Mechanical Engineer

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

Bias for Action

We move fast. Speed beats polish. We use every tool, especially AI, to accelerate decisions, execution, and learning.

Grit

We do hard things because they matter. We keep pushing when others quit.

Ownership

We own outcomes, not tasks. We see problems, fix them, and follow through across functions.

Signal

We cut through noise. We communicate clearly and directly so decisions are fast and execution stays sharp.

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.