Manager, Radiation Safety Program

MP Materials; Mountain Pass (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

MP Materials seeks a seasoned Radiation Safety Officer to lead the Mountain Pass radiation safety program, ensuring compliance with CDPH licenses and all regulations. You will manage dosimetry, environmental monitoring, training, and inspections, while championing ALARA across mining, separation, and processing operations.

The role partners with EHS and regulatory agencies to maintain safety excellence. You will coordinate license amendments, calibrations, documentation, and incident

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a Radiation Safety Officer in industrial settings with NORM.
• 40-hour RSO training and at least 160 hours of specialized health physics training.
• Experience with uranium and/or thorium recovery operations.
• Knowledge of state and federal radioactive material licensing, dosimetry, and ALARA.
• Communication with state/federal regulators (CDPH) and Cal/OSHA/MSHA knowledge.
• Ability to design, document, and manage radiation safety trainings.

Responsibilities

• Ensure radiological activities comply with CDPH license and applicable regs.
• Develop and improve Mountain Pass Radiation Safety Program, dose measurement, monitoring, training.
• Lead ALARA program and radiation safety initiatives for operations and projects.
• Manage dosimetry, bioassay, gamma monitoring, radon, environmental sampling; report doses.
• Serve as primary contact with CDPH; coordinate amendments, inspections, and correspondence.
• Maintain records required by license/regulations; oversee shipments of radiological materials.
• Respond to incidents; investigate root causes and drive corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver radiological training for employees/contractors.
• Participate in MOC, PSSRs, and design reviews to integrate radiological requirements.
• Support Cal/OSHA and MSHA programs, inspections, hazard assessments, and emergency plans.

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical science, health physics, engineering, or a related technical field

Master's degree in health physics or related field (preferred)

Job description

Company Overview

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification. We are the only U.S. company with a fully integrated rare earth supply chain—from mining and refining to advanced metal and magnet manufacturing. Our products include both the critical materials used to make permanent magnets and the finished magnets themselves—enabling next-generation technologies in robotics, automation, aerospace, transportation, defense, and energy systems. These materials are the foundation of physical AI—the convergence of computation, movement, and control. We hire ambitious, mission-driven people who want to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of strategic industries. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with a deep commitment to operational excellence and national purpose. MP is rapidly evolving from a materials producer into a leading U.S. manufacturer—and our people are driving that transformation.

Position Overview

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is responsible for all aspects of the Mountain Pass Radiation Safety Program, including dose measurements, environmental monitoring, training, contamination controls, and routine inspections and surveys related to radiation safety. The RSO is the named individual responsible for ensuring radiological activities at MP Materials' Mountain Pass mine and rare earth processing facility are conducted in compliance with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Radioactive Material License and all applicable federal and state requirements. The RSO also supports the broader site health and safety program under Cal/OSHA and MSHA, and partners with the EHS team on industrial hygiene activities where radiological and non-radiological exposures overlap. The RSO champions a culture of safety excellence across rare earth mining, separation, and chemical processing operations. The RSO champions all aspects of the Mountain Pass ALARA program and lead radiation safety initiatives for routine operations and projects to maintain doses to employees and contractors As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

Position Responsibilities

• Ensure that all radiological activities are conducted in accordance with the stated conditions of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Radioactive Material License and all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Lead the continuous development, implementation, and improvement of the Mountain Pass Radiation Safety Program, including dose measurement, environmental monitoring, contamination controls, training, and routine radiological inspections and surveys.
• Champion all aspects of the Mountain Pass ALARA program and lead radiation safety initiatives for routine operations and projects to maintain doses to employees and contractors As Low As Reasonably Achievable.
• Manage the personal dosimetry program, bioassay program elements, gamma monitoring, and radon and environmental sampling programs; calculate and report annual doses to workers.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with CDPH; coordinate license amendments, inspections, and correspondence, and ensure all radiation measurement instruments are calibrated and maintained.
• Maintain all documents and records required by the License or regulations related to radiation safety, and complete or review documentation for shipments of radiological materials.
• Respond to and lead the investigation of incidents and emergencies involving radiological materials, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Develop and deliver radiological training for employees and contractors, ensuring workforce competency in radiation hazard recognition, contamination control, and safe work practices.
• Participate in management of change (MOC) reviews, pre-startup safety reviews (PSSRs), and project design reviews to ensure radiological requirements are integrated into new processes, equipment, and facilities.
• Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Cal/OSHA and MSHA compliance programs, routine safety inspections, hazard assessments, and emergency response plans across mining, processing, and manufacturing areas.
• Collaborate with the site EHS team on industrial hygiene activities where radiological and non-radiological exposures overlap, including air sampling, exposure assessments, and the respiratory protection program.
• Ensure contractor personnel comply with MP Materials radiation safety policies and requirements, and maintain EHS documentation and data in compliance tracking systems.
• Comply with and promote the company's core values – Excellence, Trust, Honesty, Integrity, Creativity, Safety (ETHICS).
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physical science, health physics, engineering, or a related technical field required.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience as a Radiation Safety Officer in an industrial setting where Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) is present.
• 40-hour Radiation Safety Officer training and at least 160 hours of specialized training in health physics applicable to byproduct material or NORM.
• At least one year of experience in uranium and/or thorium recovery operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in state and federal radioactive material licensing requirements, dosimetry, bioassay, environmental radiological monitoring, and ALARA program management.
• Experience communicating and negotiating with state and federal regulatory agencies, including radiation control programs such as CDPH.
• Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA and MSHA occupational safety and health requirements.
• Natural teacher, comfortable and enthusiastic to define, implement, document, and manage required and voluntary radiation safety training programs.
• Valid driver's license and a good driving record are required in order to drive company vehicles on property.

Desired Qualities

• Master's degree in health physics or a related field preferred.
• Certified Health Physicist (CHP) preferred.
• Experience supporting industrial hygiene programs (exposure assessment, air and noise monitoring, respiratory protection) is beneficial; CIH or CSP certification is a plus.
• Experience in rare earth, mining, metals, or chemical processing industries.
• Experience with MSHA-regulated mining operations and Cal/OSHA-regulated chemical processing facilities.
• Ability to identify and solve problems, and effectively communicate and advocate for these solutions to others (from operators to upper management).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Aff…

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/Women/Disabled/Veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position's requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Your Right to Work

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification document form upon hire.

Safety Provision

Employees are responsible for following all company, industry and regulatory procedures and laws to ensure a safe work environment for themselves and the company. Employees must have a willingness to promote safety among the workforce, participate in Process Hazard Analysis procedures and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews.

Working Conditions

Our facility sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Department of Labor Physical Demand Category: Very Heavy. Employees may be subject to extreme weather conditions when working in an outdoor setting, including freezing winter weather and extreme desert summer heat. Work is at an open pit mine or manufacturing/chemical plant setting, which may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals, radiological materials, risk of electrical shock, explosives, fumes, or airborne particles.

Physical Demands

Manual dexterity; sense of touch; sense of smell; speaking clearly; hearing-speech range; hearing – all ranges; seeing, reading and comprehensions; seeing – distant/near; depth perception; color vision. While performing the job responsibilities, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to stand and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel and to manipulate laboratory equipment. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employees must pass a full-face respiratory fit test. Employees must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to work in PPE level C. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required of the employee.