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Rare Earth Minerals Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Magnetics Engineer

Stillwater, OK · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

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 ...

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 ...

Magnetics Engineer

Stillwater, OK · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

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 ...

R&D Engineer

Wheat Ridge, CO · On-site

$105K - $120K/yr

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 ...

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Rare Earth Minerals information

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How much do rare earth minerals jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for rare earth minerals in the United States is $35.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $48.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are rare earth minerals?

Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 chemically similar elements found in the Earth's crust, including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Despite their name, most rare earth elements are relatively abundant, but they are rarely found in concentrated deposits that are economically viable to mine. These minerals are essential for manufacturing a wide range of high-tech products, such as smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military equipment, due to their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in the rare earth minerals industry?

Professionals in the rare earth minerals industry often encounter challenges such as fluctuating global demand, complex extraction processes, and stringent environmental regulations. Working in this field may also involve navigating supply chain risks and ensuring the ethical sourcing of materials. Additionally, collaboration with cross-functional teams—including geologists, engineers, and environmental specialists—is essential for meeting production targets while maintaining compliance and sustainability standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rare earth minerals specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rare Earth Minerals Specialist, you need a solid background in geology, mineralogy, and chemistry, often supported by a relevant degree in earth sciences or mining engineering. Familiarity with analytical tools such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and mining software, as well as certifications in mining safety, are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure accurate resource assessment, efficient extraction, and compliance with safety and environmental standards in the rare earth minerals industry.

What is the difference between Rare Earth Minerals vs Geologists?

AspectRare Earth MineralsGeologists
Required CredentialsGeology degree, mineral identification skillsGeology degree, fieldwork experience
Work EnvironmentMining sites, laboratoriesField sites, research labs
Industry UsageMining, mineral processingEarth science research, exploration

Rare Earth Minerals professionals focus on extracting and processing specific minerals, while Geologists study Earth's processes and locate mineral deposits. Both roles require geology knowledge but differ in daily tasks and industry focus.

More about Rare Earth Minerals jobs

What cities are hiring for Rare Earth Minerals jobs?

Cities with the most Rare Earth Minerals job openings:

What states have the most Rare Earth Minerals jobs?

States with the most job openings for Rare Earth Minerals jobs include:

Infographic showing various Rare Earth Minerals job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 77% In-person, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,307 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Rare-Earth Separation & Refining Specialist - GCM-6

Boston, MA • On-site, Remote

$150 - $300/hr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Rare-Earth Separation & Refining Specialist - GCM-6
Location: Remote - anchored to Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Engagement: Contingent consulting/project-based assignment
Anticipated compensation: $150-$300 per hour or a negotiated fixed price for a defined work package
Travel: International travel may be required
Opportunity: USTDA Global Critical Minerals Project Scoping Services
Position Summary
Axyde Analytics is assembling a multidisciplinary expert cadre for a time-sensitive proposal to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. If Axyde receives the award, USTDA may request support evaluating prospective international mining, mineral-processing, refining, infrastructure and critical-mineral supply-chain projects.
For GCM-6, Axyde is seeking a senior specialist with substantial, directly evidenced experience separating mixed rare-earth feedstocks into individual, high-purity rare-earth products.
Relevant specialties include:
  • Cracking and leaching of rare-earth concentrates
  • Removal of iron, aluminum, calcium, thorium, uranium and other impurities
  • Multistage rare-earth solvent-extraction circuits
  • Ion-exchange or chromatographic rare-earth separation
  • Scrubbing, stripping and recycle-circuit control
  • Selective precipitation and oxalate or carbonate production
  • Calcination to separated rare-earth oxides
  • Production of high-purity individual rare-earth compounds
  • Integration with metal, alloy or permanent-magnet manufacturing

This is a deliberately narrow technical requirement. The specialist may work within a broader team addressing geology, beneficiation, radiological risk, infrastructure, markets, finance and environmental issues, but selection for GCM-6 will be based primarily on demonstrated depth in rare-earth separation and refining.
This is not a general rare-earth geology, mining, mineral-processing, magnet, materials-science or supply-chain position. Experience identifying or beneficiating rare-earth ores will not substitute for directly relevant separation and refining experience.
Potential Responsibilities
Depending on the assignment, the specialist may:
  • Evaluate rare-earth mineral concentrates, intermediate products and mixed rare-earth feedstocks.
  • Review cracking, roasting, leaching and feed-preparation assumptions preceding separation.
  • Assess removal of radioactive, base-metal and other impurities.
  • Evaluate multistage solvent-extraction, ion-exchange or alternative separation circuits.
  • Review extractant selection, circuit configuration, stage requirements, scrubbing, stripping and recycle assumptions.
  • Evaluate separation factors, purity targets, recovery, reagent consumption and solution-inventory requirements.
  • Assess laboratory, bench, pilot, demonstration and commercial-scale test results.
  • Review selective precipitation, filtration, washing, drying and calcination steps.
  • Assess production of individual rare-earth oxides, salts, metals or alloy precursors.
  • Evaluate process controls required to maintain product purity and circuit stability.
  • Review mass balances, water balances, chemical consumption, waste streams and residue-management assumptions.
  • Assess equipment selection, materials of construction, corrosion risks, utilities and infrastructure requirements.
  • Identify test-work gaps, scale-up limitations, operating risks and conditions for project advancement.
  • Evaluate technical interfaces with downstream metal, alloy and permanent-magnet production.
  • Contribute to project scopes, terms of reference, budgets, schedules, test programs and technical-risk registers.
  • Prepare or independently review concise, decision-grade technical findings and recommendations.
  • Participate in remote meetings, stakeholder discussions and international site visits when required.

