Senior Engineer, Instrumentation

Senior Instrumentation Engineer

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.

Position Responsibilities:

• 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• 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.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP).
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects across different phases of design and execution.

MP Materials is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/women/disabled/veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position's requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.