I applied online. I interviewed at Phoenix Tailings (Burlington, MA) in Nov 2023
Interview
Interview process felt very disorganized. Lack of communication throughout the various steps. What annoyed me most is that I got through Stage 4 (out of 7), which is the "Hustle Test", or a "10 hour paid consulting project designed to solve a real problem and interact with the team at length"
I spent several days preparing a proposal via PowerPoint on ideas/methods regarding the harvesting of Nd via chloride molten salt electrolysis. Once I submitted my work, I heard nothing from the company. No payout, nothing. Feels like I was scammed.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
“As an engineering professional, imagine you are tasked with designing a liquid metal siphon system to harvest molten neodymium from an electrolytic cell. Keeping in mind the specific engineering parameters, such as temperature, viscosity, and flow rate, could you please draft a detailed diagram showcasing the key components and their connections? Additionally, how would you address any safety concerns related to handling the highly reactive neodymium metal and ensure efficient extraction from the electrolytic cell?”
