Hydrometallurgist

WHO WE ARE

Kunin builds advanced separation technologies to unlock critical metals from resources no one touches today.

Metals are everywhere—in solar panels, smartphones, electric vehicles—but as ore grades plummet globally, traditional extraction methods are failing. China dominates critical minerals markets by developing superior separation technologies that extract value from materials American mines discard as waste.

The breakthrough lies in nanoscale separation that's mass manufacturable—the same leap lithium-ion batteries made from lab to global scale.

MISSION FOR YEAR 1

You will lead hydrometallurgical flowsheet development for critical mineral recovery across diverse process streams – focused on the integration of leaching, IX, SX, precipitation, crystallization, and electrowinning unit operations.

By the end of 2026, we expect:

· Two in-field pilots delivered, installed, and operating.

· Integrated mass balance, equilibria, and kinetics into a unified process model that drives dynamic cost and design choices.

WHAT YOU’LL LEAD

· Hydrometallurgical flowsheet development across leaching, solid–liquid separation, ion-exchange, solvent extraction, precipitation, crystallization, electrowinning, polishing, and effluent management

· Hands-on experimental programs in the headquarters laboratory to optimize kinetics, selectivity, throughput, purity, and regeneration chemistry

· Pilot test programs for hydrometallurgical unit operations to validate bench-scale results

· Process modeling, transport analysis, and cost modeling that convert equilibrium, mass transfer, and reaction rates into mass and energy balances and cost drivers

· Cross-functional alignment with the ion-exchange media team on resin and reagent choices and with the process controls development team on operating windows.

· Conduct due diligence on process technology vendor acquisitions.

· Lead engagement and joint-research collaboration with National Laboratories, Universities, & Corporate R&D teams.

· Scale flowsheets from pilot through to commercial deployment.

WHO YOU ARE

· Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy or Hydrometallurgy

· Hydrometallurgist with 3+ in flowsheet development and unit-operation optimization.

· Hands-on laboratory and pilot experience across leaching, solid–liquid separation, ion-exchange, solvent extraction, and precipitation; electrowinning and crystallization preferred.

· Process modeling and transport analyst using MetSim, HSC Chemistry, SysCAD, and Aspen Plus.

· Excited to work in an early-stage startup environment with high autonomy, opportunity, & expectations.

· Open to senior hire who would lead the hydromet team or intermediate/junior. Expected to roll their sleaves up on bench-scale & pilot test work regardless.

COMPENSATION

This role will pay $80,000 - $150,000, benefits, and equity.

Company facilities include gym, sauna, and ice bath.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

· Must be willing to relocate to Chattanooga, TN and available to travel to customers across the United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia for process technology installation and commissioning.

Chattanooga is more beautiful than expected, and Tennessee has no income tax.

· Flexibility for extended hours during critical project phases