Pyrometallurgical Process Engineer
Limelight Steel
Limelight Steel is on a mission to eliminate emissions from iron and steelmaking and build a brighter future. 8% of global CO2 emissions come from current fossil-based steelmaking processes - the largest source of industrial emissions today. Limelight Steel's electrified ironmaking technology has the potential to eliminate those emissions, significantly reduce energy use, and produce iron for cheaper than fossil-based methods.
We are a startup in Oakland, CA, backed by industry-leading climate tech investors, looking to grow our team. We are committed to building a diverse and courageous team of people motivated to make a positive impact on the world. We want to hire kind and supportive teammates who have the perseverance to achieve our audacious goal of decarbonizing steel.
Position Summary
As our Pyrometallurgical Process Engineer, you will own the end-to-end design and optimization of custom furnaces and metallurgical processes. You will efficiently handle, refine, and purify molten metal, drawing innovative inspiration from established and emerging techniques in the metals industry.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, construction, and testing of specialized furnaces tailored for molten metal processing.
- Develop and implement slag formation management, and removal processes, leveraging industry best practices and innovative solutions.
- Design and implement molten metal handling techniques including tapping, pouring, casting, and safe transfer between operational units
- Collaborate cross-functionally with process engineers, metallurgists, and fabricators to ensure designs meet performance, safety, and scalability requirements.
- Provide technical oversight during commissioning and troubleshooting phases.
Key Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years hands on experience designing and operating high-temperature metallurgical equipment (e.g., furnaces, ladles, crucibles, casting systems).
- Fundamental understanding of heat and mass transfer, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and materials compatibility at elevated temperatures.
- Ability to think through problems from first principles
- Experience working independently, as well as in team-oriented and fast-paced environments
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with steel degassing processes and equipment.
Full Time Employee Benefits
- Competitive stock option package
- Comprehensive health benefits that include:
- Full premium coverage for PPO Gold for employees with 80% coverage for dependents
- Full premium coverage for Vision and Dental for employees
- Generous time-off schedule
- 20 days paid time off
- 10 holidays (personalized to the holidays you observe)
- Sustainable 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
- 2x weekly catered team lunches
- A team of curious, passionate, kind, and courageous people committed to eliminating industrial emissions that contribute to climate change
- Unparalleled opportunities for growth, leadership, and project ownership in a dynamic and rapidly-growing startup company