Red Metals is a next-generation copper manufacturer developing an integrated refining process to convert copper feedstocks directly into finished copper products.
Mechanical Engineer Charleston, South Carolina About Red Metals Red Metals is rethinking the domestic copper supply chain at a pivotal moment in American industry. Copper underpins electrification, data centers, and defense systems. U.S. demand already exceeds domestic supply, and the gap is widening as grid modernization, the energy transition, and buildout of AI infrastructure accelerate. We are building a new model for this critical industrial layer in the United States. The Role We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and operate our first copper processing and refining systems. This is not a support role. You will take process concepts from first principles through commissioning and into production, and you will own performance, reliability, and output. What You’ll Do - Design and build mechanical systems. Own mechanical performance across the plant. - Translate process concepts into equipment specifications, mechanical layouts, and fabrication drawings - Select and integrate mechanical equipment across the flowsheet - Work closely with chemical and controls engineers to build a functioning plant - Commission mechanical systems, including hands-on troubleshooting on the plant floor - Define maintenance procedures, inspection intervals, and reliability KPIs - Analyze equipment data and drive improvements in yield, quality, and throughput - Interface directly with vendors, fabricators, and contractors to execute quickly - Contribute to development of in-house controls and automation systems, using AI and process data to accelerate development, improve reliability, and continuously optimize Red Metals Non-Negotiables 1. Bias for Action We move fast. Speed beats polish. We use every tool, especially AI, to accelerate decisions, execution, and learning. 2. Grit We do hard things because they matter. We keep pushing when others quit. 3. Ownership We own outcomes, not tasks. We see problems, fix them, and follow through across functions. 4. Signal We cut through noise. We communicate clearly and directly so decisions are fast and execution stays sharp. 5. Craft We take pride in our work. Quality, care, and precision are the standard. What We’re Looking For - Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience demonstrating mechanical engineering capability - 3-8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, ideally in metals, mining, refining, or heavy industry - Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, process development, and materials, whether developed through formal education or practical experience - Experience taking mechanical systems from design into real operation - Comfortable working on the plant floor in an industrial environment - Ability to operate with incomplete information and make sound decisions quickly Strong Pluses: - Experience with mechanical processing or sorting of mined or secondary materials - Experience with copper or non-ferrous metals processing - Experience commissioning industrial equipment - Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation - Startup or early-stage experience Why Red Metals - Build a company from zero, not optimize an existing system - Direct ownership of critical process and operational decisions - Work on a problem that matters: rebuilding U.S. industrial capacity - Small team, high trust, no bureaucracy Location This role is based in Charleston, South Carolina and requires on-site work.