Senior Commissioning Manager

MP Materials Corp.; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MP Materials Corp. in Mountain Pass, CA, seeks a Senior Commissioning Manager to lead the safe, systematic startup of complex industrial systems. You will collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations to ensure equipment and control systems are installed, tested, and handed over on schedule.

The role requires strong technical leadership, field presence, and a proven track record driving reliability and safety in early-stage facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 10+ years of experience in industrial operations, construction, or commissioning.
• Experience commissioning complex systems (chemical processing, power generation, mining).
• Strong understanding of PFDs and P&IDs; DCS/PLC control systems; electrical/instrumentation.
• Demonstrated leadership in fast-paced startup environments.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of commissioning plans, procedures, and schedules.
• Review and validate P&IDs, control narratives, and interlock logic; manage tests.
• Serve as liaison between engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards; lead PSSR and permitting processes.
• Develop detailed timelines; monitor critical path and report progress.

Skills

PFDs & P&IDs

DCS/PLC control systems

Electrical & instrumentation systems

Mechanical equipment knowledge

Leadership in startup environments

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Mountain Pass, CA, US

Salary Range: $125,000.00 To $150,000.00 Annually

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 Senior Commissioning Manager is responsible for leading the safe, systematic, and efficient commissioning of industrial systems and facilities. This role ensures new and modified equipment, processes, and control systems are installed, tested, and transitioned to operations in a structured and controlled manner. The position works cross-functionally with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, EHS, and contractors to deliver fully operational, reliable systems.

This role requires strong technical leadership, field presence, and the ability to drive schedule adherence while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Position Responsibilities

Commissioning Leadership

• Lead development and execution of commissioning plans, procedures, and schedules.
• Establish system boundaries and turnover packages (Mechanical Completion → Pre-Commissioning → Commissioning → Operational Readiness).
• Develop and manage commissioning checklists, punch lists, and documentation.
• Coordinate walkdowns and system handoffs with construction and operations teams.
• Drive structured startup sequencing and operational readiness reviews.

Technical Oversight

• Review and validate P&IDs, control narratives, cause & effect matrices, and interlock logic.
• Oversee functional testing of electrical, instrumentation, automation, and process systems.
• Lead loop checks, equipment checkout, energization plans, and first-fill/startup activities.
• Identify and mitigate commissioning risks before startup.
• Support troubleshooting and optimization during ramp-up.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison between Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Maintenance during startup.
• Ensure training materials and SOPs are in place prior to system turnover.
• Facilitate daily commissioning meetings and progress reporting.
• Align with process engineering to ensure system intent matches design basis.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all commissioning activities comply with company safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR).
• Verify LOTO, MOC, and permitting processes are followed during energization and startup.

Schedule & Performance

• Develop detailed commissioning timelines and track critical path items.
• Identify bottlenecks and elevate issues impacting startup.
• Provide routine progress updates to senior leadership.
• Drive closure of punch items and deficiencies impacting operational readiness.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• 10+ years of experience in industrial operations, construction, or commissioning.
• Experience commissioning complex systems (chemical processing, power generation, water treatment, mining, etc.).
• Strong understanding of:
  • Process flow diagrams (PFDs) and P&IDs
  • DCS/PLC control systems
  • Electrical and instrumentation systems
  • Mechanical equipment (pumps, compressors, filter presses, heat exchangers, etc.)
• Demonstrated leadership in fast-paced startup environments.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.

Desired Qualities

• Strong work ethic and commitment to reliability and punctuality
• Positive, team-oriented attitude with a willingness to assist wherever needed
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues
• Good communication skills and ability to interact professionally across departments
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities or emergency repairs
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Desire to learn and grow within a dynamic industrial setting
• Sense of ownership and pride in maintaining a safe, clean, and efficient facility

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affi…

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.

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