Electrical & Instrumentation Technician
MP Materials · Mountain Pass, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at MP Materials (metals) in Mountain Pass, CA. Inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain electrical distribution equipment, including 12kV switchgear , transformers, MCCs, VFDs, and motor systems.
- They ask for
- 5+ years
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation
- 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
Maintenance Technician roles in California: typical posted base $72k–$116k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 161 maintenance technician openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 168 other live reliability postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (5+ vs 4+)
Typical $76k–$118k, from 14 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 40%
- Welding 34%
- ✓ PLC 33%
- Tooling 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Reliability team at MP Materials
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?
- 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: MP Materials in Mountain Pass
7 other open roles at this site.
- Reliability Engineer (ONSITE) · Reliability
- Facilities Technician · Reliability · Technician
- Senior Process Control Engineer-Onsite · Controls · Senior
- Process Engineer · Process
- Quality Engineer (ONSITE) · Quality
- Process Control Engineer (ONSITE) · Controls
Full description from MP MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
as needed.
Position
Responsibilities
- ◆Inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain electrical distribution equipment, including 12kV switchgear , transformers, MCCs, VFDs, and motor systems.
- ◆Perform installation and maintenance of 480V–208V industrial equipment, lighting, and branch circuits.
- ◆Maintain and diagnose 120V–24V control circuits , relays, and low‑voltage power supplies.
- ◆Conduct preventive maintenance, insulation testing, breaker testing, and arc flash safety checks.
- ◆Assist with electrical commissioning and startup of new equipment and systems.
- ◆Install, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair industrial instrumentation including:
- ◆Flow meters (Coriolis, magnetic, ultrasonic, turbine, differential pressure).
- ◆Level transmitters (radar, ultrasonic, DP, guided wave, float).
- ◆Pressure transmitters/switches.
- ◆Temperature sensors (RTDs, thermocouples).
- ◆Perform loop checks, control valve calibration, and signal verification (4–20mA, HART, Modbus, etc.).
- ◆Maintain PLC and DCS field devices, including input/output (I/O) modules and communication networks.
- ◆Support troubleshooting of automated systems, SCADA alarms, and instrumentation faults.
- ◆Execute and document preventive and predictive maintenance tasks.
- ◆Use computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to record work, parts usage, and corrective actions.
- ◆Assist engineering teams with system upgrades, reliability improvements, and root‑cause failure analysis.
- ◆Maintain spare parts inventories for electrical and instrumentation equipment.
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓3–5+ years of experience as an I/E Technician in an industrial setting (mining, chemical, manufacturing, utilities, oil & gas, or similar).
- ✓Valid Drivers License required to drive company vehicles on and off property.
- ✓Strong proficiency in maintaining power systems from 12kV distribution to 24V control circuits .
- ✓Experience with industrial instrumentation for flow, level, pressure , and temperature measurement.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, loop sheets, and wiring diagrams.
- ✓Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA, and industrial communication protocols.
- ✓Ability to work independently and respond to after‑hours callouts.
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, protectiv
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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 Electrical & Instrumentation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical distribution systems, process instrumentation, and control equipment across an industrial facility. This role supports reliable plant operations by ensuring safe and effective performance of systems ranging from 12kV power distribution down to 24V control circuits , as well as instrumentation for flow, level, pressure, temperature , and other critical process variables. This position also requires a flexible schedule, including rotating shifts, overtime, and on-call
Desired Qualities
- +Experience with Allen‑Bradley, Emerson, Siemens, Foxboro, or Yokogawa systems.
- +State or journeyman electrical certification.
- +Instrumentation certification (ISA, NCCER, etc.).
- +Experience in hazardous locations (Class I/Division 2, etc.).
- +NFPA 70E Training.
