Senior Process Development Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

About Magrathea

Based in Oakland, California, Magrathea is a global category leader in critical mineral production technology. Our mission is to rebuild the magnesium metal supply base, delivering secure access to one of the most critical materials on Earth. Magnesium is essential to the aluminum, steel, titanium, nuclear, defense, and aerospace industries but 95% of global supply comes from China where large amounts of coal are used to make metal. This isn't just an economic risk: it's a national security threat, and Magrathea is fixing it. We've developed a next-generation electrolytic process to make magnesium metal from seawater and brines, unlocking a new path to industrial independence and to a cleaner environment for future generations. We're backed by the earliest believers in Tesla and SpaceX, major European industrial families, and the U.S. Department of Defense. If you're ready to make a lasting real-world impact, let's talk.

Is Magrathea For Me?

You'll be joining a small, high-trust team of builders on a mission to stand up the first major electrolytic magnesium smelter this century. We're doing it this decade. There are no pointless positions here, no layers of middle management, no meetings about meetings: just a deep focus on moving important work forward. You'll be hands-on from day one, shaping the core of a technology that will have major impacts on national security, clean technology, and industrial resilience. If you're the kind of person who is energized by hard, consequential problems, stays clear, calm, and effective when the work is ambiguous or urgent, and wants to build something that will matter far beyond the company, this role is for you.

About the Role

Magrathea is seeking a highly capable, hands-on Senior Process Engineer to support the development, operation, and scale-up of our revolutionary electrolytic process technology. The role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced R&D environment and combines strong mechanical, electrical, fabrication, and process troubleshooting skills with a practical, solutions-oriented mindset.  The successful candidate will play a critical role in designing, building, operating, and improving pilot-scale systems, and transferring the knowledge gained to Magrathea's demonstration plant in Southwest Arkansas.

This position requires creativity, initiative, sound technical judgment, strong operational problem-solving skills, and clear communication across pilot plant, laboratory, and demonstration plant environments.

What You'll Do

• Utilize piloting expertise to propose equipment/process innovations to execute development experiments at the demonstration plant.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and optimize demo-scale electrolytic and high-temperature processing equipment.
• Documenting pilot operational learnings for transfer to demonstration scale engineering and operations.
• Travel to Arkansas to support commissioning, startup, and operational activities at Magrathea's demonstration plant.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and process related issues.
• Fabricate and modify custom equipment using cutting, grinding, welding, drilling, and tapping tools.
• Design and modify piping, plumbing, electrical, and instrumentation systems.
• Support PLC controls, sensor integration, wiring, and data logging systems.
• Repair and perform preventative maintenance on pilot plant and laboratory equipment.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, operational logs, and communicate learnings and observations.
• Run pre-established analytical methods to analyze samples from pilot or demonstration plant experiments.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and technicians to improve processes and scale emerging technologies.
• Manage raw materials, process samples, and consumables while maintaining accuracy and traceability.
• Work safely in industrial and laboratory environments using appropriate PPE, including extended use of full-face respirators and aluminized protective equipment for high temperature and molten material operations.

What You Bring

• Strong mechanical and electrical diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand the entirety of a complex chemical flowsheet and the effects upstream results have on downstream unit operations.
• Experience operating and maintaining industrial or pilot processing equipment. Bonus if you have experience with high temperature equipment or molten materials.
• Comfortable working in physically demanding industrial environments involving high temperatures, molten materials, specialized PPE, and extended periods on foot.
• Hands-on fabrication experience and comfort working with tools and machinery.
• Familiarity with PLC systems, instrumentation, sensors, or industrial controls.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and P&IDs to support equipment operation, maintenance, and system modifications.
• Experience using AI tools to accelerate technical documentation, data review, root cause analysis, and knowledge transfer.
• Strong communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Capable of training others in best practices and transferring process/operational knowledge.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced process development environments.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and chemical handling practices.
• Willingness to travel between pilot and demonstration-scale facilities in Oakland and Stamps, Arkansas, respectively, for up to 2 weeks per month.

Compensation & Benefits

• $150,000-$190,000 annual salary + significant equity and milestone-based incentives
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision
• 401(k) with immediate eligibility
• True leadership opportunities on a program with global impact

A Note on Qualifications

Research shows that some candidates are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. We do not want that to stop the right person from reaching out. If you are excited by Magrathea's mission and believe you can succeed in a hands-on, high-ownership role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every requirement.

Join Us

If you're looking for the most challenging, consequential, and meaningful engineering work of your career - this is the moment. Help us build the clean industrial base future generations will inherit. Help us restore independence to a security-critical strategic metal. Make history with us.