Product Development Manager -Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF)

Product Development Manager – Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF)

Role type: Full-time, permanent

Location: Cambridge, with travel to Cardiff/ other EAF sites as required

About Reclinker

Reclinker is a fast-growing climate-tech startup transforming cement recycling. Our technology is centred on making cementitious products using steelmaking electric arc furnaces (EAF), using our proprietary co-production process. We are preparing to launch our first product to market and are entering a critical phase of rapid scale-up in both production capacity and commercial traction.

We are looking for people who are committed to - and consistently demonstrate - our company values of:

Role description

We are hiring a Product Development Manager to lead the development of Reclinker’s EAF-derived cementitious products as we bring our first product to market and scale production.

This is a hands-on, technical role focused on translating research into commercially viable products and processes. You will support the ongoing optimisation and deployment of Reclinker’s existing ‘LEAF’ product, while leading the development of next-generation low-carbon clinker and Portland clinker products made using electric arc furnaces.

We’re looking for someone who has a strong, practical knowledge of steelmaking using electric arc furnaces, and strength in delivering innovation. You will lead the technical aspects of product and process development from concept through to industrial deployment. This will involve the design and development of fluxes, electric arc furnace operating protocols for cement making, and slag handling and processing practices. To do so, you will shape experimental programmes, scale production processes, and support pilot projects with our EAF operators, and other external partners. Strong modelling skills to determine trade-offs will enable you to deliver solutions that meet performance, cost, and carbon requirements and targets across steel and cement outputs, fostering collaboration to deliver success.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys applying technical expertise in real-world settings and wants to help scale impactful, low-carbon cement technologies.

You will report to our Chief Product Officer (Pippa Horton), and work closely with research, engineering, and operations teams to deliver successful product outcomes.

Key responsibilities

Product & process development:

Lead technical development of EAF-derived cementitious products from concept to commercialisation:

•Enhance existing and define new EAF slag product solutions that meet targets for cost, carbon, quality, and scalability:

o Flux innovations and recipes

o EAF operating protocols for cement making

o Slag handling and processing practices.

•Model EAF and slag technicalities to inform these solutions (chemistry, mass balance, thermodynamics, kinetics, etc.), with support from the research team

•Work with operations teams to define production processes from lab to pilot and industrial environments, and support on site deployment.

•Support techno-economic and LCA assessments and business case development.

Research integration & innovation

Scope and guide experimental programmes for Portland clinker production:

•Collaborate with research teams to apply scientific insights to product development outcomes.

•Contribute to the innovation pipeline and support IP development and protection.

Materials & by-product valorisation

Identify and evaluate opportunities to valorise further EAF by-products (e.g. slags, dusts, metallics) as part of our Reclinker process:

•Lead material characterisation, separation trials, and feasibility assessments.

•Collaborate with partners to develop and scale new material utilisation pathways.

Market expansion & deployment

Identify wider EAF product innovation opportunities to increase the value proposition for current and future EAF partners, and support expansion to new sites:

•Evaluate and recommend new technical opportunities to enhance the EAF value proposition.

•Support feasibility assessment and selection of future EAF sites for technology deployment.

•Contribute to pilot delivery, technical due diligence, and implementation across EAFs.

Project management & cross-functional collaboration

Maintain clear technical documentation and ensure knowledge sharing across research, commercial, and operations teams to ensure aligned product development.

•Manage development pipelines, tracking progress against milestones and KPIs.

•Work effectively with external stakeholders, including EAF operators and research partners.

•Provide technical support for customer engagement, pilots, and market expansion.

Requirements

We know that no candidate will meet every requirement. If this role excites you and you believe you can make a strong impact at Reclinker, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications:

•Degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.

•Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) is advantageous but not required.

Knowledge and experience:

•Strong understanding of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking processes, including raw materials, furnace operation, and by-product generation.

•In-depth knowledge of EAF slag properties, behaviour, and variability, and their implications for downstream use.

•Experience working with EAF materials (e.g. slag, dust, metallics) and their processing, treatment, or utilisation.

•Experience in product or process development, ideally taking technologies from lab through to pilot or industrial scale.

•Familiarity with experimental design, material characterisation analysis techniques (XRF, XRD, TGA, SEM), and data-driven development.

•Experience in cement, concrete, or construction materials, particularly in relation to clinker or supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), is highly desirable.

•Exposure to techno-economic analysis, Lifecycle Assessments, or industrial deployment is beneficial.

Skills and abilities:

•Strong technical problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply EAF and materials knowledge to product development challenges.

•Data-driven mindset, with confidence interpreting and using data to inform decisions.

•Ability to operate in a hands-on, fast-paced environment, and take proactive ownership of technical workstreams.

•Effective communicator and collaborator, able to work across research, engineering, and commercial teams. Comfortable working with external partners, particularly steel producers.

•Organised and structured, with the ability to manage across multiple priorities and projects.

Compensation & benefits:

Salary: £45k – £60k (depending on experience)

33 days annual leave inclusive of UK bank holidays

Private medical insurance (optional)

Pension contribution (auto-enrolment, with scope to enhance)

Flexible / hybrid working