Plant Operation Project Manager

We are on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies are required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, and our battery grade lithium and tech metals are needed for chipsets, semiconductors, and 5G.

We have a substantial interest in the Round Top, Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals deposit in West Texas. We have also developed the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility and we own the only scalable, sintered neo‑magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing this fully integrated, US‑based “mine‑to‑magnet” critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading domestic supplier to these industries.

At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:

Build Solutions :
If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution‑oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world‑class solutions in sustainable ways.

Deliver Quality :
When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top‑tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.

Lead responsibly :
We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.

Win Together :
Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better.

The Plant Operation Project Manager is responsible for the full lifecycle management of capital projects supporting USA Rare Earth’s NdFeB magnet manufacturing facility. This role drives project setup and financial tracking in Microsoft Business Central, detailed scheduling in Smartsheet, vendor selection, budget reporting to Finance, and executive‑level project reporting. The role spans a diverse portfolio of engineering expansion, maintenance, R&D, new equipment installation, and plant upgrade projects.

The ideal candidate thrives in a high‑growth startup environment, brings strong financial and organizational acumen, and communicates complex project data with clarity to both technical teams and senior leadership.

• Set up and maintain projects in Microsoft Business Central, including project codes, cost centers, WBS structures, and budget allocations.
• Develop and manage detailed project schedules using Smartsheet across engineering expansion, maintenance, R&D, new equipment installation, and plant upgrade projects.
• Own project budget tracking and cost forecasting; prepare regular variance reports and financial summaries for the Finance team.
• Lead vendor selection processes including RFP/RFQ development, bid evaluation, technical and commercial comparisons, and contract award recommendations.
• Develop and deliver clear project status reports and executive dashboards covering scope, schedule, budget, and risk for leadership review.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams (Engineering, Operations, Finance, Procurement, EHS) to ensure alignment and timely decision‑making.
• Manage project scope, change order control, risk identification, and mitigation planning throughout project execution.
• Support commissioning and formal project closeout, including as‑built documentation, final cost reconciliation, and lessons‑learned capture.
• Ensure all capital projects comply with applicable safety, regulatory, and quality standards.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation…