Process Control Engineer (ONSITE)
MP Materials · Mountain Pass, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at MP Materials (metals) in Mountain Pass, CA.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree preferred
- 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
Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $127k–$179k.
Median of the low and high ends of 67 live postings that list pay, out of 124 controls engineer 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 123 other live controls postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $124k–$179k, from 64 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 68%
- ✓ Robotics 45%
- ✓ PLC 44%
- Python 35%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 34%
✓ = 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 Controls 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
- Electrical & Instrumentation Technician · Reliability · Technician
Full description from MP MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
that is shared amongst the controls group.
Position
Responsibilities
- ◆Work within the PLC/SCADA environment to support plant operations.
- ◆Update and develop new graphics within the SCADA GE iFix and Ignition HMI applications.
- ◆Utilize ladder logic, function block, and structured text programming languages in RSLogix.
- ◆Support DeviceNet, ControlNet, and Ethernet-based network infrastructure.
- ◆Troubleshoot issues with motors, valves, instruments, and various process equipment.
- ◆Troubleshoot issues with controls equipment including remote I/O panels, communications equipment (ie. network switches), SCADA servers, and operator workstations/thin clients.
- ◆Review engineering documents for capital and internal projects.
- ◆Follow site design, project management, and document control standards.
- ◆Work with process engineers to develop efficient control schemes and strategies that meet the
requirements
of the operation.
- ✓Manage the PI data historian tag configuration, graphical displays, and reports.
- ✓Work with Lead engineers to identify bottlenecks and create/implement solutions.
- ✓Complete any other tasks as needed or as directed by management.
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓BS degree in Engineering, or a related field, preferred.
- ✓3+ years of experience as a process control engineer in a chemical, mining, petroleum, or other industrial setting.
- ✓Demonstrated experience and competence with Rockwell Automation controls platforms, including hardware and software tools.
- ✓Demonstrated experience and competence with Ignition platform.
- ✓Experience with PFDs, P&IDs, control narratives, and instrumentation wiring diagrams.
- ✓Must be authorized to work in the United States.
- ✓A Valid Driver’s License and good driving record are required to drive company vehicles on the property.
- ✓Full-time Onsite.
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; 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 re
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Company Overview
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 Control Engineer supports plant operations PLC/SCADA infrastructure, participates in various capital projects, and provides expertise on various process improvement projects. This position will be responsible for interfacing with stakeholders including engineering, production, maintenance, utilities, IT, environmental, safety, management, and contractors. This is an onsite position, Monday through Friday, with off-shift on-call support
Desired Qualities
- +Work experience with iFix HMI platforms, Aveva Pi.
- +Hands-on experience with heavy industrial equipment troubleshooting.
- +Experience with process optimization/tuning of closed-loop control systems.
More Controls roles in California
- Nuclear ISFSI Maintenance & Work Control Specialist · Westinghouse Electric · San Clemente
- Operations Process Engineering Manager/Surgical Robotics-OTTAVA · Johnson & Johnson MedTech · Santa Clara
- Sr. Staff Embedded Controls Engineer Body Controls · Ford · Palo Alto
- Controls Engineer (m/w/d) · Avantor Sciences · Carpinteria
