Senior Instrumentation Engineer

Company Overview:

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. MP is rapidly evolving from a materials producer into a leading U.S. manufacturer—and our people are driving that transformation.

MP Materials is seeking a hands‑on, experienced Senior Instrumentation Engineer to join the team designing and building a state‑of‑the‑art greenfield facility for rare earth metals, alloys, and magnets. This is a high‑impact technical leadership role in shaping the instrumentation strategy for one of the most important advanced manufacturing facilities being developed in the U.S.

The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert (SME) in industrial instrumentation who can lead technical design, standardization, vendor engagement, and project execution. You’ll guide and mentor engineers, help set instrumentation philosophy across the site, and directly influence critical process, electrical, and automation design decisions. Your work will improve safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and environmental performance across the facility.

• Lead instrumentation engineering efforts throughout the full project lifecycle, from conceptual design through implementation, commissioning, and continuous improvement.
• Create and review detailed instrumentation specifications, requisitions, datasheets, and technical bid evaluations. Participate in vendor selection and inspection processes.
• Serve as the technical authority for instrumentation systems, ensuring alignment with internal standards, industry best practices, and process requirements.
• Perform in‑depth design reviews of vendor and contractor deliverables, identifying and resolving discrepancies during critical milestones to ensure compliance and reliability.
• Drive standardization and best practices across instrumentation systems, contributing to the development of global site‑wide instrumentation strategies.
• Collaborate closely with Process, Mechanical, Electrical, and Controls Engineering teams to ensure instrumentation is fully integrated into broader systems architecture.
• Partner with EHS teams to develop and implement validation and safety strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance and system robustness.
• Oversee the specification, sourcing, and implementation of instrumentation packages, coordinating with vendors and MP’s supply chain team to meet scope, budget, and schedule.
• Act as a mentor and technical leader to junior engineers—supporting knowledge transfer, design reviews, and professional development within the instrumentation team.
• Support or lead efforts to develop and maintain compliance with engineering codes, electrical standards, and hazardous area classifications.
• Champion a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement within the engineering function.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of relevant experience in the design, specification, configuration, and validation of industrial instrumentation systems.
• Proven experience reviewing and developing detailed design documents, including P&IDs, loop drawings, I/O lists, and instrument index documentation.
• Minimum 3 years of experience developing or contributing to instrumentation standards and best practices.
• Familiar it…