Manufacturing Project Engineer

USA Rare Earth, LLC

$70K — $95K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Industrial, or related field)
  • 2-4 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 is preferred
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering and project execution in industrial environments

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.
  • Conduct engineering reviews to support process improvements and facilitate facility expansion.
  • Track project performance; identify and mitigate risks and delays.
  • Analyze production and equipment data to enhance troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
  • Prepare technical documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, and project reports.
  • Coordinate with internal teams and external contractors to ensure effective project execution.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.
  • Significant involvement in transitioning pilot projects to commercial stages.
  • Cross-functional interaction with various teams and departments.
  • Exposure to capital projects and manufacturing scaling.
Full Job Description
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:

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Industrial, or related field).
  • 2-4 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.

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