Lead Process Engineer - Expansion (Perth)

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, and annual incentives for eligible employees
•    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
•    Salary sacrifice options for superannuation and novated leasing

The Role

As a key member of the Expansion team, the Lead Process Engineer will provide technical leadership and expertise in process engineering, working closely with relevant managers to support the delivery of the Expansion project on schedule and within budget to the requirements of the Terms of Reference.  The position plays a key role in interface management and information transfer between the Project team and MTH site operations and Process Technology teams. 

You will provide technical support across the expansion project lifecycle, including design development, equipment procurement and project implementation through to operations. The role provides expert process engineering input across comminution, milling, flotation, dewatering and ore sorting, leveraging Stage 1 operational knowledge to optimise plant performance, efficiency, recovery and safety for the expanded operation.

This is a 12 Month Fulltime Fixed term contract based at our Perth Office with occasional travel to site.

Key Responsibilities 
•    Provide expert-level technical guidance and support in the areas of comminution, milling, flotation, dewatering and tailings management, and ore sorting
•    Support process design and optimisation activities, including review of PFDs, P&IDs, equipment layouts and datasheets, aligned with project design maturity.
•    Lead and review process calculations, equipment sizing and process simulations
•    Oversee and interpret metallurgical test work programs, providing clear recommendations to support design and operational decisions.
•    Provide technical input to equipment evaluation, vendor technical reviews and bid evaluations
•    Support construction, commissioning and operational readiness activities, including troubleshooting and optimisation to improve plant performance, efficiency and recovery.
•    Collaborate effectively with the Integrated Project Team, other engineering disciplines, project managers, and the Engineering Service Provider (ESP)
•    Prepare and present technical reports and presentations
•    Lead or participate in HAZOP and other risk assessments, identifying hazards and ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.

Role requirements
•    Bachelor's degree in Mineral Processing, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred. 
•    10+ years relevant experience in fixed plant mineral processing, with a focus on base metals and/or lithium
•    Extensive experience in design and operation of comminution, milling, flotation, dewatering and tailings management, and ore sorting circuits
•    Demonstrated experience in all phases of project development, from feasibility studies through to commissioning and operation
•    Strong understanding of process design principles and methodologies
•    Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., METSIM, JKSimMet, SysCAD)
•    Experience in commissioning and operational readiness activities is highly desirable
•    Demonstrated track record of problem solving and solution implementation in a multi-discipline team-based environment
•    Leading risk assessments and systematic problem solving (HAZOP, HAZID, LOPA, RCA etc.)
•    Exceptional report writing skills

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. 

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