Lead Director, Project Engineering

About Cyclic Materials

Cyclic Materials is pioneering a circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other vital materials critical to modern technologies such as electric vehicles, electronics, AI infrastructure, wind turbines, defense systems, and advanced manufacturing. Utilizing proprietary processes like MagCycle℠ and REEPure℠, the company recycles rare earth elements from end-of-life products into high purity materials needed for permanent magnets. Founded in 2021, Cyclic has quickly shifted from technology development to commercialization, operating facilities in Ontario and Arizona, with expansion underway in South Carolina. Supported by US$75 million in Series C funding led by T. Rowe Price and major strategic investors (Microsoft, Amazon, Hitachi Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion Fund, Energy Impact Partners, ArcTern Ventures, and Fifth Wall), Cyclic scales to fulfill global demand for sustainable rare earth supplies. The company partners with global players such as Solvay, Vattenfall, Lime, and VACUUMSCHMELZE to integrate recycled rare earths into commercial supply chains. In 2025, Cyclic was recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the Top 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch.

Role Summary

The Lead Director of Project Engineering leads the owner’s engineering team, overseeing the development and delivery of major capital projects. This executive role provides strategic and technical leadership across front-end loading phases, engineering development, project execution planning, and readiness for construction, commissioning, and handover. Responsible for internal engineering resources and managing external engineering and EPC partners, the position ensures solutions are safe, technically sound, commercially viable, and aligned with Cyclic’s objectives. The Lead Director oversees governance, quality, design maturity, and integration across process, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, civil/structural, utilities, and plant infrastructure disciplines, while mentoring team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead owner’s engineering functions across multiple capital projects, focusing on front-end loading phases FEL-2 and FEL-3, and preparations for future stages.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of internal project engineers and specialists to support project studies and development.
• Manage external engineering, EP, EPC, EPCM, and specialist consultants ensuring compliance with technical standards, objectives, and stage-gate requirements.
• Define engineering scope, design basis, deliverables, and review procedures to guarantee outputs fit for purpose and execution readiness.
• Lead engineering governance including scope, design changes, technical risk management, value improvement, constructability, operability, maintainability, and readiness for HAZOP and design reviews.
• Oversee development and assessment of execution plans, project schedules, capital cost estimates, and engineering resource planning.
• Collaborate with Project Controls, Procurement, Construction, Operations, Commercial, and Executive teams to align engineering with project goals and milestones.
• Guide project engineering teams through budget formulation, scope, work breakdown structure, schedule, commissioning plans, and cost estimating.
• Support project decision-making by ensuring adequate engineering maturity, cost and schedule reliability, risk assessment, and documentation for investment decisions.
• Champion consistency in engineering standards, specifications, and management systems across projects.
• Identify and implement improvements through technology selection, standardization, modularization, digital tools, and execution strategies.
• Participate in contractor and consultant selection, scope definition, commercial evaluations, and contract negotiations alongside Supply Chain and Project Leadership.
• Provide senior engineering leadership during project execution, resolving technical issues and supporting commissioning, start-up, and operational handover.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with health, safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to organizational planning, capability building, and continuous improvement within capital projects function.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) certification is mandatory.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification regarded as an advantage.
• At least 18 years of progressive experience in project engineering, capital project development, and engineering leadership in industrial, mining, metallurgical, chemical process, clean tech, or renewable energy sectors.
• Proven track record leading owner’s engineering teams and managing external engineering or EPCM partners on medium to large capital projects.
• Extensive experience in front-end loading, feasibility studies, FEED/preliminary engineering, project definition, and design development for complex industrial facilities.
• Preferred experience supporting detailed engineering, construction, commissioning, and operational handover phases.
• Strong commercial acumen including capital cost estimation, budgeting, scheduling, contract scope development, and consultant/contractor management.
• Demonstrated leadership skills guiding multidisciplinary technical teams and influencing internal and external stakeholders.

Required Skills and Competencies

• In-depth understanding of engineering principles, capital project development, and industrial project delivery management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of owner’s engineering responsibilities, risk-based decision-making, stage-gate governance, and engineering assurance.
• Leadership capabilities including team development, mentoring, performance management, and organizational growth.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills targeting executives, project teams, engineering partners, contractors, and operations staff.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities to manage several projects and priorities within a dynamic growth environment.
• Analytical thinking, problem-solving aptitude, and sound decision-making skills.
• Attention to detail balanced with strategic focus on project outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and familiar with project delivery, document control, and engineering management systems.
• Adaptable and agile mindset capable of adjusting approaches quickly for efficient work execution.
• Innovative problem-solving and willingness to explore unconventional solutions.

Preferred Expertise

• Subject matter expertise in hydrometallurgical, chemical processing, electrical, civil/structural, mechanical engineering disciplines and/or experience with recycling, critical minerals, metals refining, or complex process-plant environments.
• Experience in both brownfield and greenfield industrial project development.
• Background working in startups focused on design optimization and refinement.
• Experience conducting trade-off studies to establish critical engineering design criteria for plant retrofits and new plant designs.
• Familiarity with North American codes, standards, and industrial permitting processes.

Why You Will Enjoy Working at Cyclic Materials

• The company supports each employee’s individual career journey with commitment and care.
• Offers a competitive remuneration package including health and dental insurance, RRSP matching, and a generous paid time off plan encouraging work-life balance.
• Values diversity and strives to maintain an inclusive, respectful workplace where every contribution is acknowledged.

Additional Information

Base salary will be commensurate with the candidate's experience, skills, and competencies while ensuring internal pay equity. Cyclic Materials is an Equal Opportunity employer promoting an environment where all individuals can thrive. Accommodation requests during the recruitment process can be directed via email to Human Resources.

Applicants must have work authorization for Canada or the US that does not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. This includes H1-B, OPT, TN, L1-A, or any other non-immigrant status.

While we appreciate all applications, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.