Position Overview:MP Materials is seeking a hands-on Senior Engineer with responsibility for Powder Processing, Pressing, & Sintering to join the Magnet Technology group to support development technologies for advanced manufacturing to produce high-performance rare earth permanent magnets. The Senior Engineer will specialize in hands-on experimental magnetics research, which is anticipated to include casting, powder processing, pressing, sintering, recycling, and more. This includes custom setup design, experimental trials, and materials characterization (e.g., SEM, XRD, ICP, and LECO). This position will have responsibility for a broad range of initiatives, including design of materials for optimum performance, to manufacturing process development and optimization, and more. This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in returning an essential manufacturing capability to the USA.
Position Responsibilities:- Develop and optimize sintering and heat treatment profiles on prototype magnets assist with scaling manufacturing processes to production-scale.
- Lead and manage development projects, document, and communicate findings, and build team knowledge of current and future magnet research.
- Supervise technicians and junior engineers to ensure high-quality execution of experimental trials.
- Work closely with EHS to ensure that all work is done to ensure world-class health and safety, and full compliance with relevant environmental regulations.
- Engage external institutions including university researchers, strategic partners, and government laboratories to add value from new technologies and applied research.
- Represent MP Materials within the industry by publishing in technical and trade journals and presenting at conferences.
- Other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications:- Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgy, Physics, or related field.
- Experience with metallurgical or ceramic powder processing, heat treatments, and materials characterization methods.
- Deep understanding of materials, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
- Agile researcher, adept at identifying untested questions about materials and the interactions between processing, structure, and performance.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desired Qualities:- 10+ years of industry experience in pressing, sintering, and heat treatment of metals and/or ceramics.
- Experience with manufacturing rare earth materials and permanent magnets.
- Experience leading technical development projects, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.
- Experience with programming, modeling, and/or machine learning techniques and the ability to apply those skills to advance physical understanding of materials.
- Lifelong learner able and enthusiastic to apply existing skills and experiences to new problems.
