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Hydrometallurgy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pennsylvania State University

Prior experience working in Hydrometallurgy and/or Mineral Processing. Knowledge of Process Mineralogy will be an advantage. BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require ...

Still Bright

Senior Scientist

Kenilworth, NJ · On-site

$120.60 - $147.40/hr

Minimum of 7 years of research and process‑development experience in hydrometallurgy, extractive metallurgy, or a related industrial discipline (or a Ph.D. plus equivalent experience). * Deep ...

Still Bright Inc

VP, Engineering

Kenilworth, NJ · On-site

$279K/yr

The Vice President of Engineering leads and manages the hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry departments. This role represents Still Bright externally to mining counterparties at the senior technical ...

ASARCO LLC

Senior Construction Manager

Mesa, AZ · On-site

Experience in metal mining operations, including familiarity with hydrometallurgy and concentrating processes. * Experience working within EPC/EPCM delivery models. * Demonstrated experience ...

Still Bright

Scientist III

Kenilworth, NJ · On-site

$112.50 - $137.50/hr

Minimum of 4 years of relevant research or process-development experience in hydrometallurgy, electrochemistry, extractive metallurgy, or a related laboratory/industrial discipline. * Strong ...

Medium

9.2. Scientific Chief of Staff

Exeter, NH · On-site

$165 - $215/hr

Hustle About the Role Our Technology and R&D organization - chemistry, hydrometallurgy, separations, analytical science, and the broader technology function - is led by our CTO. We're hiring a Chief ...

Phoenix Tailings

9.2. Scientific Chief of Staff

Woburn, MA · On-site

$165K - $215K/yr

Track dependencies across Deep R&D (chemistry, hydrometallurgy, separations, analytical) and the broader Technology function - you need to understand how the technical pieces come together well ...

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$48.5K

$101.8K

$165K

How much do hydrometallurgy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for hydrometallurgy in the United States is $101,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is hydrometallurgy?

A hydrometallurgy job involves extracting metals from ores, concentrates, or recycled materials using aqueous solutions. Professionals in this field design, optimize, and oversee processes such as leaching, solvent extraction, and precipitation to recover valuable metals like copper, gold, and rare earth elements. They work in mining, metallurgy, and recycling industries to improve efficiency and environmental sustainability. Hydrometallurgists collaborate with engineers, chemists, and operators to develop cost-effective and environmentally friendly metal recovery techniques.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in hydrometallurgy?

A typical day for a hydrometallurgy professional often involves conducting laboratory experiments or pilot plant tests, analyzing samples and process data, and optimizing extraction or purification methods. You can expect to collaborate closely with engineers, technicians, and environmental specialists to troubleshoot process challenges and implement improvements. The role may also include preparing technical reports, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards, and participating in project meetings. This dynamic environment offers opportunities to solve complex problems and make a significant impact on production efficiency and sustainability.

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

Excelling in hydrometallurgy requires a thorough understanding of chemical engineering, mineral processing, and metallurgical principles, usually supported by a degree in metallurgy, chemical engineering, or a related science. Familiarity with laboratory analysis tools, process simulation software, and knowledge of industry-specific safety and environmental regulations is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication skills help professionals thrive in this technical field. These competencies are crucial for ensuring efficient metal extraction processes, maintaining safety standards, and driving continuous improvement in metallurgical operations.

What does hydrometallurgy do?

Hydrometallurgy is a process used in the field of metallurgy to extract metals from ores and concentrates using aqueous solutions. It involves techniques such as leaching, solution purification, and metal recovery, often requiring chemical knowledge and specialized equipment. Professionals in this field work to improve efficiency and environmental safety in metal extraction operations.
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States with the most job openings for Hydrometallurgy jobs include:

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hydrometallurgy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hydrometallurgy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 91% Physical, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,794 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Lead Hydrometallurgy Engineer

