Production Engineer

Job Description
Positioned at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and critical resource recovery, pH7 Technologies is tackling urgent global challenges in mining and metal recycling by providing innovative closed-loop metal extraction processes. We are a dynamic, fast-paced company driven by a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our team is committed to attracting and retaining top, diverse talent who share our vision of building a better, cleaner planet.
Job Summary
The Production Engineer is responsible for leading and optimizing day-to-day production activities within a hydrometallurgical metal recycling facility. Reporting to the General Manager, this senior technical role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operation of leaching, solvent extraction, filtration, electrowinning, and associated process systems.
The Production Engineer provides technical leadership to operations personnel, drives process improvements, troubleshoots complex metallurgical and operational challenges, and supports the achievement of production, recovery, quality, cost, safety, and environmental objectives. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in hydrometallurgy, metal recovery, chemical processing, and industrial manufacturing environments.
What You’ll Do
Production Management
Support and optimize daily plant operations to achieve production targets while maintaining product quality specifications.
Develop dashboards and monitor key process indicators, recovery metrics, throughput, reagent consumption, and equipment performance.
Identify production bottlenecks and implement technical solutions to improve plant efficiency.
Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, R&D, and HSE teams to ensure smooth plant performance.
Provide technical decision-making support during abnormal operating conditions and plant upsets.
Process Optimization
Lead process improvement initiatives focused on metal recovery, throughput, yield, and operating cost reduction.
Analyze production data and develop strategies to improve process control and stability.
Conduct mass balance and metallurgical accounting assessments.
Optimize hydrometallurgical unit operations including:
Leaching
Solid-liquid separation
Ion exchange
Electrowinning
Refining and product finishing
Evaluate and implement new technologies and process innovations.
Technical Leadership
Serve as the senior process engineering resource for the facility.
Mentor and develop junior engineers, metallurgists, and operations personnel.
Develop operating procedures, process standards, and technical documentation.
Lead root-cause investigations and corrective action programs.
Provide technical input into plant expansion, debottlenecking, and capital improvement projects.
Safety and Environmental Stewardship
Promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership and adherence to company standards.
Ensure production activities comply with all environmental permits and regulatory requirements.
Participate in process hazard analyses (PHA), HAZOP studies, risk assessments, and management of change (MOC) processes.
Support incident investigations and implementation of preventive measures.
Drive initiatives related to waste minimization, emissions reduction, and sustainability.
Project Management
Lead and support capital and operational improvement projects from concept through commissioning.
Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and technical specifications.
Coordinate contractors, vendors, and engineering service providers.
Manage plant trials, process testing, and commissioning activities.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
Prepare production and technical reports for management.
Monitor key operational metrics including:
Recovery efficiency
Throughput
Reagent consumption
Equipment utilization
Operating costs
Environmental performance
Present recommendations and improvement plans to site leadership.
What You’ll Need
Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline.
15+ years of progressive experience in hydrometallurgy, chemical processing, mining, metal refining, or metal recycling operations.
Significant experience operating and optimizing industrial-scale hydrometallurgical processes.
Demonstrated experience in production support within continuous processing facilities.
Proven track record of delivering operational improvements and recovery enhancements.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and technical improvement initiatives.
Strong knowledge of:
Hydrometallurgical processing fundamentals
Precious metal, battery metal, base metal, or specialty metal recovery processes
Chemical process control systems
Metallurgical accounting and mass balancing
Statistical process analysis
Process simulation and optimization
Industrial water treatment systems
Waste management and environmental compliance
Asset reliability and operational excellence methodologies
Experience with:
Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
SCADA systems
Data analytics and process monitoring software
Microsoft Office Suite and industrial reporting tools
Leadership Competencies
Strong technical and operational leadership.
Effective problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Results-oriented approach with a focus on continuous improvement.
Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
How You’ll Stand Out
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or eligibility.
Preferred Industry Background
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following industries are strongly preferred:
Precious metals refining (PGM, gold, silver)
Battery recycling and critical minerals recovery
Base metals hydrometallurgy
Electronic waste recycling
Chemical processing
Mining and metallurgical operations
Resource recovery and circular economy facilities
Success Measures
The Production Engineer will be evaluated on:
Safety performance
Production target achievement
Metal recovery and yield improvements
Cost reduction initiatives
Process stability and reliability
Environmental compliance
Project delivery performance
Workforce development and technical leadership
Working Hours & Environment
This is a full-time, on-site role at pH7 Technologies' facility in South Burnaby, BC, reporting to the General Manager. Core hours follow the standard plant operating schedule,

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No