Senior Mechanical Engineer - Plant Upgrades & Reliability

MP Materials; Mountain Pass (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MP Materials in Mountain Pass, CA is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our team. You will support design, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of mechanical systems across our industrial facilities, providing technical leadership and hands‑on problem solving.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in heavy industrial equipment, project management, and safety compliance, with experience in pumps, piping, conveyors, rotating equipment, and modernization

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical or industrial) or related field.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical equipment design, maintenance, and operation.
• Familiarity with ASME, ANSI, API, AISC codes and industry standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical engineering support for plant operations, maintenance, and capital projects to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of mechanical equipment and systems.
• Lead design, specification, evaluation, and implementation of mechanical equipment including pumps, piping systems, conveyors, crushers, rotating equipment, tanks, pressure systems, structural components, and process equipment.
• Develop engineering scopes of work, technical specifications, equipment standards, and bid packages for maintenance and capital projects.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex mechanical equipment failures and operational issues through engineering analysis and field investigations.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to identify opportunities for equipment improvements, process optimization, energy reduction, and cost savings.
• Review and approve engineering drawings, calculations, equipment designs, vendor submittals, and construction packages for compliance with standards and codes.
• Provide technical leadership for equipment upgrades, plant expansions, modernization efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support preventive maintenance and equipment inspection programs with recommendations for life extension, repair strategies, and replacement planning.

Skills

Mechanical equipment design

Maintenance

Operation

Rotating equipment

Piping systems

Conveyors

Pumps

Tanks

Structural systems

Engineering calculations

ASME/ANSI/API/AISC codes

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

None

Job description

MP Materials in Mountain Pass, CA is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our team. You will support design, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of mechanical systems across our industrial facilities, providing technical leadership and hands‑on problem solving.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in heavy industrial equipment, project management, and safety compliance, with experience in pumps, piping, conveyors, rotating equipment, and modernization