Metallurgical technician / process operator

Perth, Western Australia

Full-time, permanent position

About us

At Renewable Metals, we’re pioneering the future of battery recycling. Our mission is simple but powerful: to sustainably recover critical minerals from lithium battery waste. With our world-first alkali recycling process, we can recover over 95% of lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese across all major lithium-ion battery chemistries. Unlike traditional methods, our technology is cleaner, more cost-effective, and better for the planet.

Backed by leading climate-tech investors—Investible, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and the Grantham Foundation—as well as grant support from the NSW Government, we’re scaling up fast. Our team is currently building a larger-scale demonstration plant in Kewdale, WA and progressing an engineering study for a commercial facility in the Hunter region of NSW.

We’re looking for practical, passionate problem-solvers who want to accelerate decarbonisation, tackle the e-waste challenge, and drive real impact. If you thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and want to help protect the planet with purpose-built innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

The opportunity

We have permanent Metallurgical Technician / Process operator positions available based at our WA battery recycling demonstration plant.

You will report to the Senior Metallurgist and will support metallurgical operations by performing laboratory tests on leaching, precipitation, solvent extraction (SX), electrowinning and crystallisation. You will also play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the demonstration plant. The demonstration plant will run continuously with multiple shifts, requiring you to work outside normal business hours from time to time.

Key responsibilities include:

Apply basic scientific and metallurgical principles in laboratory, pilot plant, and full-scale plant environments

Conducting regular inspections, maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability

Conduct routine laboratory tests such as moisture content determination, sample preparation, leaching, solvent extraction

Laboratory test work data analysis, mass balancing and report writing

Assist Senior Metallurgists in processing experiments and interpreting test work results.

Assisting in the start-up, shutdown, and transition of the demonstration plant processes

Operating and monitoring process equipment such as shredders, pumps, filters and crystallisers

Recording and maintaining accurate operational data and logs

Collaborating with the team to optimise demonstration plant performance and efficiency

Adhering to safety protocols and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations whilst performing all tasks.

Adhere to legal and regulatory requirements and safety protocols. Implement and improve safety measures.

About you

Full Australian working rights

Relevant technical qualifications or certifications

Previous working experience in a metallurgical laboratory doing sample preparation, leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation, electrowinning and crystallisation tests.

Familiarity with operating and maintaining industrial equipment

Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety

Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure

Effective communication and teamwork skills