Project Manager - Site & Infrastructure

USA Rare Earth; El Paso (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth is seeking a Project Manager – Site & Infrastructure in El Paso, Texas. This role involves managing the development of critical site infrastructure for the Round Top Project, overseeing access roads and utilities, and coordinating contractors for project success.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of project management experience in mining or infrastructure, strong leadership abilities, and the ability to manage complex projects. A bachelor's degree in a technical field is required, along with familiarity with regulatory processes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project management experience in mining or industrial projects.
• Strong knowledge of project planning and controls.
• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the owner's representative for infrastructure projects.
• Manage access roads, grading, utilities, and civil works.
• Coordinate field investigation programs and permitting activities.

Skills

Project management

Contractor management

Budgeting

Communication

Problem-solving

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management

Tools

Project management software

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 Summary

The Project Manager – Site & Infrastructure serves as the owner's representative for infrastructure development activities supporting the Round Top Project. This role leads the planning, coordination, and execution of critical site infrastructure workstreams, including access roads, site grading, utilities, water supply systems, and heap leach pad civil works.

Working closely with engineering teams, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies, the Project Manager is responsible for managing project scope, schedules, budgets, contractor performance, permitting support, and field investigation programs to ensure successful delivery of key project milestones and Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the owner's representative for site infrastructure projects, providing oversight of contractors, consultants, and project deliverables.
• Manage infrastructure workstreams including access roads, grading, utilities, water infrastructure, drainage, and civil works.
• Coordinate field investigation programs, including geotechnical, hydrogeological, groundwater, and geochemical studies.
• Support permitting activities and interface with regulatory agencies, including TCEQ, GLO, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, forecasts, resource plans, and performance metrics.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and schedule impacts, and implement corrective actions to maintain project objectives.
• Facilitate coordination between engineering, environmental, permitting, construction, and operations teams.
• Lead project meetings, track action items, and resolve technical, commercial, and execution‑related issues.
• Prepare project status updates, reports, and recommendations for leadership and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of project management experience supporting mining, industrial, infrastructure, energy, or heavy civil projects.
• Experience managing contractors, consultants, permitting activities, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and project controls.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, PE, or other relevant project management certification.
• Experience supporting mining, mineral processing, or large‑scale industrial development projects.
• Familiarity with Texas permitting processes and regulatory agencies, including TCEQ and GLO.
• Experience supporting projects through feasibility, permitting, and pre‑construction phases.

The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, a construction site, and a mining site. Noise level: Normal office and lab noises.

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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate reporting structure.

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 Human Resources, [e-mail], to discuss reasonable accommodations.