MP Mine Operations LLC
Process Development Manager
MP Mine Operations LLC, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
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 Manager will lead a growing team of up to 20 chemists, chemical engineers, and technicians to support ongoing plant operations, as well as lead new innovations in process and product development. This role is responsible for experiment planning and execution to meet technical, schedule, and cost objectives in support of strategic business goals and customer requirements, with employee safety being paramount. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, sound technical expertise, and a collaborative mindset to drive process optimization and scale-up initiatives.This is a critical role in MP Material's mission of restoring the full rare earth supply chain to the USA as the company continues to expand its operational footprint and processing capabilities.
Position Responsibilities: Lead and supervise a growing team of up to 20 technical professionals in a fast-paced R&D environment. Provide technical guidance, mentorship, performance development, and professional growth for team members. Oversee the design, planning, and execution of experiments to support process innovation and optimization. Align experimental design and development schedules with business objectives and customer requirements. Collaborate with other plant operations and process engineering functional groups to ensure seamless technology transfer. Deliver technical support and troubleshooting expertise to chemical plant operations. Manage testing project timelines, resource allocation, and prioritization in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting. Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards in all development activities. Analyze data, guide the preparation of technical reports by team members, and present findings to stakeholders and senior leadership. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and foster a culture of innovation and accountability. Manage the R&D laboratory to ensure proper housekeeping, chemical inventory tracking, and asset accountability. Perform any other task as directed by management. Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or chemistry, Master's or Ph.D. preferred. 10+ years' experience in chemical engineering process development, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Strong project management skills and familiarity with stage-gate or similar development processes. Proficient in data analysis, experimental design, and technical reporting. Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
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.
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 Manager will lead a growing team of up to 20 chemists, chemical engineers, and technicians to support ongoing plant operations, as well as lead new innovations in process and product development. This role is responsible for experiment planning and execution to meet technical, schedule, and cost objectives in support of strategic business goals and customer requirements, with employee safety being paramount. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, sound technical expertise, and a collaborative mindset to drive process optimization and scale-up initiatives.This is a critical role in MP Material's mission of restoring the full rare earth supply chain to the USA as the company continues to expand its operational footprint and processing capabilities.
Position Responsibilities: Lead and supervise a growing team of up to 20 technical professionals in a fast-paced R&D environment. Provide technical guidance, mentorship, performance development, and professional growth for team members. Oversee the design, planning, and execution of experiments to support process innovation and optimization. Align experimental design and development schedules with business objectives and customer requirements. Collaborate with other plant operations and process engineering functional groups to ensure seamless technology transfer. Deliver technical support and troubleshooting expertise to chemical plant operations. Manage testing project timelines, resource allocation, and prioritization in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting. Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards in all development activities. Analyze data, guide the preparation of technical reports by team members, and present findings to stakeholders and senior leadership. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and foster a culture of innovation and accountability. Manage the R&D laboratory to ensure proper housekeeping, chemical inventory tracking, and asset accountability. Perform any other task as directed by management. Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or chemistry, Master's or Ph.D. preferred. 10+ years' experience in chemical engineering process development, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Strong project management skills and familiarity with stage-gate or similar development processes. Proficient in data analysis, experimental design, and technical reporting. Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
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.