Junior Engineer Research & Development

About Us

At Covalent Lithium, we are genuinely passionate about creating a clean energy future and supporting our teams who enable this vision.

Following the commissioning of our mine and concentrator at Mt Holland in 2024, we recently celebrated our first production of battery -grade lithium hydroxide at our Kwinana Refinery. We are now a fully integrated mine-to-refinery operation, supplying high quality lithium hydroxide to global markets and enabling approximately 1 million electric vehicles to go on the road, every year for the next 50 years.

We are proud to foster a culture where people with different skills, experiences and backgrounds are welcomed and set-up for success.

Employee Benefits

We support, empower and reward our people with a range of benefits:

• Competitive remuneration package
• Access to discounts, recognition and rewards
• Access to flexible work arrangements
• Dedicated wellbeing program support and discounted health insurance
• Equal access to paid parental leave, financial support, return to work and parenting room

The Role

The main purpose of the position is to provide support to the R&D team in all aspects relating to Covalent’s Research & Development (R&D) program including the planning and execution of internally conducted bench, pilot and industrial test campaigns.

This is a full-time, fixed term position for 24 months, on a 4:3 (day shift) FIFO roster to our Mt Holland site.

Key Responsibilities

•    Provide support to the R&D team in all aspects relating to Covalent’s R&D program including the planning and execution of internally conducted bench, pilot and industrial test campaigns.
•    Design and oversee test work scopes related to the concentrator (and at times, refinery) to ensure objectives are met and information acquired is suitable for purpose. 
•    Oversee external test work programs to determine design parameters and substantiate process design.
•    Analyse R&D samples in the laboratories in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
•    Prepare clear SOPs and ensure they are maintained. 
•    Liaise with site teams (E.g. Laboratory, Metallurgy, Geology, Operations) to effectively deliver quality project work in required timeframes.
•    Communicate and report on progress of trials, equipment & consumables.
•    Interpret, process and present project results to stakeholders.
•    Work to the laboratories’ standards of safety and housekeeping. 
•    Plan, purchase and maintain equipment and consumables.
•    Plant sampling and dispatch to external laboratories and vendors. 
•    Perform and validate mass balances in collaboration with Process Engineers/Metallurgists.
•    Plan and implement laboratory operations for projects and test work programs.
•    Research relevant studies being carried out in Australia and overseas.
•    Active participation in the establishment of a health and safety culture
•    Ensure compliance with budget and expenditure protocols and procedures.

Role Requirements

•    1 year experience in metallurgical or chemical laboratories, or management of test programs desired
•    Tertiary qualifications in Process/Chemical Engineering or related discipline
•    Good report writing skills 
•    Ability to work in remote and/or arid environmental conditions
•    Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements in laboratories and mine site environments
•    Understanding of general laboratory practices
•    Recent graduates wanting to start career in lithium industry are encouraged to apply as training will be provided

A competitive remuneration package commensurate with the role, candidate experience, skills and qualifications will be offered.

Our team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Candidates from all backgrounds and ages are encouraged to apply, including First Nations People, those who identify as LGBTIQ+, people with disabilities and those with neurodiverse, intersectional, or multiple diverse characteristics.

Covalent Lithium is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, with a focus on our employees. We recognise skills, expertise, commitment and living our values of Purpose, Care, Accountability and Collaboration. Our goal is to attract, develop, motivate, reward, and retain the best people in the industry.