Manufacturing Project Engineer

Position Overview:

The Manufacturing Project Engineer supports a rare earth magnet production facility during a rapid scale-up phase within an early-stage public company. This role executes and coordinates capital and process engineering projects that enable pilot-to-commercial transition and future plant expansion. The position operates in a fast-paced high-growth environment with significant cross-functional interaction and increasing ownership as the engineering organization scales.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute manufacturing and capital projects across pilot scale-up and early production stages.
• Develop and manage project scope schedules budgets and deliverables.
• Support equipment installation commissioning and startup activities.
• Conduct engineering reviews to support process improvements and facility expansion.
• Track project performance; identify risks delays and corrective actions.
• Analyze production and equipment data to support troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
• Prepare technical documentation (PFDs P&IDs work instructions project reports).
• Coordinate internal teams and external contractors/vendors to ensure project execution.
• Support equipment selection specification and procurement.
• Ensure compliance with safety quality and regulatory standards in a public-company environment.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering and project execution in industrial environments.
• Experience in scale-up pilot plants or capital project delivery preferred.
• Familiarity with chemical metallurgical or materials processing systems a plus.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and process documentation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in operational settings.
• Effective communicator across engineering operations and vendor teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced high-growth environment.
• Proficiency with project tracking tools (e.g. MS Project Excel).

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering (Chemical Mechanical Materials Industrial or related field).
• 24 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or capital project environments.
• Experience in pilot-scale commissioning or scale-up environments preferred.
• Exposure to metals chemicals or advanced materials processing preferred.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk stand move sit carry bend kneel reach push pull lift use hands and fingers handle or feel and talk and hear. May be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 20 pounds in weight. Some work stress inherent to the position and extended work hours may be required.

Work Environment:

The work environment will be an office environment manufacturing floor and active construction site. Noise level: Normal office noises manufacturing noises construction noises

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties or skills required of personnel so classified. Reporting relationships may not reflect the most recent changes to the organization.

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities

USA Rare Earths policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal state and/or local laws.

For assistance applying for employment through this site due to disability please contact People & Culture to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Required Experience:

IC