5.1. Principal Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
Phoenix Tailings
Burlington, MA, USA
Posted on Jan 26, 2025
About Phoenix Tailings
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy.
Why Phoenix Tailings
At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
Our Values:
● You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong
● Lead with Compassion
● Be Resourceful
● Listen
● Hustle
Who We Are Looking For:
Phoenix Tailings is seeking an experienced Principal Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and optimization of controls and instrumentation systems for our sustainable rare earth metals production processes. This role requires deep technical expertise in both control systems and instrumentation, particularly in chemical and high-temperature process environments, as well as the ability to mentor and guide a multidisciplinary team of engineers.
As a Principal Engineer, you will oversee the specification, installation, maintenance, and upgrading of instruments and controls that enable the efficient and safe operation of our processes. Candidates with specialized expertise in instrumentation for chemical processes are highly encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the selection, specification, and design of instrumentation systems, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and compatibility with chemical and high-temperature processes such as molten salt electrolysis and solvent extraction.
- Oversee the design and optimization of control systems, including PLC programming (Allen-Bradley preferred) and HMI/SCADA platforms (Ignition), to ensure robust process automation and monitoring.
- Manage the installation, calibration, and maintenance of instrumentation and control systems to ensure optimal performance and compliance with operational standards.
- Identify and implement upgrades to instrumentation and controls, improving system efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
- Provide expert guidance on instrumentation strategies and control systems design, ensuring alignment with process requirements and organizational goals.
- Lead and mentor engineers, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing culture.
- Partner with R&D, process engineering, and operations teams to ensure seamless integration of instruments and controls into production workflows.
- Direct and oversee complex instrumentation and controls projects, ensuring timely delivery within budget and aligned with strategic objectives.
- Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks associated with instrumentation and control systems, ensuring process safety and reliability.
- Direct and oversee complex instrumentation and controls projects, ensuring timely delivery within budget and aligned with strategic objectives.
- Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks associated with instrumentation and control systems, ensuring process safety and reliability.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience designing and managing instrumentation and control systems in chemical, process, or high-temperature industrial environments.
- Advanced proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley preferred).
- Expertise in HMI/SCADA development, particularly Ignition.
- Strong background in specifying and managing complex instrumentation systems, including those for flow, pressure, temperature, and chemical analysis.
- Familiarity with process control strategies for chemical systems.
- Proficiency in CAD software for technical schematics and system design.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex instrumentation and controls challenges in dynamic environments.
- Strong ability to work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.
We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
- Healthcare, we care about you and your family: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
- Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families.
- Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.
- Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations.
- Learning: Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career.
- Great team: Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference!
- Flexible culture: We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day.
At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.
Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).
