Careers

Still Bright is looking for the brightest talent to help us power a faster, cleaner, and more abundant and economic copper supply. 
With support from globally recognized partners and advisors, we’re building a team capable of revolutionizing the global metals supply chain.

Still Bright is a seed-stage, deep-technology startup dedicated to solving the world's critical copper shortfall. The transition to a sustainable economy depends on a massive expansion of copper supply, yet traditional extraction methods are struggling to keep pace and face significant environmental and permitting challenges.

Our proprietary hydrometallurgical process is designed to improve copper yields at currently producing mines as well as unlock vast, untapped copper resources. It can economically process low-grade ores, complex orebodies (including arsenic-laden ore), and mining waste streams that are unviable for conventional smelting. As a closed-loop system, our technology offers precise control over all outputs, minimizing environmental impact and radically reducing the risk of acid mine drainage.

Backed by top-tier investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Material Impact, our team is moving from designing and executing its pilot and is preparing the next stages of commercial deployment.

Open Positions

  • Job Title: Vice President (VP) of Operations
    Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
    Location: Newark, NJ
    Salary range: VP: $166,000 - $191,000 
    Competitive company-sponsored benefits, Unlimited PTO

    Apply by 12/01 for Priority Consideration: Job posting will remain open until 12/19, but candidates who apply by December 1st will be more likely to be considered for interviews. Excellent candidates who apply after this date will still be considered.

    Position Summary

    Still Bright is seeking a seasoned, execution-focused executive to lead our technical and operational functions as VP of Operations. This is the pivotal leadership role responsible for scaling our breakthrough technology from its current pilot stage to a commercially viable, globally-deployed business.

    This position requires a leader with deep knowledge of the operations of a growing startup, having experienced and overcome all of the growing pains associated with rapid growth. Ideally, this experience overlaps with the mining, chemical, or heavy-industrial landscape. The position requires the ability to build and execute a multi-year operational plan from the ground up.

    As the VP of Operations, you will be the primary creator of the departmental plan, taking a company-wide lens to build the team, processes, and partnerships necessary to de-risk and deploy our technology.

    You will be accountable for our technical and project execution, the efficiency of that execution, management of our most critical external relationships, and building the world-class team that will change how copper is produced.

    Exceptional candidates may be considered for a fast track promotion to COO. 

    Key Responsibilities

    Strategic Operational Roadmap & Execution:

    • Act as the main creator of the departmental plan, working alongside CEO to translate company strategy into actionable short-term (pilot optimization, partner testing) and long-term (first demo and commercial deployments) operational goals, timelines, and budgets.

    • COO Level: In addition to operational planning, think beyond the current plan to realize the full company vision. Anticipate future technical, market, and execution-related challenges and set mitigation plans in place.

    Accountability & Project Leadership:

    • Take accountability for all departmental objectives, budgets, and timelines, "taking the heat" and ensuring your teams deliver.

    • Serve as the executive project leader within a RASCI model for some major initiatives, from advanced piloting and demonstration to our first commercial builds.

    • COO Level: Hold ultimate accountability for the entire department, with a key responsibility to track all objectives, accurately forecast delays, and have mitigation plans in place if any problem manifests.

    Team & Organizational Scaling:

    • Build, lead, and mentor a high-performance, multi-disciplinary team, including future Directors, engineers, and project managers.

    • Design and implement the equitable advancement and compensation systems, operational systems, safety protocols, and company-wide processes required for a high-growth, capital-intensive mining technology company.

    Commercial & External Leadership:

    • Craft new business directions and unlock new commercial strategies in partnership with the C-suite.

    • Represent Still Bright externally in high-pressure encounters with mining partners, strategic investors, engineering firms, and regulators.

    • COO Level: Serve as a key public "face" of the company (both good and bad) for all operational matters.

    Supply Chain, Vendor & Partner Management:

    • Source, select, and manage all critical consultant and vendor relationships, including engineering partners, fabrication shops, and technical advisors.

    • Act as the primary decision-maker for key departmental objectives and, eventually, the final approver for all significant department decisions.


    Qualifications & Experience

    Core Competencies:

    • A deep understanding of what it takes to succeed as a mining (or related) hardware technology startup.

    • Proven track record of scaling complex industrial processes from pilot/demonstration to commercial reality.

    • Experience in relevant industries: hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, chemical engineering, manufacturing, or heavy industrial project management.

    • Demonstrable experience managing large, multi-million dollar capital projects and leading EPC relationships.

    • Ability to translate experience into operational frameworks designed for Still Bright’s potential operational challenges considering Still Bright’s values

    • An entrepreneurial mindset, willing to engage in direct execution to build the initial plan while managing and delegating as the team grows.

    • Exceptional leadership and communication skills, able to manage the Operations team while gathering and collating the needed information from relevant parties both internally and externally to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

    • Self-driven as the position reports directly to the CEO with minimal management.

    Experience Track for VP of Operations

    • 1-2 years of experience at a VP level in operations, projects, or engineering.

    • Or 3-4 years of experience at a Director level (or equivalent senior leadership).

    This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

Apply Now

Fair hiring practices

Still Bright prioritizes the well-being of our employees, customers, and communities, and works to create a positive impact on the world through our business practices. We especially encourage applicants from historically marginalized communities to join our mission of sustainable metals extraction.

Still Bright maintains blind applicant screening processes and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Still Bright complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Still Bright expressly prohibits and will never tolerate any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.