to produce rare earth and critical metals domestically, cleanly, and at scale. 

 
Our Values:  
You are only crazy if you are wrong, it's ok to be wrong
Lead with Compassion
Be Resourceful
Listen
Hustle
 
About the Role

Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Director of Pilot Plant Engineering to lead the development, execution, and operation of our pilot-scale rare earth separation and metallization programs in Burlington.

This leader will sit between R&D and Manufacturing, helping move new technologies through pilot development in a structured, disciplined, and scalable way. You will be responsible for setting project priorities, coordinating engineering work, managing pilot timelines and resources, and ensuring that lessons learned at the pilot scale are translated into clear requirements for production.

You will help build a pilot organization that not only proves new technology, but creates the processes, documentation, operating discipline, and execution model required to move that technology into commercial manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead pilot-scale engineering programs for Phoenix Tailings' rare earth separation and metallization technologies, driving projects from early development through production handoff.
  • Establish project plans, priorities, schedules, milestones, and resource requirements for pilot initiatives, ensuring teams remain focused on the most critical technical and business objectives.
  • Coordinate work across R&D, engineering, operations, manufacturing, vendors, and external partners to keep pilot programs aligned and moving forward.
  • Systematize pilot plant operations by establishing clear operating procedures, documentation, data collection practices, maintenance standards, and project execution processes.
  • Oversee the design, modification, commissioning, and improvement of pilot equipment and systems required to evaluate and scale new rare earth processes.
  • Plan and lead pilot campaigns that generate the technical and operational information required to make confident scale-up and commercialization decisions.
  • Identify project risks, equipment limitations, schedule constraints, and resource gaps, and drive timely solutions to keep pilot programs on track.
  • Translate pilot results into clear engineering recommendations, operating requirements, and scale-up plans for manufacturing and future capital projects.
  • Build and develop a high-performing pilot engineering team capable of executing multiple complex programs while maintaining strong technical standards and operational discipline.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Process Engineering, or a related technical discipline; an advanced degree is a plus.
  • 8+ years of experience in pilot plant engineering, process development, scale-up, manufacturing engineering, chemical processing, metals production, minerals processing, or a similarly complex industrial environment.
  • Demonstrated experience leading pilot, demonstration, scale-up, or first-of-a-kind engineering projects from planning through execution and operational handoff.
  • Strong project management skills, including experience managing schedules, priorities, resources, technical risks, vendors, and multiple concurrent workstreams.
  • Experience working with complex process equipment and translating developing technology into reliable, repeatable operating systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical teams across R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and operations to achieve defined project and scale-up objectives.
  • Experience developing structured operating procedures, engineering documentation, project plans, and technical requirements that support successful technology transfer.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to build teams, create accountability, and drive execution in a fast-moving development environment.
  • Experience in rare earths, chemical separations, metals refining, metallurgy, or related process industries is strongly preferred.
What we Offer

This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary + discretionary bonus for this role. Total package  may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Pay Range: $140,000- $180,000 total cash compensation plus equity

  • Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee.

  • Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company. 

  • Time Off: Unlimited PTO. 

  • Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career. 

At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.  
 
Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline). 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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