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Tailings Process Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Process Engineer

Elko, NV ยท On-site

$99K - $129K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Process Engineer for our Elko, NV ... tailings disposal systems, underground or surface mine infrastructure, material handling and ...

Lead Process Engineer

Elko, NV ยท On-site

$99K - $129K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Process Engineer for our Elko, NV ... tailings disposal systems, underground or surface mine infrastructure, material handling and ...

Director, Tailings

Greenwood Village, CO ยท On-site

$168K - $227K/yr

Website: www.anglogoldashanti.com The Director of Tailings Engineering provides global technical ... Partner with BU GMs and Process Managers on succession planning and talent management for tailings ...

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Tailings Process Engineer information

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$49.5K

$92K

$142.5K

How much do tailings process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for tailings process engineer in the United States is $92,018.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Tailings Process Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical, mining, or metallurgical engineering, often supported by a bachelor's degree and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with tailings management systems, process simulation software, and regulatory compliance frameworks is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help you address complex operational challenges and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible management of mining waste materials.

What does a Tailings Process Engineer do?

A Tailings Process Engineer is responsible for designing, managing, and optimizing the processes involved in handling and disposing of mining tailings, which are the materials left over after extracting valuable minerals. Their role includes ensuring the safe storage of tailings, minimizing environmental impact, and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations. They also develop and implement strategies to improve tailings management efficiency and sustainability, often working closely with environmental scientists and site managers.

What is the difference between Tailings Process Engineer vs Mining Process Engineer?

AspectTailings Process EngineerMining Process Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mining, Chemical, or Metallurgical Engineering; certifications in process safetyBachelor's in Mining, Chemical, or Metallurgical Engineering; certifications in process safety
Work EnvironmentDesigning and optimizing tailings storage and disposal facilities, often in remote mining sitesDeveloping and improving mineral processing methods at processing plants or sites
Employer & Industry UsageMining companies, environmental agencies, consulting firmsMining companies, mineral processing plants, consulting firms

Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, focusing on process design and safety. The main difference lies in their focus: Tailings Process Engineers specialize in managing waste disposal and tailings facilities, while Mining Process Engineers concentrate on mineral extraction and processing techniques.

What are some typical challenges faced by a Tailings Process Engineer, and how can they be addressed?

Tailings Process Engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining the safety and stability of tailings storage facilities while optimizing water recovery and minimizing environmental impact. They must stay current with evolving regulations and best practices, as well as coordinate closely with geotechnical, environmental, and operations teams to ensure compliance and efficiency. Effective communication, rigorous monitoring, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are key strategies for addressing these challenges and ensuring both operational success and environmental stewardship.
More about Tailings Process Engineer jobs
What states have the most Tailings Process Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Tailings Process Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Tailings Process Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Tailings Process Engineer jobs are:
2.4. Chemical Development Engineer II

2.4. Chemical Development Engineer II

Phoenix Tailings

Burlington, MA โ€ข On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 20 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 needed for the next generation of our economy. We are seeking a Junior Chemical Engineer to join our dynamic team and contribute to the design, development, and optimization of innovative critical metals production systems.
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Why Phoenix Tailings:
At Phoenix, 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.
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Our Values:
You are only crazy if you are wrong, it's ok to be wrong
Lead with Compassion
Be Resourceful
Listen
Hustle
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Who We Are Looking For:
Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Development Engineer II to help scale and refine our rare earth element (REE) extraction and metallization technologies. This role is core to accelerating our R&D and deployment of clean, economically viable processes that enable sustainable access to critical materials. As a key member of the technical development team, you'll have the opportunity to directly shape the future of critical metals infrastructure in the U.S. through deep technical experimentation and innovation.ย 
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This pay range reflects the expected compensation for this role and may vary based on experience and qualifications.
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Salary Range: $90,000- $130,000/year
Key Responsibilities:
  • Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments across the rare earth extraction and metallization process flowsheetย 
  • Build and validate process models including comprehensive mass and energy balancesย 
  • Optimize chloride leaching, dissolution, and filtration operations to improve efficiency and product qualityย 
  • Support the development of advanced separation techniques for REE purification and concentrationย 
  • Develop robust precipitation processes for conversion of rare earth chlorides into high-purity oxidesย 
  • Contribute to early-stage metallization process R&D for converting oxides into individual rare earth metalsย 
  • Analyze experimental data and use findings to drive iterative improvements to the processย 
  • Specify and evaluate equipment required for pilot and commercial-scale implementationย 
  • Document all research procedures, findings, and recommendations with technical precisionย 
  • Ensure all experiments and development efforts align with EH&S and sustainability standardsย 
Qualifications:
  • B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related disciplineย 
  • 3-6 years of hands-on experience in process development, hydrometallurgy, or chemical processingย 
  • Proficiency in designing experiments and interpreting data to solve complex technical challengesย 
  • Demonstrated expertise in solid-liquid separation, precipitation, and chemical extraction techniquesย 
  • Strong foundation in process engineering including mass and energy balance modelingย 
  • Experience with laboratory instrumentation and analytical tools (e.g., ICP-OES, XRD, SEM)ย 
  • Clear, structured technical writing skills for documentation and reportingย 
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative R&D environmentย 
  • Familiarity with rare earth chemistry and metallurgical challenges preferredย 
  • Experience with process simulation tools (e.g., HSC Chemistry, Aspen Plus) is a plusย 
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 packageย  may vary based on experience and qualifications.
Pay Range: $90,000- $130,000 total cash compensation plus equity
  • Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee
  • Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.ย 
  • Time Off: Unlimited PTO.ย 
  • Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.ย 
We offer a competitive compensation package based on expertise, including healthcare coverage (100% medical, dental, and vision), stock ownership, parental leave, flexible vacation policy, learning and development opportunities, and a great team culture that values making a difference and encourages results-focused work. At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning and growth, and we are looking for enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.
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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, genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics. 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 and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. 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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