CAMP Research Engineer / Pilot Plant Manager Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) invites applications for an exciting opportunity to join the Center for Advanced Mineral Processing (CAMP) as a CAMP Research Engineer / Pilot Plant Manager. This position offers a unique opportunity to help establish and operate a new, highly specialized mineral-processing testing and technology-development facility at Montana Tech and to contribute directly to the development of domestic critical-mineral resources. CAMP is a technology-development and testing center focused on advancing material-processing technologies from laboratory research through pilot- and demonstration-scale operation and strives to bridge the gap between laboratory proof-of-concept and commercial deployment. Projects support characterization, beneficiation, extraction, separation, recovery, refining, and treatment of a wide range of mineral resources and secondary materials, including ores, mine waste, tailings, waste rock, slags, concentrates, and process waters. CAMP provides an environment where university researchers, students, mining companies, technology developers, government agencies, and equipment manufacturers can work together to develop and demonstrate practical solutions for recovering critical minerals from both conventional and unconventional resources. Montana Technological University is a nationally recognized STEM-focused university with a long history of educating engineers, scientists, and technical professionals for the mining, energy, environmental, and natural-resource industries. Located in Butte, Montana, Montana Tech offers an exceptional environment for interdisciplinary work involving metallurgical and mineral processing engineering, mining, geology, environmental science, materials science, engineering, and emerging technologies. Montana Technological University provides a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible positions that includes health, dental and vision insurance, mandatory retirement plan with employer contribution, partial tuition waiver, and a wellness program.
Duties:
Direct day-to-day operation of the CAMP testing facility, including laboratory, bench-scale, pilot-scale, and demonstration-scale equipment, procedures, scheduling, maintenance, and utilization. Ensure compliance with university, environmental, occupational safety, and regulatory requirements, including protocols for handling ores, tailings, slags, concentrates, process chemicals, solutions, and waste materials. Coordinate acquisition, installation, modification, and operation of mineral-processing and analytical equipment and support development of facility operating budgets. Support development and demonstration of critical-mineral processing technologies, including beneficiation, flotation, leaching, separation, recovery, refining, and treatment of ores, mine wastes, tailings, slags, and other secondary resources. Coordinate multidisciplinary research related to metallurgy, mineral processing, geology, geochemistry, engineering, environmental science, data science, AI, and process control, including technical reports, publications, patents, and technology transfer. Support graduate and undergraduate research and workforce development by providing hands-on experience with industrially relevant mineral-processing equipment and processes and helping prepare the next generation of mineral-processing engineers, metallurgists, technicians, and operators. Establish and enforce comprehensive safety, environmental monitoring, chemical/material handling, and waste-management procedures for CAMP operations while promoting a strong safety culture among employees, students, researchers, and industry partners. Position is in Butte, Montana and requires full-time in-office/lab presence.
Required Qualifications:
Master's degree in metallurgy, mineral processing, chemical engineering, or a closely related field, plus 8 years of professional experience (or Ph.D. plus 5 years of professional experience) in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, pilot-plant operations, or related industrial research.
Demonstrated experience managing technical projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience with laboratory or pilot-scale mineral-processing equipment and processes.
Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and technical deliverables.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience with mine wastes and secondary resources and with mineral-processing technologies including flotation, leaching, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, physical separation, and beneficiation. Demonstrated experience advancing technologies from laboratory or pilot scale toward commercial deployment, including process modeling, automation, data analytics, AI, or digital-twin applications. Demonstrated experience managing technical projects, facilities, personnel, and research programs, including federal or industry-sponsored projects and supervision of technical staff, students, and researchers. Demonstrated ability to translate research into practical engineering solutions and work effectively with industry, academia, and government, with strong communication, relationship-building, safety, environmental stewardship, and entrepreneurial skills.
Physical Demands:- Operations will primarily take place within a mineral processing plant utilizing standard industry equipment.
- For full consideration application materials must be complete. Please include:
- Cover letter addressing qualifications, Resume
- Contact information for 3 professional references.
Application Requirements:
For full consideration application materials must be complete. Any offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check. Montana Tech is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University's mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged. Montana Tech makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant's ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee's ability to perform the duties of the job. In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, Montana Tech provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at Montana Tech as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). Montana Tech will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Further, based on the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation and accompanying guidance from the USCIS and Dept. of State, the University may not be able to offer H-1B sponsorship. Particularly the University is not able to pay the $100,000 payment accompanying new H-1B visa petitions. To claim veteran's preference please complete the employment (veteran's) preference form located on the employment page and email to humanresources@mtech.edu. You must include the job title of the position in which you are applying.
Download Employment (Veteran's) Preference Form (PDF):
To request an accommodation for the application or interview, please contact Cathy Isakson at 406-496-4380 or email cisakson@mtech.eduHelp meet the changing needs of society by providing a transformative student experience by helping develop leaders for tomorrow by advancing science, engineering and technology.
In addition, Montana Tech offers an attractive benefits package* which includes:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with low deductibles and comprehensive coverage.
- Generous employer contribution toward monthly health care benefits worth $6.08 per hour.5.9% retirement employer contribution for eligible employees11 Holidays per year3 weeks of Annual Leave to start
- Generous sick leave policy that can be used for sick children, doctor and dentist appointments as well as bereavement.6 credits of coursework free per year (fees not included)
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Reduced tuition for dependents after 4 months of employment for eligible employees
- Employee Assistance and a Wellness Program
- Optional Retirement Plan for eligible employees
- Possible remote work days
