Senior Mine Planning Engineer

USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR); Sierra Blanca (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth, Inc. is seeking a Mining Engineer for a full-time position at Round Top Mountain in Sierra Blanca, TX. The role involves supervising a team, developing mine designs, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in open pit mining, a Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, and proficiency in mine planning software. Commitment to safety and strong leadership capabilities are required.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of open pit mining experience.
• Expertise in mine planning and optimization.
• Strong understanding of drill and blast and mine economics.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor graduates and interns.
• Develop mine designs and plans.
• Monitor operational execution against mine plans.

Skills

Mine planning

Mining operations

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Mine planning software (Deswik, Vulcan)

Job description

Overview

USA Rare Earth is on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies support the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, with battery-grade lithium and tech metals 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 also developed the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility and own the only scalable, sintered neo-magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing a fully integrated, US-based “mine-to-magnet” critical mineral supply chain, we aim to be 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. We strive to build solutions, deliver quality, lead responsibly, and win together. We are committed to safety, sustainable practices, and collaboration with customers and across sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, train and mentor the team of graduates and interns
• Develop and support the execution of mine designs and plans for the mining operations
• Lead by example and seek opportunities to improve safety in all areas of the operation
• Monitor, track and report operational execution against mine plans; highlight deviations and identify opportunities to catch up or exceed the plan
• Manage and oversee all contractors’ activities related to the Mine Engineering
• Design and optimize open pit and mine layouts, including haul roads, ramps, stopes, and sequencing
• Ensure all mine plans comply with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and environmental guidelines
• Collaborate with exploration, operations/mining contractors, permitting, and other site teams to align plans and ensure successful execution
• Support and manage engineering consultants on studies as required
• Monitor mine performance and reconcile actual results against plan; identify variances and implement improvements
• Conduct economic evaluations, cost analysis, and productivity assessments
• Mentor and supervise junior mine engineers and technical staff
• Support budgeting, forecasting, life-of-mine planning activities and capital projects
• Implement and maintain mine planning software and systems
• Develop mine planning processes and procedures
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programs
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of open pit mining experience with expertise in mine planning, optimization, and operations.
• Proficiency with mine planning software such as Deswik and Vulcan, with a strong understanding of drill and blast, geotechnical engineering, and mine economics.
• Working knowledge of U.S. mining regulations, including MSHA standards, and a demonstrated commitment to safe mining practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills with the ability to evaluate both short- and long-term impacts of mine planning decisions.
• Proven leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to build credibility, mentor teams, and support organizational priorities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, remote site environment while maintaining a high level of attention to detail, operational awareness, and efficiency.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, permanent on-site position at Round Top Mountain, Sierra Blanca, TX, in an outdoor desert environment with exposure to heat, dust, and remote conditions. The role grows with the project through construction and into full mining operations, with occasional travel required.

Equal Employment Opportunities USA Rare Earth proudly supports equal employment opportunities. The policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and to provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For assistance applying for employment through this site due to disability, please contact Human Resources, [e-mail], to discuss reasonable accommodations.