Senior Process Engineer

The Company

Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.8 billion in revenue and 13,700 employees in 54 countries in 2023. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.

The Position

Job Summary

Purpose

The purpose of the role is to lead the development and scale-up of novel process technologies for extracting lithium from micaceous granites. The role is responsible for the successful integration of refinery hydrometallurgical process technologies into the process design for the British Lithium Project.

This will involve leading dialogue with external parties, design engineers, and project stakeholders in defining, specifying and de-risking the process technology that will deliver lithium carbonate product to the market.

A key aspect of this role will be to lead the successful scale-up and derisking of the lithium carbonate refinery process technologies and operating conditions through to commercial implementation.

Primary Responsibilities

Process Technology Expertise: Act as the subject matter expert for hydrometallurgical processing technologies, providing input on business decisions at the executive level, and preparing compelling and data-driven reports and presentations for directors and senior stakeholders.
Scale-Up & De-Risking Leadership: Oversee and execute scale-up activities within the refinery team, including the planning, organization, and management of work programs. Lead the development and execution of test work plans for bench scale studies, pilot scale trials, and third-party test work to de-risk processes.
Process Development & Data Management: Drive the creation of analytical and process data to build robust knowledge of hydrometallurgical processing operations. Foster a culture of innovation and intellectual property development, ensuring that process knowledge is captured and secured.
Bench & Pilot Scale Oversight: Lead the delivery of refinery bench scale and pilot scale test work, ensuring data integrity and developing a strong understanding of hydrometallurgical processes. Maintain detailed metallurgical balances and interpret bench-scale and pilot plant data for process optimization.
Plant Optimization & Troubleshooting: Optimize pilot plant operations, providing technical guidance, and troubleshooting any refinery process issues. Collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to solve equipment-related challenges and ensure operational efficiency.
Commercial Process Design Support: Act as the key interface between the EPCM contractor and the client's Owner’s Team for the hydrometallurgical refinery section, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration. Work closely with internal teams and third-party suppliers to contribute to the design of the commercial hydrometallurgical process. Support the establishment of full-scale project process design criteria based on pilot plant results, ensuring alignment between project execution and client expectations.
Capital Projects & Improvement Initiatives: Lead the preparation of capital requests for process improvement projects. Manage the execution of these projects within the pilot plant, working closely with internal resources and third-party technology providers to implement solutions.
Engineering Review & Input: Review and validate engineering deliverables related to the design of the commercial plant, ensuring alignment with pilot and bench scale data. Provide technical input on engineering design packages, equipment specifications, plant layouts, risk assessments, permits, procurement, and commissioning.
Technical Risk Management: Own the technical risk management strategy for the process design. Maintain the detailed risk register, specify and execute necessary trials, and incorporate results into the process design to mitigate risks.
Technical Reporting & Documentation: Prepare detailed technical reports and summaries for key project phases. Provide technical memoranda, presentations, and reports for senior management review, ensuring clarity and thorough documentation of process findings and project progress.

Position Type

Full time

and

Permanent

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recruiting.support@ imerys.com

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IMERYS is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.