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PHNX Materials is a critical-minerals refinery backed by the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of War, converting industrial waste (coal ash, zinc slag) into critical metals for semiconductors and defense, cement replacement, and fertilizer. The company addresses a strategic vulnerability: China controls 98% of global gallium, 92% of germanium, and 93% of silicon.
You will design and deploy electrical and automation systems as the company scales from bench to pilot to demonstration scale and beyond. This is a hands-on technical role working cross-functionally with R&D, process engineering, operations, and external partners.
Key responsibilities:
- Design and implement control systems including PLC programming, HMI development, instrumentation, and data acquisition
- Develop and validate safety interlocks, emergency stops, and safe shutdown sequences
- Scope electrical power requirements and specify power distribution, control panels, motor controls, and equipment
- Translate R&D and process engineering requirements into control narratives, electrical drawings, and equipment specifications
- Perform hands-on wiring, equipment connections, and lead commissioning and troubleshooting
- Conduct instrument calibration, loop checks, and verification of safety functions
You will own control system development from design through validation and deployment, working directly with equipment in a rapidly evolving startup environment.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or industrial automation, ideally in chemical processing or similarly demanding industrial environments
- Hands-on electrical wiring experience required: cable splicing and termination, outlet installation, equipment connections; experience with both low- and high-voltage systems preferred
- Hands-on experience designing, programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting PLC- and HMI-based control systems
- Strong foundation in industrial electrical systems: three-phase power, load calculations, power distribution, motor controls, electrical protection
- Experience developing safety interlocks and shutdown systems with understanding of functional safety principles and distinction between process controls and safety functions
- Proficiency in specifying process instrumentation and implementing control loops for temperature, pressure, flow, level, and other critical parameters
- Strong ability to read, interpret, and draft electrical schematics; experience developing panel layouts, P&IDs, control narratives, and I/O lists
- Ideally, experience bringing pilot plants or manufacturing facilities from design through startup and operation
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related discipline
- U.S. national (company hiring restriction due to funding obligations)
- Commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and engineering rigor
