Foreman/Field Representative

USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR); Sierra Blanca (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth, Inc. is looking for an Owner’s Field Representative in Sierra Blanca, TX, responsible for overseeing contractor operations at the Round Top project. This role requires strong field judgment and a minimum of 7–10 years of open-pit mining experience.

The representative will monitor contractor performance, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance with safety standards. This is a full-time, permanent position with a focus on quality and safety within an outdoor desert environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of field experience in open-pit mining or heavy earthworks construction.
• Experience overseeing contractors in a supervisory or field representative capacity.
• Solid understanding of open-pit mining operations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and oversee contractor field operations daily.
• Conduct daily field inspections and document observations.
• Manage contractor relationships with authority and credibility.

Skills

Field judgment

Hands-on mining experience

Leadership presence

Communication skills

Job description

Who We Are

We are on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies are required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, and our battery grade lithium and tech metals are needed for chipsets, semiconductors, and 5G.

Our Capabilities

We have a substantial interest in the Round Top, Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals deposit in West Texas. We have also developed the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility and we own the only scalable, sintered neo‑magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing this fully integrated, US-based “mine‑to‑magnet” critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading domestic supplier to these industries.

What You Can Expect

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

• Build Solutions: We are creative and solution‑oriented, think outside the box to solve important problems, and work across sectors to deliver world‑class solutions in sustainable ways.
• Deliver Quality: We hold ourselves to the highest quality standards, move fast when executing, and put safety, quality, and excellence first.
• Lead Responsibly: We prioritize safety, incorporate sustainable practices, and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.
• Win Together: We communicate openly, work together, challenge each other and learn continuously.

Position Summary

The Owner’s Field Representative serves as USARE’s primary on‑site presence at the Round Top project. This long‑term, career‑track role will evolve with the project—from contractor oversight during the early works and pre‑construction phase, to 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.

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 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 escalate 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 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).

Work Environment

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.

Physical demands: 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 at [e-mail] to discuss reasonable accommodations.