Aurubis – metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi-metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity. These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e-mobility, and urbanization. Aurubis has about 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system. Join our team and promote progress together with us!
As an on-site R&D Engineer at Aurubis Richmond, you will be an integral part of a cross-functional R&D team working closely with R&D Corporate and Production, Supply Chain, Commissioning, Maintenance, and Analytical teams in Richmond and other locations. Your role involves developing and designing new processes while enhancing existing ones. By exploring metallurgical and mathematical models, you will identify significant improvements in production processes spanning commercial, energy, and other domains. Your responsibilities include engineering research, process modeling, simulation, data collection, sample testing, writing research reports for strategic initiatives and decision-making, and assisting in other projects as assigned.
R&D Process Engineer
Your Tasks
Significantly improve company competitiveness through advanced metallurgical and/or mathematical methods and expert systems, especially for the areas of production, commercials, energy affairs, and others.
Support the development of processes or models to support investment decisions for innovation, market positioning, and future projects.
Support strategically important Aurubis projects.
Ensure compliance with Aurubis environmental, health, and safety standards, including risk assessments and preparation of operating instructions.
Develop an excellent understanding of non-ferrous metallurgy and serve as a subject matter expert in pyro- and hydrometallurgy.
Develop process flow diagram of existing and new metallurgical and chemical processes.
Develop, analyze, and optimize mass balance and heat balance of metallurgical and chemical processes.
Calculate phase diagrams, chemical equilibrium, and thermodynamic properties of materials under different conditions.
Perform mathematical modeling for process development and improvement in existing processes.
Generate creative ideas for using new technologies or methods at Aurubis
Scientifically plan, control, execute and evaluate experiments and computer simulations.
Collect and compile the data, analyze the results to draw conclusions, and prepare presentations and research reports as needed.
Collaborate with production, commissioning, maintenance, analytical, and other teams on various tasks.
Collaborate with universities, research institutes, and external partners for process or product optimization and development.
Prepare work instructions, user manuals, and other training materials.
Draft patent applications, funding proposals, research proposals, and technical articles.
Perform procurement, prepare, review, and evaluate technical specifications of various plant equipment and processes.
Execute optimization and debottlenecking tasks, such as the optimization of existing processes/products to increase efficiency, reduce production costs, or increase product quality in cooperation with the production/operations department managers.
Prepare profitability estimates for projects.
Generate creative and innovative ideas, especially for the use of new technologies or methods at Aurubis.
Prepare competitor analyses (flowsheets, profitability).
Develop and implement new mathematical methods and strategies for group-wide use.
Collaborate on projects to support investment decisions using mathematical methods.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Your Profile
Master’s degree in Metallurgy, Process Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, or equivalent. PhD desirable.
1-3 years minimum experience in a related field.
Expert knowledge to address strategically important issues in the areas of modeling, advanced analytics, pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, electrometallurgical processes or recycling technologies.
Knowledge of the processes used or newly developed in the non-ferrous industry and their economic and technological assessment.
Very good communication and persuasion skills.
Clear customer/partner orientation (internal, external).
Structured and creative problem-solving skills for complex issues.
Strong ability to work in a team and intercultural understanding.
Knowledge and use of expert systems such as Factsage/HSC/MPE.
Basic experience in dynamic process modeling, mathematical modeling, optimization and/or data science in the field of metallurgical processes, supply chain theories, inventory management, or comparable.
Good knowledge of various programming languages such as AIMMS, MATLAB, Python, C++, or comparable.
Must be willing and physically able to observe and walk in a smelter environment.
Must be willing and physically able to work in varying cold and heat situations.
Could have times that are prolonged periods of walking, standing, and bending.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
Ability to travel throughout the facility as required to conduct audits and make observations
Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas.
Required to reach and grasp with hands and reach with arms.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally if requested.
We Offer
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Disability insurance
Health insurance
Vision insurance
What does Aurubis stand for? Take a look here!
Aurubis is an employer that stands for diversity and equal opportunity. Employment decisions are made regardless of national or ethnic origin, religion and belief, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical impairment and social origin or any other legally protected characteristics of an individual.
