Design Engineer IV

Socket.dev; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MP Materials is seeking a hands-on Design Engineer to help design and build a greenfield metal, alloy, and magnet-making facility. The role requires strong mechanical skills, a willingness to work hands-on, and the ability to coordinate with process, controls, and manufacturing teams to define equipment, layout, and automation strategies.

The successful candidate will lead design and commissioning activities, perform CAD/FEA simulations, and ensure safety and environmental compliance throughout

Qualifications

• BS or MS in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years process design and automation experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in machine design and testing.
• Knowledge of statistical process control and designing control systems.
• Broad knowledge across multiple CAD tools.
• Excellent spatial visualization and hands-on problem solving.
• Project management and proactive approach to projects.
• Understanding of Process Safety and human factors in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Be a member of the Physical Design Engineering team and collaborate across disciplines.
• Lead design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning activities from concept to operation.
• Deliver finished designs, drawings, and specs for supplier bidding and vendor compliance.
• Guide Design Engineering technicians and conduct design reviews and audits.
• Perform CAD, FEA, and durability simulations to support prototypes and commissioning.
• Research and implement automation, equipment design, sourcing, and deployment.
• Ensure world-class health, safety, and environmental compliance with EHS.
• Document work for handoff, prepare technical reports, and manage changes.
• Drive continuous improvements in safety, uptime, and product quality.

Skills

Process design

Automation

Machine design

Control systems

Statistical process control

CAD tools

Project management

Safety awareness

Education

BS in mechanical/chemical engineering

MS in related field

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Company Overview:

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification.

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:

MP Materials is seeking a hands-on Design Engineer to be an integral part of the team designing and building a new metal, alloy, and magnet-making facility. This is a rare opportunity to have a central role in the development of a greenfield advanced manufacturing facility, and helping to define the future of American manufacturing. The ideal candidate is strongly mechanically inclined, and a natural tinkerer. This position will require a combination of both strong technical skills to design the machines needed for material movement and plant layout, and a hands-on nature to ensure that the successful sourcing, construction, and commissioning of the designs.

The new facility will contain a broad range of chemical, mechanical, and thermal processes, including electrowinning, strip casting, powder production, pressing & sintering, machining, and assembly. Because of the broad range of processes in use, it is important that the Design Engineer have a diverse technical background with the ability to engage with a broad range of technical specialists and gain a working understanding of the physical processes, key control metrics, and potential hazards involved. The successful candidate will also be passionate about pairing design work with much of the actual “dirty hands” work to ensure that everything works as intended initially and over time.

Position Responsibilities:

• Member of the Physical Design Engineering team.
• Works closely with broader process engineering, controls engineering, and manufacturing teams to create automated processes with an integrated process flow.
• Supports and leads the design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning activities to deliver projects from concept to fully operational in the plant.
• Delivers finished designs, detailed drawings, and engineering specifications for supplier bidding, and leads vendor compliance efforts after purchase.
• Ability to lead Design Engineering technician(s) to achieve required tasks.
• Conducts and participates in technical design reviews, supplier evaluations and internal and external compliance audits to relevant industrial standards (ASTM, ISO etc).
• Perform CAD, FEA, and durability simulations as required of concept designs to provide recommendations for physical prototype candidates, execute testing, and ensure successful commissioning and ongoing operation.
• Research and implement automation systems, detailed design, component sourcing, manufacture, and deployment of manufacturing equipment.
• Works closely with EHS to ensure that all work is done to ensure world class health and safety, and full compliance with relevant environmental regulations.
• Documents all work for seamless handoff to end users, prepares technical reports, and follows all corporate change management procedures.
• Lead and support continuous improvement activities to produce ongoing, meaningful improvements to worker safety, process uptime, and product quality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS or MS in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.
• At least 5 years process design and automation experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge in automation of industrial processes and materials handling.
• Experience in machine design and testing.
• Knowledge of statistical process control, and experience in designing control systems.
• Broad knowledge and experience across multiple CAD tools.
• Excellent spatial visualization and reasoning skills, with a history of conceiving of successful creative designs for bespoke problems.
• Project Management and hands-on approach to projects.
• Sound knowledge of Process Safety.
• Good understanding of human factors in manufacturing.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety precautions.

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

- EEO is The Law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/Women/Disabled/Veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position’s 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.