Senior Project Engineer

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Mountain Pass, CA, US

6 days ago Requisition

Salary Range:$140,000 To $180,000 Annually

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.

The Senior Project Engineer will be a member of our Mountain Pass, CA mine business. This role supports the planning, coordination, and execution of capital projects to ensure they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. They work closely with project managers, engineers, contractors, and technical teams to track progress, resolve issues, coordinate RFI responses, and maintain quality standards.

The role involves reviewing technical documents, managing schedules and cost updates, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

• Responsible for project delivery across Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning functions.
• Assist with developing and regular updates to the project schedule.
• Proactively resolve performance, scope, and schedule issues with Contractors
• Supervises work to ensure it complies with the Initiation Task (project startup) List and PEP (Project Execution Plan)
• Monitor closure of all identified action items and manage risks and opportunities.
• Monitor procurement and contract process and progress throughout the project.
• Focus team on meeting milestones and other key project objectives.
• Incorporates safety, health, and environmental best practices and regulatory compliance into all engineering and project management activities, and ensures adherence to engineering principles, practices, and standards.

• B.S. or higher in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate information from engineering drawings and documentation.
• Ability to deal effectively and confidently with ambiguity, assess situations rapidly, and take quick and appropriate action.
• 10 to 15 years' experience in a project leadership role within industrial and/or high-tech manufacturing environments, including subject matter leadership for some combination of Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls, Materials, and/or Chemical disciplines.
• Medium to large sized capital project experience preferred.
• Familiarity or experience with commissioning and start-up of equipment and facilities.
• Must be able to understand and discuss cost estimates, budgets, actualized costs, forecasts, and schedules.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, Visio, Access, PowerPoint, MS Project)
• Demonstrated skill/knowledge in the following areas:
  Capital project management, Manufacturing plant support, Construction, Plant Engineering,…