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Tailings Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Phoenix Tailings

9.5. R&D Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production ... Experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting laboratory equipment, test systems, sensors ...

Phoenix Tailings

4.4. Senior Production Engineer

Exeter, NH · On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... You'll work directly on the floor with operators, engineers, and plant leadership to turn ...

Phoenix Tailings

9.5. R&D Engineer

Woburn, MA

$90K - $110K/yr

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production ... Experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting laboratory equipment, test systems, sensors ...

Phoenix Tailings

4.6. Production Engineer I

Exeter, NH · On-site

About Phoenix Tailings Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production ... Work closely with shift leads and operators to ensure operational excellence * Support new process ...

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How much do tailings operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for tailings operator in the United States is $20.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Tailings Operator and how does this role contribute to overall site safety?

Tailings Operators are responsible for monitoring and managing the flow and storage of tailings—residual materials left after the extraction of minerals in mining operations. On a daily basis, they inspect pipelines, pumps, and containment areas, conduct sampling, log data, and ensure all equipment is functioning safely and efficiently. Their role is crucial to maintaining environmental compliance and site safety, as they proactively identify and address potential leaks or failures in the tailings management system. Collaboration with environmental engineers and other operations staff is common, ensuring that best practices are upheld and regulatory requirements are consistently met.

What are tailings operators?

Tailings operators are professionals responsible for managing and operating tailings storage facilities at mining sites. They oversee the safe handling, transportation, and disposal of tailings, which are the waste materials left after the extraction of minerals. Their work includes monitoring equipment, inspecting containment structures, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations, and responding to emergencies. Tailings operators play a critical role in minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring the safety of mine operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tailings Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tailings Operator, you need a solid understanding of mining operations, environmental regulations, and tailings management processes, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant technical training. Familiarity with heavy equipment, tailings monitoring systems, and safety certifications such as MSHA or WHMIS is typically required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible management of tailings storage facilities.

What is the difference between Tailings Operator vs Mine Technician?

AspectTailings OperatorMine Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety certificationsHigh school diploma, technical certifications
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, tailings pondsMining sites, processing facilities
Employer & IndustryMining companies, mineral processingMining companies, mineral extraction

While both roles work within the mining industry, a Tailings Operator primarily manages tailings ponds and processing operations, focusing on waste material handling. A Mine Technician supports various technical tasks on-site, including equipment maintenance and safety checks. The roles share similar certifications and work environments but differ in specific responsibilities and focus areas.

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What states have the most Tailings Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Tailings Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Tailings Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Tailings Operator jobs are:
Tailings Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tailings Operator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 4% As Needed, 3% Full Time, 11% Temporary, 43% Contract, and 38% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,738 per year, or $20.1 per hour.
2.1 Senior Process Engineer - Extraction

2.1 Senior Process Engineer - Extraction

Phoenix Tailings

Burlington, MA • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

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 required to power the technology of today and tomorrow. 
 
Why Phoenix Tailings 
At Phoenix, we're building more than technology-we're building the future supply chain for critical and rare earth metals. This work matters. It demands urgency, rigor, and creativity. You'll join a team that values ownership, technical excellence, and the courage to challenge legacy approaches to mining and metals production. 
 
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 looking for a Senior Process Engineer with deep experience scaling mining or metals processing operations from pilot or early commercial stages into reliable, high-throughput systems. In this role, you will own core process design decisions that directly impact recovery, throughput, operating cost, and system reliability. Your work will be foundational to Phoenix Tailings' transition from development-stage technology to full commercial operations-helping secure a domestic, clean supply of critical metals. 
 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead process design and scale-up of mining and metals operations from pilot to commercial production 
  • Own mass and energy balances across complex, multi-step processing flowsheets 
  • Define process architecture, operating envelopes, and design criteria to enable reliable, continuous operation 
  • Drive process optimization to increase throughput, recovery, and overall system efficiency 
  • Identify and mitigate scale-up risks related to materials handling, kinetics, residence time, and process control 
  • Support equipment sizing, selection, and specification for large-scale metals processing systems 
  • Develop and review process flow diagrams (PFDs), design bases, and technical documentation for internal and external stakeholders 
  • Partner with operations and leadership to support commissioning, ramp-up, and steady-state performance 
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related discipline 
  • 7+ years of experience in process engineering within mining, metals, or extractive industries 
  • Demonstrated experience scaling mineral processing or metallurgical systems from pilot or demonstration scale to commercial operation 
  • Strong command of mass balances, process modeling, and flowsheet development 
  • Experience with hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, or combined processing routes for metals production 
  • Proven ability to diagnose process bottlenecks and implement scalable, data-driven solutions 
  • Comfortable operating in fast-moving environments where process design and execution evolve rapidly 
We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:

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: $120,000- $160,000 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. 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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