Still Bright develops modular vanadium-based electrochemical extraction systems that soak copper ores and tailings in a regenerable vanadium solution, electrically regenerating it to recover copper without pyrometallurgical smelting.
Reports to: Director of Electrochemistry Close collaboration with: Electrochemistry, Product Engineering, and R&D teams Location: Kenilworth, NJ Salary starts at: $125,000 Equity participation reflecting the scope and trust of the role Competitive Benefits POSITION SUMMARY Still Bright is bringing the first viable hydrometallurgical alternative to copper smelting to market at a moment when global copper demand is outpacing supply by historic margins. Our proprietary RACER (Rapid and Complete Electrochemical Reduction) process delivers fast, complete copper extraction while recovering precious and critical co-products, and as a closed-loop system it offers precise control over outputs and radically reduces environmental impact. Backed by top-tier investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Material Impact, the team is moving from pilot execution into the next stages of commercial deployment. The Engineer III - Electrochemistry is an experienced engineer who supports the design, development, and iterative improvement of the RACER electrochemical cell. The person in this seat sets cell test objectives, drives the build–test–learn cycles that improve performance, efficiency, and durability, and translates results into next-generation cell designs that carry RACER from pilot toward demonstration scale. Long-duration stability and durability testing are a core input to this work; the Engineer III defines what to test, interprets failure modes, and converts findings into design changes. Work is largely self-directed with technical guidance and review from senior engineers. This is a hands-on role for someone equally comfortable at the whiteboard and at the bench, and the Engineer III is expected to set a strong standard for experimental rigor and to guide junior engineers and technicians on day-to-day execution. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Perform test planning, cell assembly, test setup, test execution, test data analysis, test report and test cell troubleshooting. • Optimize operating parameters and define operating windows to improve electrochemical cell performance and durability. • Define, plan, and drive build–test–learn campaigns—including subscale long-duration (1000-hour) stability and durability testing—and translate results into concrete design improvements. • Own cell-level performance: voltage, current efficiency, energy consumption, and degradation over time; lead root-cause and failure-mode analysis and define mitigations. • Develop and maintain cell test plans, performance models, mass and energy balances, and equipment and component specifications; contribute to flowsheet inputs. • Specify, build, and commission cell test apparatus and instrumentation in collaboration with the controls and pilot teams, including data-acquisition and automation for long-duration runs. • Translate bench- and subscale test results into scalable cell designs, identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies for demonstration scale. • Analyze electrochemical and analytical data and deliver clear, well-documented technical reports that inform go/no-go decisions and economic models. • Mentor junior engineers and technicians on experimental design, electrochemical testing, data analysis, and safe laboratory and pilot practice. • Support electrode, membrane/separator, and electrolyte characterization and co-product recovery test work. • Participating in structured problem-solving efforts during failure root causes investigations and failure mitigation activities. • Uphold laboratory and pilot safety standards, chemical-handling discipline, and clean record-keeping. DEFINITION OF SUCCESS In the first 12 months, success looks like: ownership of one or more cell durability workstreams with measurable improvements in cell performance, efficiency, and durability; validated cell designs supported by reliable long-duration stability data and clear failure-mode understanding; and design outputs that directly inform the demonstration-unit roadmap and the team's scale-up and economic decisions. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE EXPECTED COMPETENCIES • Master's degree in chemical engineering, electrochemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a related field; or bachelor’s degree with commensurate experience. • Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in electrochemical cell or stack development, process engineering, or a related laboratory/industrial discipline. • Strong experimental design and data-analysis skills, including time-series and long-duration test data and failure-mode analysis. • Strong command of mass and energy balances, performance modeling, and equipment/component specification. • Experience in design verification, DFMEA and experimental techniques (DOE, statistical analysis, Gauge R&R, etc.). • Hands-on comfort operating laboratory and pilot electrochemical equipment. • Strong documentation discipline, attention to detail, and clear technical communication. • A collaborative, self-motivated approach and comfort working in an evolving startup environment. STRONGLY PREFERRED EXPERIENCE • Direct experience developing electrochemical cells or stacks—electrowinning, electrolysis, electrolyzers, fuel cells, or batteries—including electrode and membrane/separator selection and cell architecture. • Experience with long-duration stability or durability testing and translating durability findings into design changes. • Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid flow and materials. • Fluency with potentiostats/galvanostats and electrochemical measurement techniques (CV, EIS, chronopotentiometry) and data-acquisition systems. • Pilot-scale or continuous-process experience, including commissioning and troubleshooting at scale. NICE-TO-HAVE • Experience with electrode or membrane/separator degradation and failure analysis. • Experience with analytical characterization techniques (XRD, XRF, ICP, titration, sample