Controls Engineer

Instrument/Electrical Engineer

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.

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Instrument/Electrical Engineer to join our dynamic team in a high-tech manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will play a key role in maintaining, designing, and optimizing electrical and instrumentation systems critical to our manufacturing operations. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the seamless operation, efficiency, and reliability of cutting-edge production equipment and processes.

The Instrument and Electrical Engineer will be responsible for developing and implementing innovative solutions, conducting system analysis, and providing technical expertise to support ongoing maintenance and upgrades of complex machinery and instrumentation systems. The role requires a strong foundation in electrical engineering principles, instrumentation design, and familiarity with automated control systems within a fast-paced, high-volume production setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, maintain, and optimize electrical and instrumentation systems to support advanced manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to control systems, instrumentation, and automation to minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and operations teams to identify system improvements and implement solutions.
• Perform system analysis, diagnostics, and testing to ensure equipment functionality, efficiency, and safety.
• Develop and support preventative maintenance programs and oversee their execution.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, industry regulations, and company policies in all engineering projects.
• Work with vendors and suppliers to select, procure, and integrate new technologies and systems as needed.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance equipment performance and system reliability.
• Prepare technical documentation, including system schematics, maintenance manuals, and technical reports.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency with control systems (e.g. Siemens), PLC programming, sensors, actuators, and other instrumentation technologies.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities with a focus on root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with industry-standard software for system design, simulation, and analysis (e.g., EPLAN, MATLAB, or similar tools).
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with industrial safety standards and regulatory compliance (e.g., ISO, IEC, NFPA, etc.) preferred.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience:
  
  Proven experience (3–5 years) in electrical engineering, instrumentation, or automation, preferably within a high-tech manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, move, sit, carry, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, lift, climb stairs and ladders, work in elevated platforms, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk and hear. May be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 40 pounds in weight.

Some work stress inherent to the position and extended work hours may be required.

Work Environment:

Work will mainly be conducted on the manufacturing floor. This may include exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity, moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, toxic chemicals, explosives, fumes, confined space, or airborne particles.

Personal protective equipment is required when performing work in the manufacturing plant environment, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and as needed, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves, Arc…