Senior Operational Excellence Engineer
Freeport-McMoRan · Phoenix, AZ
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Base pay
- $101k–$141k
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
A senior continuous improvement role at Freeport-McMoRan (metals) in Phoenix, AZ. It is the perfect place if you enjoy the outdoors, love sports, concerts and other big city amenities or technology.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, FMEA, SAP
- Base pay
- $101k–$141k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in the US: typical posted base $105k–$150k. This one lists $101k–$141k.
Median of the low and high ends of 148 live postings that list pay, out of 393 continuous improvement openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Arizona plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 392 other live lean / ci postings in the US.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $101k–$144k, from 133 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Lean 85%
- Six Sigma 55%
- Kaizen 50%
- Value stream mapping 49%
- ✓ Root cause 46%
- 5S 33%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FMEA, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Freeport-McMoRan
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Freeport-McMoRan in Phoenix
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- Senior Maintenance Planning Engineering Specialist · Reliability · Senior
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Full description from Freeport-McMoRanAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You Will Do
Under limited supervision, drive and institutionalize data-informed decision making and shape performance optimization at scale while coaching leaders and teams to support high-impact business optimization initiatives and serving as a subject matter expert in transformational methodologies and engineering practices.
- ◆You will coach leaders, teams, and customers to independently run effective problem-solving, engineering analysis, and improvement routines.
- ◆Apply advanced tools and engineering methods to influence decisions, enable action, and sustain improvements.
- ◆As the Sr Operational Excellence Engineer, shape systems that enable scalable innovation beyond individual solutions.
- ◆In this role, proactively shape decisions, address concerns, and coach leaders and teams to apply structured thinking, engineering analysis, and storytelling to drive sustained action.
- ◆Influence and motivate changes in operational behaviors and processes, coaching others to establish structures and routines that sustain operational excellence at scale.
- ◆Facilitate and coach multiple high-performing teams and initiatives.
- ◆Establish and review KPIs using engineering analysis and data evaluation.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Mine Engineering and/or Mine Operations background
- ✓Leadership experience in Supervision and/or People Management
- ✓Experience in report and KPI creation and advanced data analysis using conventional and big-data methods
- ✓Proficiency with SAP, Business Objects, SQL, and Excel in a big data environment
- ✓Knowledge of operational processes, costs, schedules, and constraints to improve safety and efficiency
- ✓Strong collaboration skills with proven ability to drive results in team environments
- ✓Knowledge of equipment and associated SOPs at the site level
- ✓Ability to follow safety practices and recognize hazards
- ✓Strong written and verbal communication skills
- ✓Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and/or Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- ✓Experience developing and delivering training and documentation
- ✓Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, including mentoring
- ✓Persuasive communication and presentation skills
What We Offer You
The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $101,000-$141,000. This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional discretionary and incentive payment considerations based on company and individual performance. More details will be shared during the hiring process. Click here to view a sample of Total Rewards Estimate for this role.
- ✓Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits
- ✓Company-paid life and disability insurance
- ✓401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
- ✓Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave
- ✓Tuition Assistance
- ✓Employee Assistance Program
- ✓Discounted insurance plans for auto, home and pet
- ✓Internal progression opportunities
- ✓Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!
What We Require
Freeport
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Why You Should Apply for This Job
At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career. Apply Today!
Where You Will Work
Our global headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. Several hundred employees support global operations in finance, human resources, information technology, planning and more from the main office, satellite offices or online. As a Hybrid employee, you’ll engage in virtual collaboration as well as attend in-person meetings at our Collaboration Hub in Phoenix or at one of our site locations. The Collaboration Hub provides an open, flexible workspace for individuals and teams to come together for various business needs. Amenities at the Hub include a working café, phone booths and meeting rooms with technology tools for virtual and in-person collaboration. In-person attendance may vary based on the position and department requirements.
Phoenix is the capital of the Grand Canyon State and enjoys mostly bright skies throughout the year. It is the perfect place if you enjoy the outdoors, love sports, concerts and other big city amenities or technology. There are great neighborhoods around Phoenix, with easy access to a major city, nature, the arts and many more amenities.
What You Bring To Freeport
- •Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline and five (5) years related experience in engineering or related field
OR
- •Master’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline and three (3) years related experience in engineering or related field
- •Ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization
- •Passionate problem solver who succeeds in ambiguous situations and advocates for the best possible solution
- •Active coach and mentor focused on maximizing team potential
- •Strong communicator with emerging ability to communicate complex messages
- •Participant in prior business optimization teams with potential to become an expert in transformation methodologies
- •Unbiased facilitator with established and emerging leadership skills
- •Self-aware of cognitive biases and focused on building high performing teams and delivering outcomes
- •Challenger mindset with passion for innovation and change
- •Belief in a non-hierarchical culture of collaboration, transparency, and trust
- •Passion for understanding people and teams
- •Ability to learn quickly and navigate the organization to find experts
- •Ability to receive and act on developmental feedback quickly