Manager, IT (M&P)

USA Rare Earth LLC; Wheat Ridge (CO); On-site; USD 157,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth LLC maintains the Wheat Ridge facility as its primary IT presence, leading a mixed environment of corporate IT, laboratory systems, and operational technology. This hands-on generalist role sets priorities, reports to the Head of IT Upstream and collaborates with the SVP of Mining to drive reliable, secure technology.

The successful candidate will manage Windows Server and desktop environments, 365 administration, vendor relationships, site IT projects, and compliance with

Qualifications

• 7+ years in hands-on IT support, systems administration or a generalist IT role, including lead capacity.
• Proven experience as sole or lead IT resource on a site, working autonomously.
• Strong Windows Server and Windows desktop administration in a production environment.
• Hands-on Microsoft 365 administration and troubleshooting.
• Experience managing vendors, MSPs and service providers to SLAs.
• Track record of delivering IT projects on time and within budget.
• Experience aligning with central or group IT standards and policy.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve local network, server and cloud infrastructure (Azure / AWS as applicable).
• Administer Microsoft 365 day to day across Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive and Entra ID.
• Build, deploy and support Windows desktops and laptops to a consistent standard, and support IT/OT applications.

Skills

IT leadership

Windows Server admin

Windows desktop admin

Microsoft 365 admin

Vendor management

Project delivery

IT standards & policy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or Computer Science

Tools

ITIL

ERP systems

Job description

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.

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

: 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 Overview

This role is the primary IT presence at our Wheat Ridge facility, serving as the go-to technology lead across a mixed environment of corporate IT, laboratory systems, and operational technology as the site scales. The right person is a hands-on, technically strong generalist and self-starter who sets their own priorities and works without close supervision, reporting to the Head of IT Upstream and locally to the SVP of Mining. Success here depends as much on relationships as on technology — you'll need to be visible on site, trusted across every team, and confident holding third parties accountable for service and value.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure, Cloud, and End User Computing

• Maintain and improve local network, server and cloud infrastructure (Azure / AWS as applicable), including scheduled maintenance of all relevant systems.
• Administer Microsoft 365 day to day across Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive and Entra ID, covering identities, licensing, mailboxes, permissions and MFA.
• Build, deploy and support Windows desktops and laptops to a consistent standard, and support industrial IT/OT applications and integrations (iPaaS, API gateway, EDI/AS2/VAN).

Vendor & Third-Party Management

• Own ISP, managed service provider and hardware/software supplier relationships, holding them to account on SLAs, response times, service quality and value for money.
• Coordinate site visits, contractor access and third-party works with minimal disruption.
• Support contract renewals, quotes and purchasing, manage site IT spend and identify cost savings.

Project Delivery & User Support

• Plan and deliver site technology projects – rollouts, upgrades, migrations and refreshes – managing scope, timelines, budget and risk while keeping stakeholders informed.
• Represent Wheat Ridge on wider USA Rare Earth programmes and Group IT initiatives, and scope new technology that improves site capability and productivity.
• Own the ticket queue end to end to meet SLAs, resolve escalated issues independently, run onboarding and offboarding, and be visible on the floor coaching users.

Security, Compliance, & Continuity

• Apply Group IT security and governance policy locally, escalating incidents promptly and maintaining the security of site data, systems and networks.
• Own local business continuity and disaster recovery, testing backup, recovery and continuity arrangements regularly.
• Support risk assessments, audits and compliance across SOX and NIST-aligned controls, and manage data in line with privacy requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years in hands-on IT support, systems administration or a generalist IT role, including time in a lead capacity.
• Proven experience as the sole or lead IT resource on a site, working autonomously.
• Strong Windows Server and Windows desktop administration in a production environment.
• Hands-on Microsoft 365 administration and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrable experience managing vendors, MSPs and service providers to agreed SLAs.
• Track record of delivering IT projects on time and within budget.
• Experience working to central or group IT standards and policy.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred

• Experience in mining, engineering or industrial settings.
• Experience with mine development & geology applications
• Exposure to OT, mining or production systems.
• Experience supporting a site within a wider international group.
• Experience with ERP systems and database management.
• Working knowledge of ITIL or similar service management practice.
• Familiarity with SOX, NIST, ISO 27001 or comparable frameworks.
• Microsoft certifications across Azure, M365 or Windows Server.
• CompTIA, PRINCE2, PMP, CISSP or networking vendor certifications.

Skills

Technical

• Windows Server, including AD, Group Policy, DNS/DHCP, file and print services.
• Windows 10/11 desktop build, deployment and support.
• Microsoft 365 administration across Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint and Entra ID.
• Networking, including switching, wireless, firewalls, VPN and ISP connectivity.
• Backup, recovery and endpoint security tooling.
• Cloud platform administration (Azure, AWS or Google Cloud) and enterprise applications.

Professional

• Excellent interpersonal skills, building rapport and trust quickly at all levels.
• Self-starter who sets priorities and drives work without close supervision.
• Confident managing third parties and holding suppliers to account.
• Clear communicator who translates technical detail into business terms for non-technical colleagues.
• Collaborative approach to working with colleagues across multiple sites and time zones.

The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment and a lab environment.

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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate reporting structure.

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 pay range for this role is:

156,700 - 172,000 USD per year (Wheat Ridge, CO)