Senior Operational Excellence Engineer

Freeport-McMoRan; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted insurance plans

Internal progression opportunities

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan is seeking an experienced Sr. Operational Excellence Engineer to drive data-informed decision making and scalable process improvements. You will coach leaders, apply engineering methods, and shape systems that enable innovation while guiding teams to sustained operational excellence.

The role emphasizes collaboration across levels of the organization, metrics-driven leadership, and proactive problem solving in a hybrid work environment at our Phoenix-area hubs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline with five years of related experience.
• Master’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline with three years of related experience.
• Ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization.
• Passionate problem solver who succeeds in ambiguous situations and advocates for the best possible solution.
• Active coach and mentor focused on maximizing team potential.
• Strong communicator with emerging ability to communicate complex messages.
• Experience in business optimization teams and transformation methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Coach leaders and teams to independently run problem-solving, engineering analysis, and improvement routines.
• Apply advanced tools and engineering methods to influence decisions, enable action, and sustain improvements.
• Shape systems that enable scalable innovation beyond individual solutions.
• Coach leaders and teams to apply structured thinking, engineering analysis, and storytelling to drive sustained action.
• Influence and motivate changes in operational behaviors and processes, establishing routines for sustained excellence at scale.
• Facilitate and coach multiple high-performing teams and initiatives.
• Establish and review KPIs using engineering analysis and data evaluation.

Skills

Data-driven analytics

Coaching leaders

Engineering analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

SQL

Excel

Business Objects

Job description

Why You Should Apply for This Job

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career.

Where You Will Work

Our global headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. Several hundred employees support global operations in finance, human resources, information technology, planning and more from the main office, satellite offices or online. As a Hybrid employee, you’ll engage in virtual collaboration as well as attend in-person meetings at our Collaboration Hub in Phoenix or at one of our site locations. The Collaboration Hub provides an open, flexible workspace for individuals and teams to come together for various business needs. Amenities at the Hub include a working café, phone booths and meeting rooms with technology tools for virtual and in-person collaboration. In-person attendance may vary based on the position and department requirements.

Phoenix is the capital of the Grand Canyon State and enjoys mostly bright skies throughout the year. It is the perfect place if you enjoy the outdoors, love sports, concerts and other big city amenities or technology. There are great neighborhoods around Phoenix, with easy access to a major city, nature, the arts and many more amenities.

What You Will Do

Under limited supervision, drive and institutionalize data-informed decision making and shape performance optimization at scale while coaching leaders and teams to support high-impact business optimization initiatives and serving as a subject matter expert in transformational methodologies and engineering practices.

• You will coach leaders, teams, and customers to independently run effective problem-solving, engineering analysis, and improvement routines.
• Apply advanced tools and engineering methods to influence decisions, enable action, and sustain improvements.
• As the Sr Operational Excellence Engineer, shape systems that enable scalable innovation beyond individual solutions.
• In this role, proactively shape decisions, address concerns, and coach leaders and teams to apply structured thinking, engineering analysis, and storytelling to drive sustained action.
• Influence and motivate changes in operational behaviors and processes, coaching others to establish structures and routines that sustain operational excellence at scale.
• Facilitate and coach multiple high-performing teams and initiatives.
• Establish and review KPIs using engineering analysis and data evaluation.

What You Bring To Freeport

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline and five (5) years related experience in engineering or related field
• Master’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline and three (3) years related experience in engineering or related field
• Ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization
• Passionate problem solver who succeeds in ambiguous situations and advocates for the best possible solution
• Active coach and mentor focused on maximizing team potential
• Strong communicator with emerging ability to communicate complex messages
• Participant in prior business optimization teams with potential to become an expert in transformation methodologies
• Unbiased facilitator with established and emerging leadership skills
• Self-aware of cognitive biases and focused on building high performing teams and delivering outcomes
• Challenger mindset with passion for innovation and change
• Belief in a non-hierarchical culture of collaboration, transparency, and trust
• Passion for understanding people and teams
• Ability to learn quickly and navigate the organization to find experts
• Ability to receive and act on developmental feedback quickly

Preferred Qualifications

• Mine Engineering and/or Mine Operations background
• Leadership experience in Supervision and/or People Management
• Experience in report and KPI creation and advanced data analysis using conventional and big-data methods
• Proficiency with SAP, Business Objects, SQL, and Excel in a big data environment
• Knowledge of operational processes, costs, schedules, and constraints to improve safety and efficiency
• Strong collaboration skills with proven ability to drive results in team environments
• Knowledge of equipment and associated SOPs at the site level
• Ability to follow safety practices and recognize hazards
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and/or Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Experience developing and delivering training and documentation
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, including mentoring
• Persuasive communication and presentation skills

What We Offer You

The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $101,000-$141,000. This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional discretionary and incentive payment considerations based on company and individual performance. More details will be shared during the hiring process.

• Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
• Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted insurance plans for auto, home and pet
• Internal progression opportunities
• Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!

What We Require

Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing as allowed by applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Freeport-McMoRan will never request payment for job-related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to [e-mail].