Research Engineer, Metallurgy
solcoa · Alameda, California, United States · onsite
MAKING THE METALS POWERING THE WORLD
Solcoa is building the next generation of American metalmaking, starting with rare earths — the metals of power and motion. We've developed a new chemistry that converts rare earth oxides into high-purity metals — the materials inside every EV, fighter jet, wind turbine, and data center — cleaner, cheaper, and faster than any conventional process. Now we're scaling it to thousands of tonnes of annual production.
THE ROLE
Own difficult, first-principles R&D that unlocks rare-earth metal production at scale. You will design and execute high-temperature experiments, build and operate custom rigs, extract mechanisms from data, and translate lab breakthroughs into reproducible unit operations for our demo plant. This role is deeply technical and experimental.
- Pyrometallurgical research: calcination, vacuum/steam distillation, carbothermic/metallothermic reduction, smelting, refining.
- High-temperature electrochemistry: molten-salt/molten-oxide electrolysis, cell design, anode/cathode materials, current efficiency.
- Nuclear engineering research: molten-salt chemistries, materials compatibility, graphite/refractory behavior, high-T gas-cooled systems.
- Metal processing engineering: molten metal handling/casting, powder metallurgy (atomization, pressing, sintering), heat treatment.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Run bench/pilot experiments to quantify kinetics, transport, and equilibria.
- Build/operate furnace systems, vacuum/inert atmospheres, retorts/crucibles.
- Develop and validate PFD-level experimental flows; compute mass/energy balances; establish operating envelopes.
- Apply thermochemical modeling (CALPHAD/Thermo-Calc/FactSage/HSC) and phase diagrams to guide conditions and materials.
- Characterize feed and products using ICP-MS/OES, XRD, SEM/EDS, and LECO O/N/H; close element balances.
- Author rigorous documentation: SOPs, test plans, hazards analyses, data packages; present results with statistical confidence.
- Collaborate with machinists/technicians to fabricate fixtures; specify sensors, heaters, seals, and vacuum hardware.
- Enforce safety for molten metals, reactive powders, hot work, compressed gases, and magnetized materials.
WHAT YOU BRING
REQUIRED
- Typically 3+ years (flexible) as a research engineer/assistant or PhD-level researcher with demonstrated research achievements (papers, patents, prototypes).
- Depth in at least one focus area above; strong foundation in thermodynamics, transport, reaction kinetics, and materials.
- Proven ability to build experimental setups, write/control test scripts, and produce decision-grade data.
- Hands-on with furnaces, vacuum/inert gas systems, gloveboxes, and high-T instrumentation; meticulous lab discipline.
- Data fluency (Python/MATLAB, spreadsheets); uncertainty analysis; clear, technical writing.
PREFERRED
- Experience with rare-earth chemistry/metallurgy (Nd, Dy, Tb), chloride/fluoride molten salts, and contamination control.
- Corrosion/materials compatibility at high temperature; selection of refractories and crucible/alloy systems.
- Basic CAD (Fusion/SolidWorks) for fixtures; simple FEA/thermal modeling; familiarity with HAZOP/MOC culture.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Competitive base salary.
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance.
- Company-provided lunch daily.
- Visa sponsorship available if needed.