Berkner Group
Final title dependent on core technical strengths
Location:
Boulder, CO
Reports To:
VP of R&D
About the Company Our client is a company reimagining mineral extraction through advanced biochemistry to drive the energy transition and strengthen national security. Their platform uses custom-designed proteins to selectively recover high-purity rare earth elements and other critical materials, offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional mining. By targeting specific elements in complex mixtures—even at low concentrations—they are unlocking new sources of essential inputs for clean energy, electronics, EVs, and defense technologies.
Role Summary The Head of Process Engineering will be a strategic thinker with operational discipline. They will be responsible for developing, scaling, and optimizing column separation processes for rare earth element recovery. This role centers on the chemistry and performance of functionalized resins, the engineering of scalable column systems, and the application of advanced separation science to industrial-scale challenges. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in chemical separations, resin design, and durability, and have a proven track record of translating lab-scale process flows into robust pilot-ready systems.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the selection, design, and optimization of functionalized resins
Evaluate bioconjugation and adsorbent chemistry (ie resin, linker and protein) interaction dynamics (adsorption, desorption, kinetics, breakthrough behavior) under varying pH, ionic strength, and contaminant loads.
Oversee long-term stability testing, regeneration protocols, and fouling resistance for sustained industrial use.
Process Development: Hydrometallurgy and Column Separation
Direct the development of hydrometallurgical workflows that integrate upstream leaching and solids removal with column separations into downstream recovery operations.
Direct the development of downstream recovery unit operations, including dewatering and calcination to produce high purity rare earth oxides.
Engineer scalable column-based systems that will translate to continuous operation, multi-column designs (simulated moving bed) that derisk pilot scale workflows.
Integrate off-line and real-time analytical tools (e.g., ICP-OES, UV-vis, pH, conductivity) to monitor separation efficiency and metal recovery.
Process Scale-Up & Commercial Readiness
Design and validate operational protocols (e.g., column packing, cycle times, elution profiles) for separations under industrial conditions.
Drive process scale-up from bench-scale columns to pilot and full industrial operations, focusing on flow dynamics, pressure drops, resin loading, and system robustness.
Partner with the Pilot Engineering Team to specify and commission large-scale equipment, including pumps, skids, instrumentation, and automated control systems.
Cross-Functional Execution & Systems Integration
Collaborate closely with consultants and experts in upstream (bioleaching, pretreatment) and downstream teams (dewatering, calcination) to ensure process interoperability.
Work with automation and data science teams to implement sensor-driven control strategies, closed-loop feedback systems, and predictive analytics for process control.
Support pilot deployments and field implementation in dynamic mining or resource recovery environments.
Leadership & Team Building
Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of chemical and process engineers, chemists, and material science technical experts
Foster a culture of technical rigor, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
Align the team’s work with corporate objectives related to cost, throughput, selectivity, and sustainability.
Budget Management & External Collaboration
Manage capital and operating budgets for resin procurement, pilot plant operations, and equipment integration.
Lead technical engagements with resin suppliers, OEMs, and external research collaborators to access emerging technologies and accelerate innovation.
Qualifications Education & Experience
Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemical Engineering
7 –12+ years of experience in process development, bioconjugation, resin chemistry, and/or column separations
Demonstrated success scaling chemical separation processes from lab to pilot
Core Competencies
Ability to oversee processes involving resin and linker chemistry (ion exchange, chelation, hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions).
Ability to oversee hydrometallurgical flowsheets, including solid-liquid separation, leaching, and solvent exchange.
Proven experience overseeing professionals with expertise in process modeling, chemical kinetics, and adsorption isotherms.
Leadership Skills
Operational discipline and a track record of delivering results in R&D-to-commercial transitions.
Experienced in building high-performance technical teams and mentoring scientific and engineering staff.
Strong communication skills; able to represent company interests in technical discussions, partner meetings, and conferences.
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Location:
Boulder, CO
Reports To:
VP of R&D
About the Company Our client is a company reimagining mineral extraction through advanced biochemistry to drive the energy transition and strengthen national security. Their platform uses custom-designed proteins to selectively recover high-purity rare earth elements and other critical materials, offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional mining. By targeting specific elements in complex mixtures—even at low concentrations—they are unlocking new sources of essential inputs for clean energy, electronics, EVs, and defense technologies.
Role Summary The Head of Process Engineering will be a strategic thinker with operational discipline. They will be responsible for developing, scaling, and optimizing column separation processes for rare earth element recovery. This role centers on the chemistry and performance of functionalized resins, the engineering of scalable column systems, and the application of advanced separation science to industrial-scale challenges. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in chemical separations, resin design, and durability, and have a proven track record of translating lab-scale process flows into robust pilot-ready systems.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the selection, design, and optimization of functionalized resins
Evaluate bioconjugation and adsorbent chemistry (ie resin, linker and protein) interaction dynamics (adsorption, desorption, kinetics, breakthrough behavior) under varying pH, ionic strength, and contaminant loads.
Oversee long-term stability testing, regeneration protocols, and fouling resistance for sustained industrial use.
Process Development: Hydrometallurgy and Column Separation
Direct the development of hydrometallurgical workflows that integrate upstream leaching and solids removal with column separations into downstream recovery operations.
Direct the development of downstream recovery unit operations, including dewatering and calcination to produce high purity rare earth oxides.
Engineer scalable column-based systems that will translate to continuous operation, multi-column designs (simulated moving bed) that derisk pilot scale workflows.
Integrate off-line and real-time analytical tools (e.g., ICP-OES, UV-vis, pH, conductivity) to monitor separation efficiency and metal recovery.
Process Scale-Up & Commercial Readiness
Design and validate operational protocols (e.g., column packing, cycle times, elution profiles) for separations under industrial conditions.
Drive process scale-up from bench-scale columns to pilot and full industrial operations, focusing on flow dynamics, pressure drops, resin loading, and system robustness.
Partner with the Pilot Engineering Team to specify and commission large-scale equipment, including pumps, skids, instrumentation, and automated control systems.
Cross-Functional Execution & Systems Integration
Collaborate closely with consultants and experts in upstream (bioleaching, pretreatment) and downstream teams (dewatering, calcination) to ensure process interoperability.
Work with automation and data science teams to implement sensor-driven control strategies, closed-loop feedback systems, and predictive analytics for process control.
Support pilot deployments and field implementation in dynamic mining or resource recovery environments.
Leadership & Team Building
Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of chemical and process engineers, chemists, and material science technical experts
Foster a culture of technical rigor, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
Align the team’s work with corporate objectives related to cost, throughput, selectivity, and sustainability.
Budget Management & External Collaboration
Manage capital and operating budgets for resin procurement, pilot plant operations, and equipment integration.
Lead technical engagements with resin suppliers, OEMs, and external research collaborators to access emerging technologies and accelerate innovation.
Qualifications Education & Experience
Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemical Engineering
7 –12+ years of experience in process development, bioconjugation, resin chemistry, and/or column separations
Demonstrated success scaling chemical separation processes from lab to pilot
Core Competencies
Ability to oversee processes involving resin and linker chemistry (ion exchange, chelation, hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions).
Ability to oversee hydrometallurgical flowsheets, including solid-liquid separation, leaching, and solvent exchange.
Proven experience overseeing professionals with expertise in process modeling, chemical kinetics, and adsorption isotherms.
Leadership Skills
Operational discipline and a track record of delivering results in R&D-to-commercial transitions.
Experienced in building high-performance technical teams and mentoring scientific and engineering staff.
Strong communication skills; able to represent company interests in technical discussions, partner meetings, and conferences.
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