Freelance Minerals Processing Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Senior Critical Minerals Expert (On-Call, Part-Time/Hourly/Remote)

Are you a critical minerals and materials expert with a deep understanding of the end-to-end supply chain-from mining and mineral processing to manufacturing, recycling, and commercialization? We need you.

ICF is seeking an on-call Critical Minerals Expert to support work with the ICF's federal, state, local, and private sector clients. This is a remote, on-call role that provides flexibility to work from zero to 30+ hours per week, depending on project needs.

In this role, you will help advance priorities aligned with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) direction-including efforts to accelerate mining activities, diversify critical mineral and metals supply chains, stimulate innovation in processing and metallurgy, expand battery and magnet research, and facilitate recycling (including black mass and other battery materials).

You may also support collaboration and engagement activities aligned with DOE's broader innovation ecosystem for critical materials-focused on coordination, commercialization, workforce development, and industry adoption of new technologies.

What you will be doing:

• Providing subject matter expertise across the critical minerals and materials value chain (upstream mining to downstream manufacturing and circularity), with emphasis on U.S. supply chain resilience and energy innovation priorities.

• Supporting DOE CMEI technical and programmatic efforts related to:

  • Mining and mineral production acceleration and modernization

  • Processing, separation, refining, and metallurgy innovation

  • Battery, magnet, and advanced materials supply chains

  • Recycling and circular economy approaches, including battery materials

• Producing or reviewing high-quality client deliverables such as: market and supply chain assessments, technical memos, landscape scans, program design inputs, stakeholder summaries, and briefings-reflective of ICF and client standards.

• Helping identify and evaluate opportunities to improve critical materials security through strategies that align with DOE's CMM program focus areas (e.g., broaden supply, develop alternatives, improve manufacturing efficiency, reuse/recycle).

• Supporting stakeholder engagement with industry, states, communities, labs, and other partners-helping translate technical topics into clear, actionable insights.

• Contributing to or reviewing content for communications products (fact sheets, case studies, website copy, outreach materials) that describe complex technical work accurately and accessibly.

• Supporting proposal/capture efforts by providing technical solutioning, win themes, or rapid-turn inputs for DOE, state, and private sector opportunities in critical minerals and mining.

• Bringing a client-first, quality-driven mindset, consistent with ICF's emphasis on actionable guidance and timely, high-quality delivery.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as mining engineering, geology, metallurgical/materials engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, earth sciences, or a related technical discipline.

• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in critical minerals and materials, including one or more of the following: mining/mineral economics, mineral processing, separation/refining, metallurgy, battery materials, rare earths, recycling/circularity, manufacturing supply chains, or resource strategy.

• Strong understanding of critical mineral supply chain risks and resilience strategies, and the intersection with energy technology, manufacturing, and national security objectives.

• Experience producing client-ready technical deliverables (memos, reports, briefings) with a high standard of clarity, accuracy, and defensibility.

• Excellent interpersonal skills; comfort collaborating in multi-disciplinary teams and working directly with clients and stakeholders.

• Ability to work effectively in an on-call capacity, flexing time and workload based on project needs

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant technical discipline (materials/metallurgical engineering, mining engineering, geology, chemical engineering, etc.).

• Experience supporting federal programs (DOE preferred) or national lab/innovation ecosystem engagements related to applied RD&D, commercialization pathways, or technology-to-market transitions.

• Familiarity with the types of priorities CMEI has emphasized under its current structure-e.g., supply chain diversification, processing/metallurgy innovation, battery/magnet R&D, and recycling of battery materials/black mass.

• Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following:

  • Techno-economic analysis (TEA), cost/market modeling, or supply chain scenario analysis

  • Circular economy program design; recycling system assessments

  • Sustainability considerations in mining and materials processing

  • Permitting/regulatory context (e.g., environmental review considerations)

• Strong data analysis skills (Excel and/or equivalent tools); ability to interpret and communicate complex datasets clearly.

• Professional credentials (preferred as relevant): Professional Engineer (PE), Professional Geologist (PG), SME credentials, Certified Professional Geologist (CPG), PMP, or other relevant certifications.

Why you will love working here:

• Quality of life: Flexible workplace arrangements and work-life balance

• Investment in community: Donation matching and volunteer opportunities

• Investment in you: 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, sick leave, and access to professional development resources

• Mission-driven impact: Help advance practical solutions that strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains and energy innovation priorities.

• A deep bench and collaborative culture: Work alongside teams known for delivering trusted, actionable guidance with agility and responsiveness.

• And many more! Ask your recruiter for more details.

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration.Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration.Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contactCandidateaccommodation@icf.comfor assistance.

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: