Solvent Extraction Superintendent

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Mountain Pass, CA, US

5 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $ To $ 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 Solvent Extraction (SX) Superintendent is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of multiple rare earth separation facilities across site operations. This position provides leadership and direction to SX operations teams while driving operational excellence, process optimization, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The SX Superintendent works closely with all operations, maintenance, engineering, metallurgy, EHS, and project teams to ensure production targets, quality standards, and safety expectations are consistently achieved. This role is responsible for building strong frontline leadership, developing operating discipline, and ensuring sustainable performance across all SX areas.

• Lead and manage all day-to-day SX operations activities across multiple SX circuits and operating areas.
• Provide after-hours leadership support to ensure uninterrupted production and timely resolution of operational disruptions.
• Ensure prompt response to production escalations and coordination of resources to address production issues.
• Drive a strong safety culture through visible field leadership, operational discipline, hazard recognition, and compliance with all MSHA, Cal-OSHA, and company safety standards.
• Provide leadership and direction to supervisors, operators, and support personnel while promoting accountability and team development.
• Partner with maintenance and reliability teams to improve equipment uptime, reduce operational disruptions, and prioritize critical repairs.
• Collaborate with metallurgical and technical teams to optimize SX performance, improve recoveries, and reduce process variability.
• Monitor and analyze operational KPIs including throughput, recovery, reagent consumption, organic losses, downtime, and production efficiency.
• Support commissioning, startup, and ramp-up activities for new SX circuits and expansion projects.
• Ensure operating procedures, standards, and best practices are developed, maintained, and consistently followed.
• Support workforce development through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and operational training initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts including 5S, operational excellence, process optimization, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Participate in budgeting, manpower planning, and operational resource allocation.
• Maintain strong field presence and engagement with frontline teams to reinforce expectations and operational priorities.

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in solvent extraction operations, hydrometallurgical processing, chemical processing, or related industrial operations.
• Minimum of 5+ years of leadership experience in a supervisor or superintendent-level role.
• Strong working knowledge of solvent extraction principles, process control strategies, and hydrometallurgical operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through…