Project Controls - Cost Lead

MP Materials; California; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MP Materials is seeking a Project Controls – Cost Lead for Mountain Pass, CA to drive cost control on capital projects and implement improved cost systems. You will define methods to monitor progress, KPI performance, and earned value measurements, partnering with finance and project teams.

The role requires 3–5 years of CAPEX project cost management, ERP experience, and advanced Excel skills, along with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance, or related field.

Qualifications

• Experience in cost management for medium to large capex projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance or related field.
• Experience implementing ERP or other financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage project and portfolio financial planning for capital projects: forecasting, tracking, contingency management, reporting.
• Collaborate with project managers to establish cost plans and provide weekly forecasts.
• Create project tracking and reporting templates for data sharing between PM and finance.
• Prepare and maintain project disbursements projections and accruals.
• Ensure PP&E accounting compliance and asset recognition in financial statements.
• Oversee cost management databases and ensure data integrity with SAP reconciliation.

Skills

Cost management

Stakeholder management

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, finance or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Mountain Pass, CA, US

Salary Range: $130,000.00 To $180,000.00 Annually

Salary Range: $130,000.00 to $180,000.00

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 Project Controls – Cost Lead will be a member of our Mountain Pass, CA mine business. This is a rare opportunity to take a lead role in developing and implementing improved cost control systems and procedures on capital projects. The ideal candidate will be a hands‑on team member with experience in capex program cost management. The Project Control – Cost Lead will define and maintain the means and methods to monitor the progress and performance on individual projects, including establishing, tracking, and reporting key performance indicators and earned value assessments.

Position Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of project and portfolio financial planning for capital projects, including forecasting, tracking, contingency management, cost and progress reporting.
• Collaborate with project managers to establish cost plans on projects and provide weekly forecast updates.
• Create project tracking and reporting templates that allow seamless data-sharing between the project management and finance teams.
• Prepare and maintain project disbursements projections and accounting accruals.
• Assist stakeholders with preparation of capital appropriation requests and monitor purchasing activity to ensure that all related capital assets engineering, acquisition, and commissioning are properly recognized in the company’s financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with company’s policy regarding property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) accounting.
• Oversee the implementation and administration of cost management database – Ares Prism, Hexagon EcoSys, or similar, ensuring its integrity and reconciliation with SAP.
• Coordinate with accounting on project set up and master data maintenance.
• Collect and organize historical cost information for future use by estimating.
• Monitor the status of equipment installation, commissioning, and provide the required inputs to allow fixed assets accounting team to determine in‑service dates.
• Participate in end‑of‑project reviews for lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop cost management processes and procedures.
• Create summary dashboards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Expertise in cost management for medium to large capex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance or a related field of study.
• Experience in implementing ERP or other financial systems.
• 3 to 5 years progressive work‑related experience.
• 3 to 5 years industrial project experience

Desired Qualities:

• Excellent leadership, people management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to effectively manage, collaborate with, and influence key stakeholders.
• Adaptability and ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proactive approach to project forecasting by engaging with the internal project team and contractors.
• Advanced Excel skills, proficiency in other Microsoft Office applications and project management tools.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading projects and programs, on schedule and within budget, from start to project completion.

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmitive Action Employer

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.

For Assistance with Application

Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability.

Contact Human Resources Department at 702-844-6111; dial 7 when prompted for HR;1700 South Pavilion Center Dr. 8th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89135 to discuss reasonable accommodation.

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.

(PPE) Personal Protective Equipment is required when performing work in a mine, manufacturing, outdoor, or plant environment. Required PPE may include, but is not limited to, hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves, and any other protective equipment as required.

Working Conditions

Our facility sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Employees may be subject to extreme weather conditions when working in an outdoor setting (heat and cold, wind). Work is at an open pit mine or manufacturing/chemical plant setting, which may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals, 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.