Senior Process Engineer

Senior Process Engineer

Reports to: Chief Technology Officer

About Magrathea

Magrathea is reinventing a foundation of modern civilization: secure, clean magnesium metal. Magnesium enables critical sectors - aerospace, defense, automotive, aluminum alloys, titanium production, and advanced manufacturing - yet 95% of global supply comes from coal-based production in China. That’s not just a supply chain fragility - it’s a national security exposure.

We’ve developed a first-of-its-kind, electrolytic process to produce magnesium from seawater and brines - unlocking industrial independence and dramatically lowering environmental impact. We are backed by investors behind Tesla and SpaceX, major European industrial families, and the U.S. defense community.

If you’ve ever wanted to change the trajectory of an industry - this is one of the rare chances.

Is Magrathea for Me?

Magrathea is for people who:

• Are builders, not spectators.
• Run toward the hardest problems.
• Want to leave behind infrastructure that reshapes economies.

We are a tight group scaling the first new major electrolytic magnesium smelter of the 21st century. You will be hands-on from your first day, making decisions that move from pilot to steel in the ground in Arkansas - and metal poured on the other end.  No bureaucracy.  No filler work. Every contribution is mission-critical and will be remembered.

About the Role

Magrathea is seeking a highly capable, hands-on Senior Process Engineer to support the development, operation, and scale-up of our revolutionary electrolytic process technology.

The role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced R&D environment and combines strong mechanical, electrical, fabrication, and process troubleshooting skills with a practical, solutions-oriented mindset.  The successful candidate will play a critical role in designing, building, operating, and improving pilot-scale systems, and transferring the knowledge gained to Magrathea’s demonstration plant in Southwest Arkansas.

This position requires creativity, initiative, sound technical judgment, strong operational problem-solving skills, and clear communication across pilot plant, laboratory, and demonstration plant environments.

What You’ll Do

• Utilize piloting expertise to propose equipment/process innovations to execute development experiments at the demonstration plant.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and optimize demo-scale electrolytic and high-temperature processing equipment.
• Documenting pilot operational learnings for transfer to demonstration scale engineering and operations.
• Travel to Arkansas to support commissioning, startup, and operational activities at Magrathea’s demonstration plant.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and process related issues.
• Fabricate and modify custom equipment using cutting, grinding, welding, drilling, and tapping tools.
• Design and modify piping, plumbing, electrical, and instrumentation systems.
• Support PLC controls, sensor integration, wiring, and data logging systems.
• Repair and perform preventative maintenance on pilot plant and laboratory equipment.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, operational logs, and communicate learnings and observations.
• Run pre-established analytical methods to analyze samples from pilot or demonstration plant experiments.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and technicians to improve processes and scale emerging technologies.
• Manage raw materials, process samples, and consumables while maintaining accuracy and traceability.
• Work safely in industrial and laboratory environments using appropriate PPE, including extended use of full-face respirators and aluminized protective equipment for high temperature and molten material operations.

What You Bring

• Strong mechanical and electrical diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand the entirety of a complex chemical flowsheet and the effects upstream results have on downstream unit operations.
• Experience operating and maintaining industrial or pilot processing equipment. Bonus if you have experience with high temperature equipment or molten materials.
• Comfortable working in physically demanding industrial environments involving high temperatures, molten materials, specialized PPE, and extended periods on foot.
• Hands-on fabrication experience and comfort working with tools and machinery.
• Familiarity with PLC systems, instrumentation, sensors, or industrial controls.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and P&IDs to support equipment operation, maintenance, and system modifications.
• Experience using AI tools to accelerate technical documentation, data review, root cause analysis, and knowledge transfer.
• Strong communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Capable of training others in best practices and transferring process/operational knowledge.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced process development environments.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and chemical handling practices.
• Willingness to travel between pilot and demonstration-scale facilities in Oakland and Stamps, Arkansas, respectively, for up to 2 weeks per month.

Compensation & Benefits

• $150,000–$190,000 annual salary + significant equity and milestone-based incentives
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision
• 401(k) with immediate eligibility
• True leadership opportunities on a program with global impact

Join Us

If you’re looking for the most challenging, consequential, and meaningful engineering work of your career - this is the moment. Help us build the clean industrial base future generations will inherit. Help us restore independence to a security-critical strategic metal. Make history with us.