Director Process Engineering, Automation, & Instrumentation

Freeport McMoRan Inc.

Phoenix (AZ)

Hybrid

USD 180,000 - 240,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance program

Discounted insurance plans

Career progression

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. seeks a Director of Process Engineering, Automation, & Instrumentation to lead capital project outcomes from concept through commissioning.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams, align technical talent, and drive safety, reliability, and performance across projects in a hybrid work environment based in Phoenix, AZ. The role requires 15 years in process/controls/automation with strong leadership, communication, and EPC/EPCM collaboration.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Electrical Engineering with 15 years in process/controls/automation.
Five years of leadership experience managing engineering teams.
Experience delivering capital projects in technical functions.
Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams by process area.
Experience with EPC/EPCM contractors on large-scale projects.

Responsibilities

Lead engineering outcomes across capital projects from concept through commissioning.
Coordinate cross-functional teams and deploy talent for project execution.
Drive process safety, reliability, and efficiency across projects.
Define process control philosophies and integrate DCS/PLC/SCADA.
Ensure compliance with standards while balancing safety, cost and schedule.
Provide technical leadership across full lifecycle.

Skills

Process Engineering

Process Automation

Instrumentation

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

DCS/SCADA

PLC programming

Instrumentation design

APC / digital transformation tools

Job description

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Title: Director Process Engineering, Automation, & Instrumentation

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

Lead project engineering outcomes across a portfolio of capital projects, providing technical leadership in Process Engineering, Process Automation, and Instrumentation disciplines. Oversee the delivery lifecycle from concept and design through commissioning and operational ramp-up, ensuring projects achieve performance targets and reach nameplate capacity. Coordinate and align cross-functional teams, strategically deploy technical talent to maximize project execution success, and foster collaboration across operations, project delivery teams, and external engineering partners. Drive engineering consistency, innovation, and continuous improvement while ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient project delivery.

Develop and execute enterprise-wide Process Engineering, Automation, and Instrumentation strategies that support business objectives and operational excellence.
Prioritize project portfolio investments and strategically allocate engineering resources based on project risk, complexity, and stage of development.
Lead, coach, and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and timely decision-making.
Provide oversight of process design activities, including flowsheets, mass and energy balances, while driving improvements in plant performance, recovery, throughput, and efficiency.
Lead Process Safety Management (PSM) programs and hazard assessment activities throughout engineering, construction, commissioning, start-up, and operational phases.
Establish continuous improvement processes that leverage operational feedback to optimize designs, enhance reliability, and prevent recurring issues.
Develop and standardize instrumentation strategies, ensuring effective specification, implementation, commissioning, start-up, and operational readiness across projects.
Define process control philosophies, oversee integration of DCS, PLC, and SCADA systems, and champion advanced digital technologies, including APC and predictive analytics, through strong IT/OT partnerships.
Provide technical leadership across the full project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and regulatory requirements while achieving safety, cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
Perform other duties as required.

What You Bring To Freeport

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline and fifteen (15) years experience in process engineering, controls, or automation within industrial environments (mining, metals, oil & gas, or chemical processing); including
Five (5) years of leadership experience managing engineering teams
Demonstrated experience supporting capital project delivery in the technical functions
Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to influence across functions
Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities
Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving abilities
Ability to build and lead cross-functional teams where engineers report by process area, not discipline
Experience scaling engineering teams across multiple concurrent mega-projects
Ability to operate effectively in a complex, matrixed organization
Commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Engineering or related field
Deep expertise in process control systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA) and instrumentation design
Experience with advanced process control, optimization, and digital transformation initiatives
Strong knowledge of process safety and risk management practices
Experience working with EPC/EPCM contractors on large-scale projects
Experience scaling engineering teams across multiple concurrent mega-projects

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.