Still Bright Inc

Kenilworth, NJ • On-site

$156K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Reports to: Director of Hydrometallurgy
Close collaboration with: CTO, Electrochemistry, R&D teams
Location: Kenilworth, NJ
Salary starts at: $156,000
Equity participation reflecting the scope and trust of the role
Competitive Benefits
Position Summary
Still Bright is bringing the first viable hydrometallurgical alternative to copper smelting to market at a moment when global copper demand is outpacing supply by historic margins. Our proprietary RACER (Rapid and Complete Electrochemical Reduction) process delivers fast, complete copper extraction while recovering precious and critical co-products, and as a closed-loop system it offers precise control over outputs and radically reduces environmental impact. Backed by top-tier investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Material Impact, the team is moving from pilot execution into the next stages of commercial deployment.
The Lead Hydrometallurgical Engineer owns the hydrometallurgical core of the RACER process and is accountable for the experimental and scale-up program that turns bench-scale chemistry into robust pilot- and demonstration-scale unit operations. This is a senior leadership role for an engineer who sets the technical direction across leaching, separation, electrochemical reduction, co-product recovery, and feedstock diversification-not just executing, but defining the strategy behind experimentation and system scale up, prioritizing the experimental roadmap, and owning the outcomes that feed go/no-go decisions and economic models.
Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Lead sets objectives in partnership with the Director of Hydrometallurgy and VP Engineering, then drives the work to completion with minimal oversight. The role carries direct responsibility for the technical standard of the team-experimental rigor, data quality, and process-design discipline-and for developing the engineers and technicians who execute alongside them. This is a hands-on leader, equally comfortable at the whiteboard, on the pilot system, and directing third-party engineering firms.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Ownership
  • Own the hydrometallurgical experimental program end to end-setting the roadmap for copper extraction, co-product recovery, feedstock diversification, and process integration, and prioritizing campaigns against company objectives.
  • Serve as the senior technical authority on unit-operation performance: leaching, separation, electrochemical reduction, and downstream recovery, including operating-envelope definition and troubleshooting.
  • Translate bench-scale results into scalable pilot- and demonstration-scale process designs, identifying risks early and developing mitigation strategies.
Process Design & Execution
  • Develop and maintain process flowsheets, mass and energy balances, and equipment specifications across pilot and demonstration scale.
  • Specify, source, and commission process equipment and instrumentation in partnership with the controls and pilot teams.
  • Lead characterization for copper and co-product recovery, including XRD, SEM, XRF, QEMSCAN, ICP-MS, and Fire Assay, with particular rigor for complex or impurity-bearing materials.
  • Direct external engineering firms and consultants executing testwork, ensuring outputs reflect the chemistry of our closed-loop system.
Cross-Functional & Decision Support
  • Analyze process data and deliver clear, well-documented technical reports that inform go/no-go decisions, economic models, and reports for government agencies.
  • Collaborate with the CTO, VP of Commercialization, and Director of Hydrometallurgy to ensure the hydromet program aligns with commercial and regulatory directives.
  • Mentor and develop junior engineers and technicians on experimental design, data analysis, and safe laboratory and pilot practice, setting the bar for technical quality across the team.
  • Maintain detailed documentation of research work, methods, and results; uphold laboratory and pilot safety standards. Some travel will be required for feedstock and pilot testing.

Definition of Success
In the first 12 months, success looks like: end-to-end ownership of the hydrometallurgical experimental program, with a prioritized roadmap driving the team's scale-up decisions; reliable, well-documented process data feeding economic models and regulatory reporting; a measurable contribution to the demonstration-unit process design; and visible development of the engineers and technicians on the team.
Qualifications & Experience
Expected Competencies
  • Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, metallurgical engineering, process engineering, or a related field; or a Master's/Ph.D. with commensurate experience.
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in process engineering, hydrometallurgy, or a related industrial discipline (or a Ph.D./Master's plus equivalent experience), including a track record of owning programs and leading technical work with limited oversight.
  • Proven experience in research design, execution, and analysis, including translating bench-scale results into pilot-scale performance.
  • Strong command of mass and energy balances, flowsheet development, and equipment specification.
  • Knowledge of relevant metals-extraction industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
Strongly Preferred Experience
  • Direct copper or base-metals hydrometallurgy experience, including with complex or impurity-bearing ores.
  • Hands-on pilot-plant or demonstration-scale experience, including commissioning and troubleshooting of non-laboratory equipment at scale.
  • Demonstrated expertise in solid, liquid, and gaseous phase characterization techniques (XRD, SEM, XRF, QEMSCAN, ICP-MS, Fire Assay).
  • Experience integrating multiple unit operations into a continuous or semi-continuous process.
  • Experience directing external engineering firms or managing third-party testwork.
  • Familiarity with process controls, instrumentation, and real-time performance monitoring.
Nice-to-Have
  • Experience with vanadium electrochemistry, sulfide leaching chemistry, or solvent extraction-electrowinning.
  • Exposure to a startup or scaling organization moving from founder-led operations to formal systems.
  • Spanish-language proficiency.

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position. Still Bright provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Still Bright complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Still Bright expressly prohibits and will never tolerate any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Still Bright especially encourages applicants from historically marginalized communities to join our mission of sustainable metals extraction.

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