Process Engineer
MP Materials · Mountain Pass, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at MP Materials (metals) in Mountain Pass, CA.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- SPC, ISO 9001, Robotics, Automation
- Day to day
- about 10% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $116k–$171k.
Median of the low and high ends of 70 live postings that list pay, out of 119 process 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 118 other live process postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $115k–$171k, from 68 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 46%
- ✓ SPC 28%
- DOE 24%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 24%
- New product launch 23%
- ✓ Team leadership 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 9001, Robotics, 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 Process 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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
- 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
- Quality Engineer (ONSITE) · Quality
- Process Control Engineer (ONSITE) · Controls
- Electrical & Instrumentation Technician · Reliability · Technician
Full description from MP MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Guide daily plant operations using engineering best practices.
- ◆Create and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and process log sheets for new and existing processes; work with area trainers to effectively communicate materials to the operations group.
- ◆Create and maintain PFDs, P&IDs, mechanical and layout drawings, process control procedures, and design basis documentation.
- ◆Provide technical training to operations personnel.
- ◆Promote process safety and manage risk through appropriate engineering and administrative controls.
- ◆Track and present key performance indicators (KPIs); update operating setpoints, strategy, and procedures based on KPIs for continual process improvement.
- ◆Use statistical process control programs and techniques to analyze process KPIs.
- ◆Identify and create preliminary technical scope packages for small capital projects; participate in the capital project lifecycle to ensure successful design and implementation.
- ◆Develop and communicate cost, benefits, and risk information on new process changes.
- ◆Participate in the Management of Change process, creating and executing MOC projects.
- ◆Participate in environmental, health, and safety initiatives, and ISO 9001.
- ◆Collaborate with the project management team, purchasing department, vendors, maintenance, contractors, operators, and other team members as needed to maintain safe, reliable operations.
- ◆Complete any other tasks as needed or as directed by management.
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
- ✓Process Engineer I: 0-3 years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
- ✓Process Engineer II: 3-6 years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
- ✓Senior Process Engineer: 6+ years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
- ✓Valid Drivers License to drive company vehicles on and off property.
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 followi
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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
There are four levels of process engineers in the Process Technology and Engineering Department, I, II, and Senior, all reporting to the area Lead Process Engineer. MP Materials is currently looking for levels I, II, and Senior Process Engineers. They will collaborate with other plant engineering staff, supervisors, operators, and management in the design, implementation, startup, and optimization of various new and existing unit operations, monitor daily process and equipment control parameters, and adjust as necessary to ensure safe production, quality, efficiency, and uninterrupted operation. Process engineers also investigate process upsets, develop conceptual engineering & initial capital project scopes, and make recommendations to improve process safety, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
Position
Desired Qualities
- +Prior experience with mills, flotation circuits, thickeners/clarifiers, slurry systems, dry solids handling, dissolution reactors, precipitation reactors, filter press, belt filter, and other various filtration technology, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, heat exchangers, cooling towers, instrumentation and process control automation, steam & power generation, reverse osmosis, water treatment, evaporators, crystallizers, centrifuges.
- +Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
- +Ability to complete a task with appropriate coaching and minimal supervision.
- +Ability to create, read, and modify PFD’s and P&ID’s, material & energy balances.
- +High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), statistical software, and PI ProcessBook.
- +Ability to travel as needed (< 10%).
- +Strong technical writing capability & attention to detail.
- +Valid Driver’s License to drive company vehicles on and off property.