About Still Bright

Still Bright is a seed-stage, deep-technology startup dedicated to solving the world's critical copper shortfall. The transition to a secure and sustainable economy depends on a massive expansion of copper supply, yet traditional extraction methods face significant environmental and permitting challenges.

Our proprietary hydrometallurgical process is designed to improve copper yields at currently producing mines as well as unlock vast, untapped copper and other co-located metal resources. As a closed-loop system, our technology offers precise control over all outputs, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing value.

Backed by top-tier investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Material Impact, our team is designing and executing its pilot and is preparing the next stages of commercial deployment.

We prioritize the well-being of our employees, customers, and communities, and work to create a positive impact on the world through our business practices. We especially encourage applicants from historically marginalized communities to join our mission of sustainable metals extraction.

Reports to: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Salary range: $162,000 - $183,000

Competitive Benefits

Position Summary

The Director of Hydrometallurgy is accountable for executing Still Bright’s hydrometallurgical strategy and delivering the experimental, technical, and team outcomes required for successful pilot operation, scale-up, and feedstock diversification. This role serves as the technical owner

of hydrometallurgical performance through integrated pilot execution, translating laboratory insight into reliable system-level operation and enabling the transition toward demonstration and commercial deployment.

Working in close alignment with the CTO, the Director independently drives execution, leads and develops a high-performing team, manages consultants and external partners, mitigates technical and operational risks, and ensures environmental and ethical responsibility. The Director defines operating envelopes, guides commissioning and troubleshooting, and makes data-driven decisions that determine pilot readiness and scale-up direction.

A successful individual brings deep industrial metallurgy experience combined with demonstrated success translating bench-scale innovation into pilot-scale reality, coordinating across electrochemistry, controls, and mine-site integration to deliver a functioning end-to-end system. Through strong ownership and delivery of major objectives, this role directly advances Still Bright’s mission to transform copper production.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with company leadership to design and execute hydrometallurgy research to achieve company objectives.
• Manage a team of highly qualified engineers in the scaling and validation of Still Bright’s integrated hydrometallurgical copper extraction process.
• Predict metallurgical and chemical challenges and opportunities for different feedstock opportunities as well as upstream and downstream mining processes.
• Act as a resident expert for the business and technical teams on all things copper processing, using this knowledge to help integrate Still Bright’s novel technology seamlessly with mining operations and typical processing considerations.
• Uphold excellence in experimentation plans, laboratory procedures and safety, and research records. Working mostly in-person will be required to ensure proper oversight of laboratory work, and some in-lab support may be needed.
• Lead technical readiness and execution of integrated pilot campaigns, including commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Define operating parameters, control strategies, and process stability criteria required for sustained pilot operation.
• Own go/no-go technical decisions related to pilot configuration, feedstock suitability, and scale-up risk.

Qualifications & Experience

Core Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in metallurgy, geology, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of industrial experience, including 1-2 years at the Director level or 3-4 years at the manager level, in process engineering within the mining or metallurgy industry.
• Excellent understanding of copper mineralogy and processing, especially hydrometallurgical methods and emerging technologies.
• Additional consideration granted for those with experience managing copper ore impurities like arsenic, bismuth, gold, etc.
• Strong understanding of mineral characterization, both traditional and emerging techniques.
• Fantastic research skills, keen sense for effective experimentation and analysis protocol.
• Sophisticated communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Some travel will be required for pilot testing.

Strongly Preferred Experience:

• Direct experience with pilot-plant or demonstration-scale metallurgical systems, including commissioning, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Proven track record translating bench-scale results into pilot-scale performance.
• Experience integrating multiple unit operations into a continuous or semi-continuous process.
• Familiarity with process controls, instrumentation, and real-time performance monitoring.
• Experience working at or alongside operating mine sites or industrial processing facilities.

Nice-to-Have:

• Leadership of a pilot campaign through sustained operation or scale-up decision milestones.
• Contribution to demo-plant design, studies, or commercial deployment readiness.

Experience Track for Director of Hydrometallurgy

• 1-2 years of experience at a Director level

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.