Metallurgical Development Leader: Plant Optimization Tech

Freeport-McMoRan; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid time off

Tuition Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted insurance plans

Internal progression opportunities

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan in Phoenix, AZ seeks a senior metallurgy professional to drive improvements in processing plant performance. You will oversee ore characterization, act as QP for ore reserves, and lead flowsheet development for expansions involving major equipment sizing.

The role requires extensive mine-site experience, deep expertise across multiple metallurgy areas, and strong communication for cross‑functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

Qualifications

• BSc or BE with ten years of experience in mineral processing or related fields.
• At least 5 years of mine-site experience.
• Specialized technical expertise in three metallurgy-related areas and knowledge in four more areas (crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, smelting, hydrometallurgy, liquid-solid separation, tailings, materials handling, process modeling and simulation, statistical analysis, process automation, sampling and assaying, metallurgical accounting).
• Proficiency in speaking, listening, and writing English.

Responsibilities

• Drive value by improving metallurgical performance of processing plants for current and future operations.
• Oversee ore characterization and act as Qualified Person for SEC reporting of ore reserves.
• Develop process flowsheets for plant expansions including major equipment sizing, and coordinate with internal/external partners.
• Engage with teams to ensure alignment with design and automation objectives; evaluate new technologies.
• Maintain supplier relationships and support site personnel in resolving critical challenges.
• Prepare and present updates to executives and partners; develop technical materials for patents/conferences.

Skills

Metallurgy expertise

Crushing

Grinding

Flotation

Leaching

Smelting

Hydrometallurgy

Process modeling

Statistical analysis

Automation control

Sampling & assaying

Metallurgical accounting

Education

BSc/BE in mining/metallurgy

Job description

Freeport-McMoRan in Phoenix, AZ seeks a senior metallurgy professional to drive improvements in processing plant performance. You will oversee ore characterization, act as QP for ore reserves, and lead flowsheet development for expansions involving major equipment sizing.

The role requires extensive mine-site experience, deep expertise across multiple metallurgy areas, and strong communication for cross‑functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners.