Innovation Engineer II

Freeport McMoRan Inc.; Morenci (AZ); On-site; USD 93,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing allowance

Medical, dental & vision

Life and disability insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted insurance plans

Internal progression opportunities

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is seeking an Innovation Engineer II to monitor reliability and production, lead innovation rollouts, and establish KPIs using engineering data analyses. The role emphasizes problem solving, cross‑site learning, and mentoring junior engineers.

The ideal candidate has an engineering degree (MS preferred), certifications, and hands-on experience with SAP, R, Python, SQL, and Excel in big data contexts. This on-site role offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in an engineering field with relevant experience
• Professional Engineering Certificate acceptable with experience
• Able to apply statistical analysis, reliability principles and RCA/FMEA
• Experience with SAP, Business Objects, R, Python, SQL, and Excel in big data environments
• Strong communication and leadership skills, mentoring engineers

Responsibilities

• Monitor reliability and production of plant or fleet and provide engineering guidance
• Lead department-wide innovation rollouts using advanced techniques and project management
• Define and track KPIs for equipment and processes based on data analysis
• Investigate projects, apply technical analysis, and develop improvement recommendations
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions and share lessons learned across sites

Skills

Reliability engineering

Root Cause Analysis

FMEA

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Statistical analysis

Project management

Big data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Professional Engineering Certificate

Tools

SAP

Business Objects

R

Python

SQL

Excel

Job description

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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

Located approximately 50 miles northeast of Safford, Arizona on U.S. Highway 191, Morenci operations (an open-pit copper mining complex) has been in continuous operation since 1939. The operation consists of two concentrators, crushed-ore leach pad and stacking system, a low-grade run-of-mine (ROM) leaching system; four SX plants; and three EW tank houses that produce copper cathode.

Morenci is a unique company town where our employees and their families can reconnect with nature through hiking, fishing, camping, hunting and numerous parks. The company offers several amenities, including company housing OR employees who are required to work on-site are eligible for a $750 monthly housing allowance, provided they meet program guidelines, a newly constructed daycare and community center, library, health-care facilities, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a movie theater and a skate park. Our dedicated Parks and Recreation Division plans activities for people of all ages, making sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit the Morenci town website to learn more.

What You Will Do

Under general supervision, provides tracking and monitoring of the reliability and production of the plant or fleet and provides technical advice and guidance for execution of methods, engineering solutions, tactics, and strategies for enhancing overall reliability and production. In this role, you form and test operational improvement hypotheses using engineering principles and methodologies, while monitoring new processes to identify outliers and recommend further improvements. As an Innovation Engineer II, you lead department‑wide innovation rollouts using advanced engineering techniques and project management, and review and establish Key Performance Indicators for equipment and processes based on engineering analysis and data evaluation. You also review, investigate, and develop recommendations for assigned engineering projects by applying technical expertise and structured problem‑solving. In addition, you lead brainstorming and fact‑finding sessions at the department level and research proven external solutions, implement lessons learned and best practices from other sites and external parties, influence and motivate change in operational behavior and processes, make observations, reports, and root cause analyses to the Senior Innovation Engineer regarding continuous improvement opportunities on assigned departments, and perform other duties as required.

What You Bring To Freeport

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline from an accredited engineering program, and three (3) years related experience in engineering

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in a Scientific discipline and Professional Engineering Certificate, and three (3) years related experience in engineering

OR

• Master’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline and two (2) years related experience in engineering
• Knowledge in probability, statistical analysis, and reliability engineering
• Ability to research and analyze information of considerable complexity and draw valid conclusions
• Experience with software tools including SAP, Business Objects, R, Python, SQL, and Excel in a big data environment
• Knowledge of processes, costs, schedules, constraints, and deliverables of assigned departments to improve safety, efficiency, production rates, cost controls, and environmental protection
• Knowledge of equipment and associated SOPs at a department level
• Skilled in following safety practices and recognizing hazards
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and/or Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Basic industry knowledge of mining and processing, familiarity with mining terminology, and credibility with the field
• Experience developing and delivering training and technical documentation
• Leadership and interpersonal skills, including mentoring junior engineers

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related engineering discipline
• Mining Operations, Crushing and Convey and Concentrating Operations
• Six Sigma experience or certification

What We Offer You

The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently$93,000-$127,500.This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional discretionary and incentive payment considerations based on company and individual performance. More details will be shared during the hiring process.

• Employees who are required to work on-site are eligible for a $750 monthly housing allowance, provided they meet program guidelines
• 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 pet, auto, home and vehicle
• Internal progression opportunities

What We Require

• Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.
• Candidates must pass all required training and/or testing.
• Employees may be required to work a non-standard schedule, which may include shift work (other than day shift) at a 24/7, 365-day operation.
• Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going drug and alcohol testing, as allowed by applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer