Mechanical Engineer

Lithium Americas; Orovada (NV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lithium Americas seeks a Mechanical Engineer to join the Maintenance team at Thacker Pass, NV. You will support buildout, commissioning, and operation of a new sulfuric acid and lithium processing plant, reporting to the Maintenance Manager.

Occasional travel to other LAC sites may be required. Responsibilities include safety compliance, KPI development, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to optimize plant performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3–10 years of engineering experience in a mining or chemical processing facility.
• Experience with CAD and updating drawings with Hexagon SmartPlant P&ID preferred.
• Experience with 3D plant layout modeling preferred.
• Familiarity with CMMS systems and Data Historians.
• Familiarity with OSHA PSM or MSHA standards preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Be a self-starter: highly motivated and able to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.

Responsibilities

• Champion process and mechanical safety by ensuring compliance with MSHA, OSHA and ASME; participate in PHA, MOC and PSSR to mitigate hazards.
• Support commissioning, start-up, and pre-commissioning activities for sulfuric acid and lithium processing facilities.
• Serve as the site Mechanical Engineering SME to support day-to-day operations and maintenance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve equipment performance issues using CMMS and Data Historian data.
• Assist in developing and leading KPIs for maintenance (MTTR, MTBF, etc.).
• Specify, recommend, and procure replacement equipment for plant operations.
• Maintain and update plant technical drawings.
• Manage capital and sustaining projects from concept through design, procurement, start-up.
• Oversee contractor work during maintenance and project execution.
• Collaborate with production, QA, and management to implement and optimize processes.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance across engineering activities.
• Promote continuous improvement, safety, and operational excellence.
• Document lessons learned and maintain records of process modifications.
• Build and maintain relationships across teams supporting Lithium Americas’ purpose and values.

Job description

Mechanical Engineer

Company Overview

Lithium Americas is a North American resource and materials company focused on developing, building, and operating lithium deposits and chemical processing facilities. The company’s flagship asset, Thacker Pass, is located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada and is the world’s largest known measured lithium resource and reserve. We are focused on safely and responsibly developing Thacker Pass to production to help strengthen national security and enable cleaner energy sources. We are committed to minimizing environmental impact, creating family-supporting jobs, and maximizing sustainable value for our stakeholders.

Lithium Americas is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and operates in the U.S., with offices in Reno, NV, and Winnemucca, NV. The Company’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol LAC.

Our Purpose, Vision, and Values

Our purpose, vision, and values are the guiding principles that will serve as the cornerstone of our company’s future direction and operations, aligning our team and organization towards our common goals.

Our Purpose is to safely and sustainably produce lithium from Thacker Pass to enable North America to reduce dependence on foreign critical minerals and drive value for our stakeholders.

Our Vision is to be North America’s leading lithium producer to enable cleaner energy sources.

Our Values include Act with Integrity, Be Responsible and Act with Care, Commit to Excellence and Drive Innovation, and Be a Collaborative Partner.

Role

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our Maintenance team. In this role, you will be responsible for supporting the buildout, commissioning, and operation of a new sulfuric acid and lithium processing plant at Thacker Pass. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization committed to innovation, sustainability, and leadership in the clean energy sector.

The role is based at the Thacker Pass site located near Orovada, NV, and reports to the Maintenance Manager. Occasional travel to other LAC offices, project sites, vendor locations may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion process and mechanical safety by ensuring full compliance with MSHA, OSHA and ASME standards; actively participate in process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Management of Change (MOC) and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) to identify, mitigate and eliminate process related hazards. Fosters a culture where safe work practices and personal accountability are non-negotiable.
• Support commissioning, start-up, and pre-commissioning activities for the sulfuric acid and lithium processing facilities
• Serve as the site Mechanical Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support day-to-day operations and maintenance activities
• Troubleshoot and resolve equipment performance issues using data from Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and the Process Data Historian
• Assist in developing and leading Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for maintenance such as Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), and others.
• Specify, recommend, and procure replacement or alternate equipment for plant operations
• Maintain and update plant technical drawings.
• Manage capital and sustaining projects from concept through design, procurement, and start-up, including change management
• Oversee contractor work during maintenance and project execution
• Collaborate with production, QA, and management teams to implement and optimize processes
• Ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance across all engineering activities
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and operational excellence
• Document lessons learned and maintain accurate records of process modifications
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across all teams while championing a culture that reflects and supports our Purpose, Vision, and Values
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 3–10 years of engineering experience in a mining or chemical processing facility
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and unit operations
• Experience with CAD and updating drawings with use of Hexagon SmartPlant P&ID preferred
• Experience with 3D Plant layout modeling preferred
• Familiarity with CMMS systems and Data Historians
• Familiarity with OSHA PSM or MSHA standards preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, teamwork, and environmental responsibility
• Excellent verbal and written communication skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
• Be a self‑starter: highly motivated, able to work independently, with high energy
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cross‑functionally
• Ability to critically challenge assumptions, “think outside the box”, and deliver creative solutions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Project, Teams, etc.)
• Personal commitment to Lithium Americas’ Purpose, Vision, and Values

Working at Lithium Americas

At Lithium Americas, we believe our people are our most valuable asset. We offer a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for long‑term growth and skills development.

We are committed to building a diverse and respectful workplace and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lithium Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.