Full-Time
Carbonyl Operator
Westwin Elements
51-200 employees
Localizes nickel refining; secures domestic supply
No salary listed
Lawton, OK, USA
In Person
 Process Engineering |
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- Must have hands-on experience in the carbonyl refining process, particularly in the production or handling of nickel carbonyl compounds.
- Minimum 2–3 years of experience in a chemical, metallurgical, or refining plant environment.
- Familiarity with nickel carbonyl formation and decomposition processes.
- Understanding of high-pressure gas systems, reactor operations, and thermal decomposition units.
- Ability to monitor and control automated process systems (DCS/PLC).
- Knowledge of hazardous material handling, especially toxic gases like carbon monoxide.
- Willingness to relocate.
- Safely operate and monitor the nickel carbonyl process, ensuring high-purity nickel product production.
- Strictly adhere to safety protocols and guidelines for a secure working environment. Perform routine inspections, troubleshoot equipment, and coordinate repairs.
- Monitor process parameters and adjust as necessary for efficiency and quality.
- Conduct quality checks on the nickel carbonyl product.
- Ensure environmental compliance regarding emissions, waste, and pollution control.
- Respond to emergency situations following established procedures.
- Maintain accurate records of process data, production, maintenance, and safety.
- Collaborate with colleagues to optimize process performance.
- Prior experience with carbonyl refining, gas-phase reactions, or nickel processing is highly desirable.
Westwin Elements is a nickel refining company focused on addressing the United States’ reliance on imported nickel. It operates as America’s only major nickel refinery, aiming to localize the entire refining process within the U.S. so that Class 1 nickel products are produced domestically. The product works by taking nickel ore and refining it into high-purity Class 1 nickel, with an emphasis on traceability, ethical sourcing, and ESG compliance across the supply chain. This sets Westwin apart from competitors by building a domestic, secure supply chain that reduces exposure to foreign entities of concern and minimizes ESG risks associated with global nickel sourcing. Westwin’s goal is to expand domestic refining capacity to meet rising demand, lower import dependency, and ensure a transparent, equitable distribution of profits among supply chain stakeholders.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$10M
Headquarters
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Founded
2022
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Phase 1 production ramps to 18,000 tpa high-purity nickel by 2027 at Lawton facility.
- Traxys commits best efforts for $35 million credit facility post-due diligence.
- Active discussions with defense, aerospace customers for remaining production volumes.
What critics are saying
- Native Americans block Lawton refinery over climate hazards, halting October 2025 groundbreaking.
- Vulcan Elements grabs $1.4 billion DoD funding, diverting nickel federal support in 6-12 months.
- Traxys withholds $35 million loan after due diligence, defaulting $1.7 billion offtakes in 12-24 months.
What makes Westwin Elements unique
- Westwin Elements builds America's first nickel refinery producing high-purity Class 1 nickel briquettes.
- Secured $1.4 billion seven-year offtake agreements with Traxys for 10,000 tpa nickel.
- Sells 80% of projected output under binding take-or-pay deals totaling $1.7 billion.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Hybrid Work Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 1%1 year growth
↑ 11%2 year growth
↑ 38%Westwin Elements, America's first nickel refinery, has secured $1.4 billion in long-term deals with Traxys, boosting the domestic critical minerals supply chain and reducing import reliance.
Westwin Elements, metal refinery intended to offer automakers an option for locally processed materials for electric vehicle batteries, raised $80 million of angel funding from investors on June 12, 2025.
Research scientists found that Native Americans fear construction of a cobalt/nickel refinery by Bartlesville-based startup Westwin Elements Inc. will lead to just that.
Westwin Elements has announced plans to build the pilot plant - and later a full-scale refinery valued at $732.5 million - on acreage located on the south side of West Lee Boulevard, immediately south of the Goodyear plant in the west industrial park.
Bartlesville-based Westwin Elements, a year-old startup, said it is working on plant design with Ambler Architects, also based in Bartlesville.