Manufacturing Project Engineer

USA Rare Earth; Stillwater (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is seeking a Manufacturing Project Engineer to support a rare earth magnet production facility. This role involves executing and coordinating engineering projects to facilitate the pilot-to-commercial transition and support plant expansion.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 2–4 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include project planning, managing schedules and budgets, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or capital project environments.
• Experience in pilot-scale, commissioning, or scale-up environments preferred.
• Familiarity with chemical, metallurgical, or materials processing systems a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute manufacturing and capital projects across pilot, scale-up, and early production stages.
• Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Support equipment installation and commissioning activities.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering understanding

Project execution experience

Strong problem-solving skills

Effective communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Industrial, or related field)

Tools

MS Project

Excel

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:

The Manufacturing Project Engineer supports a rare earth magnet production facility during a rapid scale‑up phase within an early‑stage public company. This role executes and coordinates capital and process engineering projects that enable pilot‑to‑commercial transition and future plant expansion. The position operates in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment with significant cross‑functional interaction and increasing ownership as the engineering organization scales.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute manufacturing and capital projects across pilot, scale‑up, and early production stages.
• Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Conduct engineering reviews to support process improvements and facility expansion.
• Track project performance; identify risks, delays, and corrective actions.
• Analyze production and equipment data to support troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
• Prepare technical documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, work instructions, project reports).
• Coordinate internal teams and external contractors/vendors to ensure project execution.
• Support equipment selection, specification, and procurement.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards in a public‑company environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering and project execution in industrial environments.
• Experience in scale‑up, pilot plants, or capital project delivery preferred.
• Familiarity with chemical, metallurgical, or materials processing systems a plus.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and process documentation.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills in operational settings.
• Effective communicator across engineering, operations, and vendor teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.
• Proficiency with project tracking tools (e.g., MS Project, Excel).
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Industrial, or related field).
• 2–4 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or capital project environments.
• Experience in pilot‑scale, commissioning, or scale‑up environments preferred.
• Exposure to metals, chemicals, or advanced materials processing preferred.

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. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, move, sit, carry, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, lift, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel, and talk and hear. May be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 20 pounds in weight. Some work stress inherent to the position and extended work hours may be required.

The work environment will be an office environment, manufacturing floor, and active construction site. Noise level: Normal office noises, manufacturing noises, construction noises.

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 People & Culture, [e-mail], to discuss reasonable accommodations.