R3 Lithium operates North America's first commercial-scale lithium carbonate recovery facility, located in Covington, Georgia. Using a lithium-first extraction process, the company recovers, refines, and returns lithium carbonate from recycled black mass into the battery supply chain for energy storage systems, defense applications, and electric vehicles. Founded in 2026 and privately held, R3 Lithium is headquartered at 9176 Industrial Drive NE, Covington, Georgia. For more information, visit www.r3lithium.com.

Location: Covington, GA
Department: Operations
Employment Type/Shift: Full-Time, Hourly, Rotating Shift

Position Summary

R3 Lithium is seeking a safety-focused and highly motivated Production Technician to support the operation of a state-of-the-art EV battery and materials recovery facility. The Production Technician is responsible for operating, monitoring, and optimizing mechanical, chemical, and thermal processes used to recover valuable battery materials. This role plays a critical part in ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible production while maintaining high standards for quality, process performance, and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in an industrial manufacturing, chemical processing, metals processing, mining, battery, or related production environment and possess a strong commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Production Operations

• Operate, monitor, and control lithium battery materials recovery
• and materials recovery processes, including shredders, reactors, filtration systems, centrifuges, dryers, material handling systems, and packaging equipment.
• Monitor process parameters and adjust equipment controls to regulate temperature, pressure, flow rates, and chemical reactions to maintain production efficiency and product quality.
• Safely start up, shut down, and transition production equipment following standard operating procedures.
• Identify process deviations and implement corrective actions to maintain stable operating conditions.
• Support production schedules and achieve operational targets while maintaining product quality standards.

 Equipment Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Conduct routine inspections of process equipment, instrumentation, and utility systems to identify potential issues before they impact production.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, process, and operational problems to minimize downtime and maintain throughput.
• Assist with preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.
• Communicate equipment concerns and process abnormalities to maintenance and engineering teams.
• Support equipment commissioning, upgrades, and process improvement initiatives.

Quality Control & Documentation

• Collect process samples and conduct inspections of raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products to ensure compliance with quality specifications.
• Accurately document operating conditions, production data, test results, shift information, and process deviations.
• Maintain production records within company ERP, LIMS, and other operational systems.
• Assist with inventory tracking, material movements, material sampling and submission and production reporting requirements.

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)

• Strictly adhere to all company safety policies, environmental regulations, permit requirements, and standard operating procedures.
• Actively participate in the site's Environmental, Health, and Safety Management System.
• Identify, report, and assist in correcting unsafe conditions, hazards, near misses, incidents, and injuries.
• Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all lockout/tagout, confined space, chemical handling, and process safety procedures.
• Participate in safety meetings, emergency response exercises, training programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

 Continuous Improvement

• Support Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives to improve workplace organization, productivity, and safety.
• Work collaboratively with engineers, chemists, maintenance personnel, and quality teams to optimize processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, waste reduction, reliability enhancements, and cost savings.
• Contribute to a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and teamwork.

 Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years of experience in an industrial manufacturing (chemical processing, metals processing, lithium battery materials recovery) or related production environment.
• Experience operating industrial process equipment and understanding process control concepts.
• Ability to read and interpret operating procedures, P&IDs, technical documentation, and equipment diagrams.
• Working knowledge of process monitoring systems, production reporting tools, and computer-based operating systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively within a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, overtime, and holidays as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical certification in Chemical Technology, Process Technology, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field.
• Prior experience in chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, battery recycling, metals refining, mineral processing, or hazardous materials operations.
• Experience with interfacing and operating, SCADA, PLC, DCS, or
• Certifications such as:
• • HAZWOPER
  • RCRA
  • Forklift Operator
  • Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)
  • OSHA Safety Training
• Experience working within ISO, environmental compliance, or regulated manufacturing environments.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in manufacturing and industrial environments with exposure to dust, heat, cold, noise, chemicals, moving equipment, and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, climb stairs, and climb ladders throughout a 12-hour shift.
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds in accordance with OSHA lifting guidelines.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including:
• • Safety glasses
  • Hard hat
  • Steel-toed boots
  • Hearing protection
  • Chemical-resistant gloves
  • Respiratory protection, including half-face and full-face respirators as required
• Ability to safely operate forklifts and other mobile equipment.