Hydro-Metallurgical Engineer Job

An exciting position has become available for a Senior Process Engineer to join our Metals Business Unit in the Hydrometallurgy Practice. Become part of a global team of innovative and trusted professionals who provide process engineering input to different sectors within a consulting engineering firm and an EPCM environment.  

The Hydromet Senior Process Engineer will be part of an engineering team delivering engineering services and/or field support. The role will require the engineer to develop solutions in all areas of the process plant across various systems, unit operations, and process equipment. Specific tasks include the development of process engineering deliverables; solutions to infield problems; and involvement in the execution and commissioning of these solutions. The candidate should have 10+ years of experience in the process engineering / hydrometallurgy design environment across one or more of the following commodities: alumina, battery chemicals, copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium, phosphates, rare earths, uranium and precious metals, with strong, demonstrated skills in the following areas:  

• Unit process knowhow for leaching, solvent extraction, neutralization, crystallization, IX, dewatering, filtering, electrowinning, etc.; 

• Design, coordination and supervision of laboratory testwork;  

• Plant audits, surveys, sampling campaigns, and circuit optimization;  

• Mathematical modelling and simulations;  

• Operating costs estimation;  

• Writing technical reports and engineering documentation;  

• Mentoring of junior staff;  

• Process study leadership.  

Key Responsibilities:  

• Perform process engineering tasks on hydrometallurgical aspects of projects, in a variety of commodities. When requested, act as Lead Process Engineer on projects or studies.  

• Operate with full competence and independence in the execution of all design calculations, design criteria, in the compilation and execution of equipment lists and calculations. Develop new criteria / calculations when required, maintaining high levels of accuracy. Provide frequent training, guidance, and supervision to junior colleagues.  

• Actively engage with clients to understand project requirements;  

• Define process scope and technology selection;  

• Define process design criteria;  

• Define process block flow diagram and unit operations;  

• Compile process flow diagrams, along with associated mass and energy balance calculations;  

• Undertake trade-off studies to resolve options;  

• Identify, scope, and manage process testwork (on site or laboratory based);  

• Conduct capacity analysis for existing plants;  

• Select the equipment for projects;  

• Carryout engineering design calculations and equipment sizing calculations;  

• Prepare specifications of process attributes for equipment, through compilation of process data sheets (or process input to general datasheets);  

• Compile process description;  

• Design process control logic adhering to appropriate safety standards, and document it into functional descriptions;  

• Display full competence and independence in the compilation of P&IDs and on all levels of control philosophies;  

• Ensure process specifications portray the appropriate information and design intent;  

• Process review of equipment bids;  

• Liaise with other discipline engineers to ensure that designs conform to process requirements;  

• Contribute to hazard studies;  

• Compile operating cost estimates including estimation of consumables, labour, maintenance materials, and power;  

• Provide input to capital cost estimates;  

• Prepare well-written project reports;  

• Play a lead role in on-site commissioning of new equipment and process systems;  

• Participate in the preparation of proposals and other business development initiatives.  

Qualifications and Experience:  

• Process Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering degree;  

• Member of l’Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) or eligibility to become a member. 

• Extensive design, commissioning and/or operational experience of hydrometallurgical processing equipment;  

• Experience in scoping and management of metallurgical testwork programs (benchscale, pilot-scale, on-site testing);  

• Experience in mass and energy balance modelling of process systems;  

• Bilingual you have a strong client focus;  

• Ability to lead processing engineering tasks on a project, within the allocated budget and schedule, including mentoring and guidance of junior colleagues, and professional interaction with other project disciplines;  

• Experience mentoring colleagues. 

Behavioural Competencies:  

• Interpersonal and communication skills;  

• Proactive, shows initiative and leadership skills;  

• Able to prioritize multiple tasks and keep in balance multiple priorities / requests;  

• Ability to interact with clients / senior management;  

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills;  

• Able to work independently and travel to plant sites and metallurgical labs.