Control Room Operator
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 10, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 19, 2026.
About Phoenix Tailings
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup focused on building a domestic supply of critical materials.
Our Freedom Facility in Rochester, New York will be a commercial-scale rare earth separation facility designed to expand U.S. capacity to process and separate rare earth materials.
Rare earths are essential inputs for many of the technologies that power modern life. They are used in high-performance permanent magnets found in electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, advanced electronics, aerospace systems, and defense applications.
Today, much of the world's rare earth processing and separation capacity is concentrated overseas. Building more of this capability in the United States is important for strengthening domestic supply chains, reducing reliance on foreign processing, and supporting the advanced manufacturing, energy, technology, and national-security industries that depend on these materials.
The Freedom Facility will be designed to produce thousands of tons of separated rare earth oxides annually, making Rochester an important part of Phoenix Tailings' expansion of domestic rare earth processing capacity.
Why Phoenix Tailings
At Phoenix, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
Our Values
- You are only crazy if you are wrong, it's ok to be wrong - Say what you think even when it’s uncomfortable
- Lead with Compassion - Show up for your teammates, make the people around you better.
- Be Resourceful - Find a way with what you have, don't wait for more.
- Listen - Understand before you act, ask good questions before deciding.
- Hustle - Put your heart into every interaction, no matter how small.
Who We Are Looking For
As we build toward operations in 2027 and 2028, we are beginning to meet with individuals who may be interested in joining Phoenix Tailings. We encourage interested candidates to apply, learn more about what we are building, and stay connected as we develop our facility.
Phoenix Tailings is looking for experienced operators interested in future Control Room Operator opportunities at our Rochester Freedom Facility.
Control Room Operators will act as senior operators with plant-level visibility through the human-machine interface (HMI), alarms, and process trends. They will direct field operators by radio and coordinate with controls and automation support when operating issues arise.
This is an opportunity to help a new operating team maintain a clear view of plant conditions and connect control room information with coordinated action in the field.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor plant conditions through the human-machine interface, alarms, and operating trends to maintain visibility across the separations circuit
- Evaluate alarms and changing trends, prioritize field checks, and coordinate operating responses within approved procedures and technical direction
- Direct field operators by radio to inspect equipment, verify instrument readings, and complete approved adjustments, confirming the resulting plant response
- Coordinate with Controls and Automation when sensors, displays, communications, or control responses appear inconsistent with field conditions
- Maintain clear operating records and shift handoffs, escalating unresolved process deviations and equipment concerns to engineering and shift leadership
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent and experience in chemical, refinery, water-treatment, or other continuous-process operations; process-technology training is highly valued
- Experience serving as a senior operator or supporting control room operations, with an understanding of how changes in one area affect the wider process
- Ability to interpret HMI displays, alarms, and process trends, compare them with field observations, and recognize abnormal or unreliable readings
- Sound operating judgment, clear radio communication, and the ability to coordinate field actions and document decisions during changing plant conditions
What We Offer:
- Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee
- Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
- Time Off: Unlimited PTO.
- Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.
This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary +
discretionary bonus for this role. Total package may vary based on experience and qualifications.
Pay Range: $36/hr-$50/hr