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Tailings Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... This engineer will lead the design, testing, and deployment of electrical power and instrumentation ...

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... This engineer will lead the design, testing, and deployment of electrical power and instrumentation ...

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Tailings Engineer information

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$33K

$89.2K

$142K

How much do tailings engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for tailings engineer in the United States is $89,183.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Tailings Engineer job?

A Tailings Engineer is responsible for the design, management, and monitoring of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) to ensure safety, environmental compliance, and operational efficiency. They assess geotechnical stability, water balance, and potential environmental impacts while working closely with mine operations, geologists, and environmental teams. Their role includes developing tailings management plans, conducting risk assessments, and implementing best practices for sustainable waste disposal.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Tailings Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tailings Engineer, you need a strong background in civil, geotechnical, or mining engineering, typically with a relevant degree and experience in mine waste management. Familiarity with engineering design software (such as AutoCAD, GeoStudio, or FLAC), knowledge of regulatory guidelines, and, in some regions, professional engineering certification are highly valued. Exceptional problem-solving, project management, and effective communication skills are essential for overseeing projects and engaging with multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are crucial to ensure the safe, environmentally responsible management of tailings facilities and regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by Tailings Engineers in their day-to-day work?

Tailings Engineers frequently deal with the complexities of designing and maintaining safe tailings storage facilities while ensuring compliance with evolving environmental and safety regulations. They often need to address unexpected issues such as changes in weather, geotechnical instability, or rapid operational expansions, requiring quick problem-solving and adaptive thinking. Coordinating with mining operations, environmental specialists, and regulators adds another layer of complexity to project management. Despite these challenges, the role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on environmental stewardship and workplace safety in the mining industry.
What cities are hiring for Tailings Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Tailings Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Tailings Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Tailings Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Tailings Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Tailings Engineer jobs include:
8.2. Principal Production Engineer -Burlington

8.2. Principal Production Engineer -Burlington

Phoenix Tailings

Burlington, MA

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

About Phoenix Tailings 
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy.  
 
Why Phoenix Tailings 
At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.  
 
Our Values:  
You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong
Lead with Compassion
Be Resourceful
Listen
Hustle
 
Who We Are Looking For: 
Phoenix Tailings is seeking a visionary Principal Production Engineer to take ownership of the scale-up and technical leadership of our pilot production systems. In this strategic role, you will serve as the technical authority on clean metals production systems, lead critical process development efforts, and directly influence how lab-scale innovations are transformed into commercial-scale operations. You will work cross-functionally with R&D, Engineering, and Operations, and have significant influence on the buildout of Phoenix Tailings’ next-generation critical metals infrastructure. Your contributions will directly accelerate our path toward a scalable, fully clean metals production platform.
 
This pay range reflects the expected compensation for this role and may vary based on experience and qualifications.
 
Salary Range: $140,000-$180,000
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design, deployment, and optimization of pilot-scale production processes for rare earth and critical metals
  • Drive process scale-up strategies from R&D proof-of-concept through full pilot validation and production integration
  • Serve as the primary technical owner of high-impact production systems, with deep understanding of process inputs, outputs, and constraints
  • Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in throughput, quality, reliability, and equipment performance
  • Apply advanced mechanical or chemical engineering principles to optimize process efficiency, safety, and scalability
  • Translate experimental data into actionable engineering decisions and long-term production solutions
  • Develop and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including process flow diagrams, equipment specs, and SOPs
  • Provide technical mentorship to other engineers and foster a culture of excellence in production and process engineering
  • Partner with leadership to define capital plans, facility upgrades, and infrastructure expansion based on process needs
  • Ensure strict adherence to safety, quality, and environmental standards as systems scale
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline (Master’s or PhD preferred)
  • 7–10+ years of experience in process engineering, pilot-scale production, or advanced manufacturing
  • Proven track record leading the scale-up of complex mechanical or chemical processes from benchtop to pilot and beyond
  • Deep knowledge of production system design, operations, and process optimization in high-complexity environments
  • Experience with critical metals, high-temperature systems, electrochemical, or chemical processing preferred
  • Hands-on expertise with industrial equipment, instrumentation, process controls, and safety systems
  • Exceptional analytical, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
  • Passion for clean technology, sustainable manufacturing, and solving big industrial challenges
We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
  • Healthcare, we care about you and your family: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage 
  • Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company. 
  • Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families. 
  • Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world. 
  • Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations. 
  • Learning: Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career. 
  • Great team: Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference! 
  • Flexible culture: We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day. 
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. 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.