This position requires U.S. citizenship. Under the contract(s) we have hiring for, personnel with access to the controlled information associated with this work must be U.S. citizens. PHNX is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on national origin, citizenship, or immigration status in any other respect. About PHNX Materials China controls 98% of the world’s gallium, 92% of germanium, and 93% of silicon. In 2024, China weaponized export restrictions on gallium and germanium, putting the vulnerability on full display. Each of these metals is a byproduct of heavy industry that no longer exists in the United States. We cannot reshore the supply chain because the underlying industries are gone. PHNX is the Department of Energy’s and Department of War’s answer to closing that gap. We are a “solids refinery” turning industrial waste, primarily coal ash and zinc slag, into three product streams: critical metals for semiconductors and defense, cement replacement material for construction, and fertilizer for agriculture. Our platform delivers a triple win: securing domestic critical mineral supply chains, helping power producers retire coal ash liabilities, and giving concrete producers a cheaper, lower-carbon alternative to cement. We support coal communities and remediate groundwater. PHNX was founded by Stanford, Tesla, and national lab alumni, backed by Trust Ventures, Overture, and KdT, and sponsored by the U.S. Department of War and the U.S. Department of Energy. The Role We’re looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to turn our process concepts into buildable hardware during our scale-up phase. You’ll take layout sketches and process requirements and turn them into the detailed models, drawings, and specifications needed to fabricate, install, and connect a full equipment line. That includes vessels, skids, piping, supports, and the interfaces between them. You’ll work closely with process engineering, R&D, operations, and outside fabricators and EPC partners. What You Will Own
- Take layout sketches and PFDs and develop them into detailed 3D models and general arrangement drawings for pilot- and commercial-scale equipment lines.
- Produce construction and fabrication drawing packages, including piping isometrics, equipment details, skid and structural support drawings, and BOMs.
- Design and detail mechanical systems such as process piping, tanks, pressure vessels, ductwork, conveyors and solids-handling equipment, skids, platforms, and pipe supports.
- Lay out equipment and piping with access, maintenance, thermal expansion, drainage, and safe operation in mind.
- Select materials and components (pipe, valves, fittings, gaskets, linings) suited to corrosive, abrasive, and high-temperature service.
- Apply relevant codes and standards (e.g., ASME B31.3, ASME BPVC Section VIII, AWS, ASTM) and perform or coordinate supporting calculations such as wall thickness, pipe stress, and structural loads.
- Write equipment specifications and datasheets, review vendor and fabricator drawings, and support procurement decisions.
- Support fabrication, installation, and commissioning on site. Resolve field fit-up issues and keep drawings current through as-built revisions.
- Iterate quickly with R&D and process engineering to modify designs as we learn from pilot operations.
Who You Are
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, with about 3+ years of post-graduate experience in mechanical design for industrial, chemical, mining, or process plant equipment.
- Proficient in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD Plant 3D, or similar) and 2D drafting. You know how to produce clean, buildable construction and fabrication drawings.
- You’ve taken a concept or layout sketch all the way to an installed, connected equipment line.
- Working knowledge of piping design, pressure vessel fundamentals, GD&T, weld symbols, and fabrication methods.
- Familiar with material selection for corrosive or high-temperature environments.
- Comfortable working with vendors, fabricators, and contractors, and spending time in the shop or on site.
- Experience with pipe stress or FEA tools (e.g., CAESAR II, ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation) is a plus.
- Exposure to sulfuric acid, chemical processing, mineral processing, or new facility build-outs is a strong plus.
- A commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and engineering rigor.
What We Offer
- The chance to shape and build a first-of-its-kind facility tackling major national challenges.
- A dynamic startup environment with a mission-driven team and room to grow.
- The chance to revolutionize heavy industries.
PHNX Materials is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.