Senior Design Engineer

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.

MP Materials is seeking a hands‑on Senior Design Engineer to play a central role in designing and building a new metal, alloy, and magnet‑making facility. This rare opportunity involves a greenfield advanced manufacturing plant that spans chemical, mechanical, and thermal processes such as electrowinning, strip casting, powder production, pressing & sintering, machining, and assembly. The Senior Design Engineer must combine strong technical skills with a hands‑on approach to ensure successful sourcing, construction, commissioning, and long‑term operation.

• Contribute to the Physical Design Engineering team as a senior member.
• Work closely with process engineering, controls engineering, and manufacturing teams to create automated processes with an integrated process flow.
• Deliver finished designs, detailed drawings, and engineering specifications for supplier bidding, and lead vendor compliance efforts after purchase.
• Support and lead the design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning activities to deliver projects from concept to fully operational in the plant.
• Lead and mentor engineers and specialists.
• Conduct and participate in technical design reviews, supplier evaluations, and internal and external compliance audits to relevant industrial standards (ASTM, ISO, etc.).
• Perform CAD, FEA, and durability simulations as required of concept designs to provide recommendations for physical prototype candidates, execute testing, and ensure successful commissioning and ongoing operation.
• Review team designs and apply PE stamp as required.
• Research and implement automation systems, detailed designs; and direct component sourcing, fabrication, and deployment of manufacturing equipment.
• Work closely with EHS to ensure work meets world‑class health and safety standards and complies with environmental regulations.
• Document all work for seamless handoff to end users, prepare technical reports, and follow all corporate change management procedures.
• Lead and support continuous improvement activities to produce ongoing, meaningful improvements to worker safety, process uptime, and product quality.
• Other duties as assigned.

• BS or MS in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.
• At least 7 years of process design and automation experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of automation of industrial processes and materials handling.
• Experience in machine design and testing.
• Knowledge of statistical process control and experience designing control systems.
• Excellent spatial visualization and reasoning skills, with a history of conceiving successful creative designs for bespoke problems.
• Broad knowledge and experience across multiple CAD tools.
• Project management experience and a hands‑on approach to projects.
• Expert level user of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of process safety.
• Good understanding of human factors in manufacturing.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.

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.