Senior Process Development Engineer
Mangrove Lithium
Mangrove Lithium, a Vancouver based company, has developed a breakthrough platform for the most cost-effective production of battery grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate from diverse input streams and assets. Mangrove’s modular solution can be scaled to any capacity and co-located with upstream lithium producers or cathode and cell manufacturers. The platform technology is being commercialized for the conversion of waste brines to chemicals and desalinated water. The company recently attracted funding through Breakthrough Energy, BMW i Ventures, and BDC Capital and is working towards the deployment of a first-of-a-kind commercial plant.
Position
Mangrove is seeking a highly skilled Senior Process Development Engineer (specializing in Mineral Processing) to join our dynamic Technology Development team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in chemical and mineral processing, particularly with spodumene, lithium brine pretreatment, crystallization, leaching, and separation processes. In this critical role, you will contribute to the design, scaling up, optimization, and operation of chemical processing systems, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The successful candidate will bring a strong technical background and entrepreneurial mindset to drive innovation. This position offers significant growth opportunities in the rapidly expanding lithium-ion battery sector, as well as a chance for career development in a highly motivated team.
Salary range for this position will be $100K - $150k depending on experience and skills.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design, development, and optimization of chemical processing circuits, focusing on spodumene and lithium extraction technologies such as leaching, precipitations, feed pretreatment, crystallization, and separation processes.
- Stay current with industry trends and contribute to R&D to advance lithium processing technologies and improve operational performance.
- Manage feasibility studies, lab and pilot tests, and process simulations to validate new techniques and optimize existing processes for better throughput, recovery, and efficiency.
- Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), P&IDs, and mass/energy balances to ensure optimal plant performance.
- Analyze process data to ensure compliance with production targets and environmental standards, providing actionable recommendations for process adjustments and improvements.
Required Education, Skills, and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mineral Processing Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field. A higher degree or additional certifications are considered an asset.
- At least 10 years of industrial experience in chemical/mineral processing, with specific expertise in spodumene and lithium extraction, and chemical separation processes.
- Strong background in process design, including chemical processes, hydrometallurgy, flotation, and separation techniques.
- Expertise in data analysis, including the use of statistical design of experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis for process optimization.
- Utilize advanced process simulation and modeling software to design, optimize, and troubleshoot chemical/mineral processing circuits, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness in operation
- Hands-on experience in R&D, pilot plants, and product development.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of taking a hands-on approach to process optimization.
Desirable Characteristics:
- P. Eng. certification.
- Advanced knowledge of lithium extraction and sustainable processing technologies.
- Experience managing a team of 5+ engineers and technicians
- High integrity, adaptability, and ability to work well under pressure.