Job Description

Company Overview:

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is on a mission to restore the full rare earth supply chain to the United States of America. From electric cars to wind turbines and drones, rare earths are essential to the low-carbon, electrified technologies that power modern life. We hire ambitious, mission-driven people motivated to solve problems and affect change. Our values are grounded in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with an enduring commitment to our employees, community, and the environment. In the coming years, MP Materials will grow from a core materials and chemical processing company into a large industrial manufacturer. Our employees will lead this exciting transformation and grow professionally with us.

Position Overview:

The Process Engineer (II or Senior, depending on experience) will report to the Principal Engineer, Chlor-Alkali. They will collaborate with other plant engineers, supervisors, operators, departments, and management in the design and startup of new processing facilities, as well as the optimization of existing unit operations. The Process Engineer will monitor process and equipment control parameters, ensure on-spec production quality, and strive for uninterrupted operation. Process engineers investigate process upsets, develop new project scopes, and make recommendations to improve process safety, quality, efficiency, and profitability. This position’s area of operational focus will be in the brine treatment and chlor-alkali processing areas.

Position Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of the daily operations of the brine treatment and brine purification processes.
• Collaborate with up and downstream engineering and operations staff to understand and improve the performance of each operational unit.
• Utilize existing knowledge and have the drive & commitment to learn new methods for sodium chloride brine treatment, including reagent optimization, cation and anion precipitation, solid/liquid separation via thickening & filtration, TOC removal, and ion exchange.
• Integrate into the existing operational & commissioning teams to support the recommissioning and integration of the chlor-alkali processing facility into a semi-closed loop plant to process recycled brine from the rare earth processing facility.
• Create and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and process log sheets for new and existing production processes and operations; works with area trainers to effectively communicate materials to the operations group.
• Create and updated PFD's, P&ID's, mechanical and layout drawings, process control procedures, and design basis documentation.
• Provide technical training for operations personnel.
• Promote process safety and risk management.
• Track and present process key performance indicators (KPIs), update operating strategy and procedures based on KPIs for continual process improvement.
• Use statistical process control program and techniques to analyze process KPIs.
• Identify and create initial scopes for small capital process improvement projects; participate in various small and large capital project teams.
• Develop and communicate cost, benefit, and risk information on new process changes.
• Participate in the Management of Change process, creating and completing MOC projects.
• Participate in health & safety, environmental, product quality, and ISO 9001.
• Collaborate with the project management team, purchasing department, outside vendors, maintenance, contractors, operators, and other team members to complete projects and maintain current operations.
• Complete any other tasks as needed or as directed by management.

Other Functions:

• Use daily analytical lab reports for process monitoring and optimization.
• Track reagent and raw material usage, recording verified daily consumption in SAP.
• Maintains daily, weekly, monthly, and annual material and energy balance reports for various unit operations.
• May perform or direct laboratory test work as needed to investigate, troubleshoot, and improve plant operations.
• Assists with process planning and development to ensure quality products and safe conditions.
• AutoCAD, PI ProcessBook and DataLink experience desired but not required.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering
• Process Engineer II: 3-6 years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
• Senior Process Engineer: 6+ years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
• Valid Drivers License to drive company vehicles on and off property.

Desired Qualities:

• Prior experience with sodium chloride brine treatment, chlor-alkali, thickeners/clarifiers, slurry systems, dry solids handling, precipitation reactors, filter press, belt filter, and other various filtration technology, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, heat exchangers, cooling towers, instrumentation and process control automation, steam & power generation, reverse osmosis and deionization water treatment, evaporators, crystallizers, centrifuges.
• Excellent communication, verbal, and written skills.
• Ability to complete a task with minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail and quick to take on new tasks.
• Collaboration with fellow employees at all levels within the organization.
• Utilize document management software to review and modify PFD’s and P&ID’s.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), statistical software, AutoCAD, and PI ProcessBook.
• Ability to travel as needed.

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.

Your Right to Work – In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification document form upon hire.

For Assistance with Application - Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. Contact Human Resources Department at 702-844-6111; dial 7 when prompted for HR;1700 South Pavilion Center Dr. 8th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89135 to discuss reasonable accommodation.

Safety Provision - Employees are responsible for following all company, industry and regulatory procedures and laws to ensure a safe work environment for themselves and the company. Employees must have a willingness to promote safety among the workforce, participate in Process Hazard Analysis procedures and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews.

(PPE) Personal Protective Equipment is required when performing work in a mine, manufacturing, outdoor, or plant environment. Required PPE may include, but is not limited to, hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves, and any other protective equipment as required.

Working Conditions - Our facility sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Employees may be subject to extreme weather conditions when working in an outdoor setting (heat and cold, wind). Work is at an open pit mine or manufacturing/chemical plant setting, which may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, explosives, fumes, or airborne particles.

Physical Demands - Manual dexterity; sense of touch; sense of smell; speaking clearly; hearing-speech range; hearing – all ranges; seeing, reading and comprehensions; seeing – distant/near; depth perception; color vision. While performing the job responsibilities, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to stand and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel and to manipulate laboratory equipment. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employees must pass a full-face respiratory fit test. Employees must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to work in PPE level C. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required of the employee.