Director Metallurgical Development FMA

Freeport-McMoRan; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid time off

Tuition Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted insurance plans

Internal progression opportunities

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan in Phoenix, AZ seeks a senior metallurgy professional to drive improvements in processing plant performance. You will oversee ore characterization, act as QP for ore reserves, and lead flowsheet development for expansions involving major equipment sizing.

The role requires extensive mine-site experience, deep expertise across multiple metallurgy areas, and strong communication for cross‑functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

Qualifications

• BSc or BE with ten years of experience in mineral processing or related fields.
• At least 5 years of mine-site experience.
• Specialized technical expertise in three metallurgy-related areas and knowledge in four more areas (crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, smelting, hydrometallurgy, liquid-solid separation, tailings, materials handling, process modeling and simulation, statistical analysis, process automation, sampling and assaying, metallurgical accounting).
• Proficiency in speaking, listening, and writing English.

Responsibilities

• Drive value by improving metallurgical performance of processing plants for current and future operations.
• Oversee ore characterization and act as Qualified Person for SEC reporting of ore reserves.
• Develop process flowsheets for plant expansions including major equipment sizing, and coordinate with internal/external partners.
• Engage with teams to ensure alignment with design and automation objectives; evaluate new technologies.
• Maintain supplier relationships and support site personnel in resolving critical challenges.
• Prepare and present updates to executives and partners; develop technical materials for patents/conferences.

Skills

Metallurgy expertise

Crushing

Grinding

Flotation

Leaching

Smelting

Hydrometallurgy

Process modeling

Statistical analysis

Automation control

Sampling & assaying

Metallurgical accounting

Education

BSc/BE in mining/metallurgy

Job description

Why You Should Apply for This Job

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career.

Where You Will Work

Our global headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. Several hundred employees support global operations in finance, human resources, information technology, planning and more from the main office, satellite offices or online. As a Hybrid employee, you’ll engage in virtual collaboration as well as attend in-person meetings at our Collaboration Hub in Phoenix or at one of our site locations. The Collaboration Hub provides an open, flexible workspace for individuals and teams to come together for various business needs. Amenities at the Hub include a working café, phone booths and meeting rooms with technology tools for virtual and in-person collaboration. In‑person attendance may vary based on the position and department requirements.

Phoenix is the capital of the Grand Canyon State and enjoys mostly bright skies throughout the year. It is the perfect place if you enjoy the outdoors, love sports, concerts and other big city amenities or technology. There are great neighborhoods around Phoenix, with easy access to a major city, nature, the arts and many more amenities.

What You Will Do

This role is focused on driving value by improving the metallurgical performance of current and future processing plants, particularly for FMAmericas, including overseeing ore characterization, acting as the Qualified Person (QP) for SEC reporting of ore reserves, developing process flowsheets for plant expansions including major equipment sizing, engaging with internal teams and external engineering partners to ensure alignment with design and automation objectives, evaluating new technologies, maintaining supplier relationships, and supporting site personnel in resolving critical challenges.

• Strategic Planning: opportunity identification and framing, converting opportunities into projects for execution, gaining approval for new projects from stakeholders, and identifying resources to assist with project execution.
• Technology and Innovation: embracing and leaning into technology and innovation to add value and assessing strategic fit of various technologies.
• Project Execution: management of internal and external resources, accountability for achieving project schedule and cost outcomes, and regularly communicating project status and outcomes to stakeholders.
• Relationship Building: engagement with internal technical services, wider organization personnel, vendors, consultants, metallurgical labs, maintaining and expanding industry networks, and coaching and mentoring team members while managing performance.
• Other responsibilities: preparing and presenting updates to executive management and partners, preparing technical materials for patents and conferences, and organizing site and other visits.

What You Bring To Freeport

• BSc or BE with ten (10) years' experience in the mineral processing or engineering related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience at a mine site.
• Specialized technical expertise in three (3) metallurgy-related areas and good general knowledge in another four (4) metallurgy-related areas including crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, smelting, hydrometallurgy, liquid‑solid separation, tailings, materials handling, process modeling and simulation, statistical analysis, process automation control, sampling and assaying, and metallurgical accounting.
• Proficiency in speaking, listening, and writing English.
• Ability to travel 60-90 days per year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Mill Operations or Mill Technical Services manager.
• Working knowledge of the Spanish language.

What We Offer You

Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional incentive compensation considerations based on company and individual performance. Additionally, this position is currently eligible for annual long‑term incentive consideration. Long‑term incentives are contingent upon authorized approval under the terms and conditions of the Company's plan and award agreements. More details will be shared during the hiring process.

• Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits
• Company‑paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
• Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted insurance plans for auto, home and pet
• Internal progression opportunities

What We Require

• Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol‑free work environment using mandatory pre‑employment drug testing as allowed by applicable laws.
• International travel required (at least 2 times per year for 2 weeks at a time).
• Up to 25% domestic travel required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Freeport-McMoRan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Important Information

Please be advised Freeport-McMoRan will never request payment for job‑related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to [e-mail].