Engineer, Metallurgical

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MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification. We are the only U.S. company with a fully integrated rare earth supply chain—from mining and refining to advanced metal and magnet manufacturing. Our products include both the critical materials used to make permanent magnets and the finished magnets themselves—enabling next‑generation technologies in robotics, automation, aerospace, transportation, defense, and energy systems.

These materials are the foundation of physical AI—the convergence of computation, movement, and control. We hire ambitious, mission‑driven people who want to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of strategic industries. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with a deep commitment to operational excellence and national purpose.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated characterization‑minded Engineer to join the Magnet Technology group to support development technologies for advanced manufacturing to produce high‑performance rare earth permanent magnets. The Engineer will be responsible for developing, validating, and optimizing methods to characterize metallurgical and magnetic specimens, including SEM‑EDS, EBSD, XRD, metallography, DSC/TGA, mechanical testing, dilatometry, magnetometry, and more. This position will have responsibility for a broad range of initiatives, including ensuring data integrity and supporting various development projects.

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in returning an essential manufacturing capability to the USA.

• Develop, validate, optimize, and troubleshoot methods for SEM‑EDS, EBSD, XRD, metallography, DSC/TGA, mechanical testing, dilatometry, magnetometry, and more.
• Perform advanced and routine analyses on rare‑earth magnet and related specimens, ensuring accurate and reliable results.
• Collaborate with process development and R&D teams to develop advanced specialty characterization solutions to satisfy internal or customer needs.
• Automate routine data analysis by developing custom codes to draw actionable insights and guide decision‑making.
• Troubleshoot instrument performance issues and perform routine maintenance and calibration.
• Interpret and review analytical data with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Clearly document and communicate results and methods, including creation of reports and standard work instructions.
• Train and mentor technicians.
• Work closely with EHS to ensure that all work is done according to industry‑leading health and safety standards, and in full compliance with relevant environmental regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

• B.S. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 3–5 years of direct experience in a materials science or metallurgy lab, operating and/or developing methods for SEM‑EDS, EBSD, metallographic sample preparation, XRD, DSC/TGA, dilatometry, and/or mechanical testing.
• Strong understanding of materials characterization and structure‑property relationships in inorganic materials.
• Familiarity with computer programming (Python preferred) and statistical software for materials science data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience working in an R&D environment with a proven track record of developing, optimizing, and validating new analytical methods.
• Experience with characterizing rare earth materials and permanent magnets.
• Strong expertise in one or more of the following techniques: SEM‑EDS, EBSD, EPMA, XRD, DSC/TGA, dilatometry, mechanical testing, and magnetometry (hysteresis graph, PFM).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience leading technical development projects, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated creativity and problem‑solving in driving the development of innovative solutions to…