Process Development Engineer

Company Overview:

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.

Position Overview:

The Process Development Engineer will have the unique opportunity to oversee and participate in industry-leading research on rare earth processing, with the opportunity to put these learnings into commercial-scale operation. The Process Development Engineer will work to develop novel techniques as well as perform R&D aimed at improving and expanding the company’s existing rare earth processing capabilities. The Process Development Engineer will work in a fast-paced, and will collaborate with other process development engineering staff, with process engineers, analytical chemists, operators, and management in the development, design, implementation, startup, and optimization of various unit operations.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop processes and products utilizing rare earth elements.
• Perform research on existing technology, processes, and products.
• Explore new process technologies and investigate their applicability in rare earth processing.
• Conceive, assemble, and execute laboratory scale, pilot scale, and plant scale testing and experiments to produce conclusive outcomes.
• Promote process safety and risk management, while participating in quality and environmental management systems.
• Coordinate with operations personnel on implementation of new processes.
• Develop and communicate cost, benefit, and risk information on processes and products.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field. ABET accredited institution preferred.
• Minimum 2 years work experience in a Chemical, Mining, Petroleum or heavy industrial setting preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License and a good driving record are required to drive company vehicles on and off property.

Desired Qualities:

• Some experience in process and/or product development desirable.
• Experience or knowledge of leaching, clarification, filtration, ion exchange, solvent extraction, precipitation, CSTRs, evaporation, crystallization, drying, calcining, solids handling, scrubbers.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Ability to complete a task with minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail and ability to learn new duties.
• Ability to work in teams with strong collaboration skills.
• Ability to work with people at all levels within the organization.
• Ability to create, read and modify PFD’s and P&ID’s.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint).
• Experience with Process Modeling & Simulation Software a plus (Aspen, Matlab / Simulink, SysCAD).
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Ability to write technical SOP’s.
• Must thrive in a high stress start-up environment.
• Must be able to meet critical deadlines.

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 ...; 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.