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.

About the role

MP Materials is seeking a hands-on Design Engineer to be an integral part of the team designing and building a new metal, alloy, and magnet-making facility. This is a rare opportunity to have a central role in the development of a greenfield advanced manufacturing facility, helping to define the future of American manufacturing. The ideal candidate is strongly mechanically inclined and a natural tinkerer.

The new facility will contain a broad range of chemical, mechanical, and thermal processes, including electrowinning, strip casting, powder production, pressing & sintering, machining, and assembly. The Design Engineer will need a diverse technical background to engage with a broad range of technical specialists, gaining a working understanding of the physical processes, key control metrics, and potential hazards involved. The successful candidate will pair design work with hands-on implementation to ensure everything works as intended initially and over time.

Responsibilities

• Member of the Physical Design Engineering team.
• Works closely with broader process engineering, controls engineering, and manufacturing teams to create automated processes with an integrated process flow.
• Supports and leads the design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning activities to deliver projects from concept to fully operational in the plant.
• Delivers finished designs, detailed drawings, and engineering specifications for supplier bidding, and leads vendor compliance efforts after purchase.
• Ability to lead Design Engineering technician(s) to achieve required tasks.
• Conducts and participates in technical design reviews, supplier evaluations, and internal and external compliance audits to relevant industrial standards (ASTM, ISO, etc.).
• Performs 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.
• Researches and implements automation systems, detailed design, component sourcing, manufacture, and deployment of manufacturing equipment.
• Works closely with EHS to ensure world-class health and safety and full compliance with relevant environmental regulations.
• Documents all work for seamless handoff to end users, prepares technical reports, and follows all corporate change management procedures.
• Leads and supports continuous improvement activities to produce ongoing, meaningful improvements to worker safety, process uptime, and product quality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BS or MS in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.
• At least 5 years of process design and automation experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge in automation of industrial processes and materials handling.
• Experience in machine design and testing.
• Knowledge of statistical process control and experience in designing control systems.
• Broad knowledge and experience across multiple CAD tools.
• Excellent spatial visualization and reasoning skills, with a history of conceiving successful creative designs for bespoke problems.
• Project management and hands-on approach to projects.
• Sound knowledge of process safety and a good understanding of human factors in manufacturing.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety precautions.