Metallurgical Engineer Intern

This role requires U.S. Citizenship because of federal government funding obligations.   

Position overview:

Expectation: minimum 20 hours / week, in person - negotiable per semester/ quarter. Also open to summer internships.

Be part of something extraordinary. Seeking a Metallurgical Engineer intern to step into a fast-paced pilot plant environment. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with our R&D and Process Engineering teams to validate extraction processes, run pilot-scale campaigns, and troubleshoot real-world metallurgical challenges. You will be handling slurries, analyzing data, and helping refine the technology that will revolutionize heavy industry.

Compensation expectation: $25/hour

Key Responsibilities:

Pilot Plant Operations: Assist in the operation of bench and pilot-scale equipment, including leaching reactors, filter presses, crushers, and precipitation circuits.

Process Design: Create single and multi-stage lab scale setups for metal extraction and separation

Process Optimization: Run experiments to optimize recovery rates for Aluminum, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), and Gallium from coal ash feedstocks.

Data Analysis: Collect, log, and analyze process data (pH, temperature, flow rates, residence time) to support mass balance calculations and scale-up decisions.

Sample Characterization: Prepare samples for analysis (ICP, XRD, XRF) and interpret results to validate process efficiency.

Troubleshooting: Identify operational bottlenecks or mechanical issues in the hydrometallurgical circuit and propose practical engineering solutions.

Safety First: strictly adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding chemical handling (acids/bases) and personal protective equipment (PPE).