Foreman/Field Representative

USA Rare Earth; Sierra Blanca (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth is seeking an experienced Owner's Field Representative in Sierra Blanca, TX. This full-time position involves on-site oversight of the Round Top project, requiring 7–10 years of field experience in open-pit mining and contractor management.

The successful candidate will monitor contractor performance, enforce safety standards, and maintain strong relationships with field leadership. This role offers a long-term career track as the project transitions into full mining operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of field experience in open-pit mining or heavy earthworks construction.
• Solid understanding of open-pit mining operations: drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and oversee contractor field operations daily.
• Enforce project Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) standards on site.
• Serve as USARE's permanent on-site representative during active mining operations.

Skills

Field experience in open-pit mining

Contractor oversight

Knowledge of MSHA regulations

Communication skills

Job description

What you can expect

At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:

Build Solutions : If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution-oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world‑class solutions in sustainable ways.

Deliver Quality : When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top‑tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.

Lead responsibly : We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.

Win Together : Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better.

Position Summary

The Owner's Field Representative serves as USARE's primary on‑site presence at the Round Top project. This is a long‑term, career‑track role that will evolve with the project — beginning with contractor oversight during the early works and pre‑construction phase, and transitioning into full operational oversight of the mining contractor once production begins. The person in this role will be the owner's eyes and ears in the field at every stage of the project: from first dirt moved to steady‑state mining operations.

This role requires strong field judgment, hands‑on mining or construction experience, and the ability to manage contractor relationships with authority and credibility. No formal engineering degree is required, but deep operational knowledge and leadership presence are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Early Works & Pre‑Construction Phase

• Monitor and oversee contractor field operations daily, including earthworks, access road construction, site grading, and prepared pad construction
• Verify that contractor work conforms to approved drawings, specifications, and project schedules
• Conduct daily field inspections and document observations, progress, and non‑conformances
• Review and validate contractor quantity measurements for progress payment approval
• Enforce project Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) standards and MSHA regulations on site
• Maintain accurate daily field reports, photo documentation, and site logs
• Support mobilization logistics and site readiness activities

Mining Operations Phase (2028 onward)

• Serve as USARE's permanent on‑site representative during active open‑pit mining operations
• Oversee the mining contractor's day‑to‑day performance against production targets, schedules, and safety standards
• Review and approve contractor shift reports, production data, and equipment utilization records
• Monitor drill and blast (D&B) execution, load and haul cycles, and waste dump operations
• Identify operational inefficiencies, safety concerns, or contractor performance issues and elevate to the Director of Mining Engineering
• Act as the primary liaison between USARE project leadership and the contractor's site superintendent and management team
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contractor accountability throughout the life of the mine

Throughout All Phases

• Attend daily and weekly contractor coordination meetings
• Report field status, risks, and issues promptly to the Director of Mining Engineering
• Build and maintain a strong, professional working relationship with the contractor's field leadership

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of field experience in open‑pit mining or heavy earthworks construction
• Demonstrated experience overseeing contractors or subcontractors in a supervisory or field representative capacity
• Solid understanding of open‑pit mining operations: drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, and waste management
• Familiarity with construction drawings, specifications, and quantity measurement methods
• Working knowledge of MSHA regulations and site safety practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce clear daily field reports
• Willingness to be permanently based on‑site in Sierra Blanca, TX

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience on the owner's side of a mining or construction project
• Exposure to contract mining operations and contractor performance management
• Familiarity with earthworks and production payment reconciliation
• Experience with survey or quantity verification tools (drone‑based, GPS, or similar)

This is a full‑time, permanent position based on‑site at Round Top Mountain, Sierra Blanca, TX, in an outdoor desert environment with exposure to heat, dust, and remote conditions. The role grows with the project through construction and into full mining operations, with occasional travel required.

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.

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities

USA Rare Earth's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

For assistance applying for employment through this site due to disability, please contact Human Resources, [e-mail] to discuss reasonable accommodations.

The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate reporting structure.