Required Specialized Experience
Applicants must demonstrate meaningful experience in one or more of the following:
  • Separation of mixed rare-earth concentrates or solutions.
  • Multistage rare-earth solvent extraction.
  • Ion-exchange or chromatographic rare-earth separation.
  • Light-rare-earth and heavy-rare-earth separation.
  • Removal or management of thorium, uranium or other radioactive constituents.
  • Selective precipitation of individual or grouped rare-earth products.
  • Production of separated rare-earth oxides, carbonates, oxalates, chlorides or other compounds.
  • Pilot-plant design, execution, interpretation or scale-up.
  • Commercial rare-earth separation-plant commissioning, operation, troubleshooting or optimization.
  • Independent technical review of rare-earth separation technologies, projects or investment claims.

Experience limited to rare-earth exploration, resource estimation, ore beneficiation, concentrate production, market analysis or magnet manufacturing is not sufficient by itself.
Applicants must distinguish their personal technical contributions from the work performed by the broader project or organization.
Résumé Evidence Required
DO NOT SUBMIT A GENERAL RÉSUMÉ.
The submitted résumé must clearly identify:
  • At least two directly relevant rare-earth separation or refining projects.
  • The feed material and rare-earth distribution involved.
  • The individual or grouped rare-earth products targeted.
  • The specific separation technology and circuit configuration.
  • The applicant's personal role and technical responsibility.
  • The scale of the work: laboratory, bench, pilot, demonstration or commercial.
  • Relevant extractants, resins, precipitants, equipment, operating conditions or process-control methods.
  • Product-purity, recovery, selectivity or impurity-removal requirements.
  • Technical reports, flowsheets, models, designs, reviews or recommendations personally produced.
  • Measurable technical or commercial outcomes, where available.

A résumé that merely lists rare earths, critical minerals, solvent extraction, magnets or materials science without substantiating direct rare-earth separation and refining experience will not be advanced.
Breadth is not rewarded for GCM-6 unless the required rare-earth separation depth is first established.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in chemical engineering, hydrometallurgy, extractive metallurgy, chemistry, materials science or a closely related discipline.
  • Professional Engineer or comparable technical credential.
  • Experience taking a rare-earth separation process from laboratory testing through pilot, demonstration or commercial operation.
  • Experience with both light and heavy rare-earth separation.
  • Familiarity with radiological controls and radioactive-residue management.
  • Experience connecting separated rare-earth products to metal, alloy or permanent-magnet requirements.
  • Experience reviewing process mass balances, capital costs and operating costs.
  • Experience evaluating projects in emerging markets.
  • Experience preparing independent technical reviews, feasibility-study inputs or lender/investor due diligence.
  • Experience preparing English-language reports for government, financial or executive decision-makers.

Eligibility and Availability
Applicants must:
  • Be a U.S. citizen or a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
  • Be potentially available to begin supporting an authorized assignment within approximately 20 days, subject to final scheduling.
  • Be willing and able to travel internationally when an assignment requires it.
  • Identify any country, customer, travel, employment, confidentiality, intellectual-property, export-control or conflict-of-interest restrictions.
  • Be able to perform without using or disclosing proprietary or controlled information belonging to another employer or client.
  • Authorize Axyde to tailor and reformat the submitted résumé without materially changing the applicant's qualifications.

Contingent Nature of the Opportunity
This announcement supports proposal and contingent-workforce planning. It does not guarantee employment, contract award, minimum hours or a specific assignment. Any engagement will remain subject to contract award, assignment requirements, final role alignment, eligibility, availability, mutually acceptable compensation and execution of appropriate engagement documentation.
Application Instructions
Submit a résumé specifically tailored to rare-earth separation and refining. Include a short statement identifying:
  1. Your strongest rare-earth separation subspecialty.
  2. The rare-earth feedstocks and products with which you have worked.
  3. Two directly relevant projects and your personal technical contribution.
  4. The testing or operating scale achieved.
  5. Your current location.
  6. Your U.S.-citizen or lawful-permanent-resident status.
  7. Your international-travel availability.
  8. Your anticipated hourly rate or fixed-work-package preference.

Applicants who cannot demonstrate direct depth separating mixed rare-earth feedstocks into individual or grouped high-purity products should not apply to GCM-6.