Operational Excellence Engineer II
Freeport-McMoRan · Morenci, AZ
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Base pay
- $88k–$120k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 7 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Freeport-McMoRan (metals) in Morenci, AZ. In this role, you facilitate collaboration sessions involving brainstorming, fact-finding, design thinking, and problem solving to drive business improvement.
- They ask for
- degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, FMEA, SAP
- Base pay
- $88k–$120k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
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 $88k–$120k.
Median of the low and high ends of 139 live postings that list pay, out of 361 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 360 other live lean / ci postings in the US.
- Base pay
- About 15% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $101k–$144k, from 124 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 84%
- ✓ Six Sigma 54%
- Value stream mapping 48%
- Kaizen 48%
- ✓ Root cause 44%
- 5S 32%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FMEA, SAP, Python, 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Morenci
5 other open roles at this site.
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- Process Automation Engineer II · Controls
- Senior Process Automation Engineer · Controls · Senior
Full description from Freeport-McMoRanAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You Will Do
- ◆Under general supervision, interpret data and synthesize into recommended business action, lead performance optimization in execution and adoption of solutions. Demonstrate business improvement methodologies and engineering practices, and enable teams through leadership, mentoring, and coaching. In this role, you facilitate collaboration sessions involving brainstorming, fact-finding, design thinking, and problem solving to drive business improvement.
- ◆As the Operational Excellence Engineer II, you select and adapt appropriate problem-solving techniques and engineering analysis to inform decisions and deliver measurable impact.
- ◆While designing with a minimum viable product mindset and iterating with customer feedback to achieve desired outcomes and scalable solutions.
- ◆You will drive change by crafting clear narratives that connect purpose, strategy, and required actions and build communication capabilities of team members.
- ◆You influence and motivate operational behavior and process improvements to sustain results at scale while coaching teams to shape effective structures and routines.
- ◆Additionally, you review and establish key performance indicators based on engineering analysis and data evaluation. Perform other duties as requested
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Knowledge in probability, statistical analysis and reliability engineering.
- ✓Ability to research and analyze information of considerable complexity and draw valid conclusions.
- ✓Experience with software tools (SAP, Business Objects, R, Python, SQL and Excel in a big data environment, etc.)
- ✓Knowledge of the processes, costs, schedules, constraints and deliverables of assigned departments to improve safety, process efficiencies, production rates, cost controls and protection of the environment.
- ✓Collaboration skills and exposure to driving results in a team environment.
- ✓Knowledge of the equipment and associated SOPs at a department level.
- ✓Skilled in following safety practices and recognizing hazards.
- ✓Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- ✓Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and/or Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- ✓Basic industry knowledge of mining and processing, familiarity with mining terminology and credibility with the field.
- ✓Experience developing and delivering training and document writing
Leadership and interpersonal skills, including mentoring junior engineers/specialists
- ✓Lean/Six Sigma experience or certification
- ✓Persuasive speaking skills
What We Offer You
The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $87,500-$120,000 . 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.
- ✓Employees who are required to work on-site are eligible for a $750 monthly housing allowance, provided they meet program guidelines
- ✓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 pet, auto, home and vehicle
- ✓Internal progression opportunities
- ✓Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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
Located approximately 50 miles northeast of Safford, Arizona on U.S. Highway 191, Morenci operations (an open-pit copper mining complex) has been in continuous operation since 1939. The operation consists of two concentrators, crushed-ore leach pad and stacking system, a low-grade run-of-mine (ROM) leaching system; four SX plants; and three EW tank houses that produce copper cathode.
Morenci is a unique company town where our employees and their families can reconnect with nature through hiking, fishing, camping, hunting and numerous parks. The company offers several amenities, including company housing OR employees who are required to work on-site are eligible for a $750 monthly housing allowance, provided they meet program guidelines, a newly constructed daycare and community center, library, health-care facilities, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a movie theater and a skate park. Our dedicated Parks and Recreation Division plans activities for people of all ages, making sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit the Morenci town website to learn more.
What You Bring To Freeport
- •Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline, and (3) three years of Engineering or related experience.
OR
- •Master’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline and at least (1) one year of Engineering or related experience.
What We Require
- •Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.
- •Candidates must pass all required training and/or testing.
- •Employees may be required to work a non-standard schedule, which may include shift work (other than day shift) at a 24/7, 365-day operation.
- •Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going drug and alcohol testing, as allowed by applicable laws.
Please be advis
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