Senior Process Automation Engineer

Freeport McMoRan Inc.; Bayard (NM); On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits

Company-paid life and disability insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution/match

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

A leading mining company in Bayard, New Mexico is looking for a Senior Process Automation Engineer. This role involves leadership and advanced problem-solving for Process Automation, directing safety programs, and managing Industrial Control Systems. Candidates should have a Bachelor's in Engineering with five years of relevant experience or a Master's with three years. The position is well-compensated, with an annual salary range of $105,000 to $145,000, plus benefits including medical, dental, 401(k), and tuition assistance.

Qualifications

• 5 years of related experience in engineering relevant to Process Automation.
• 3 years of experience with regulatory and advanced control systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and advanced problem solving for Process Automation.
• Lead and promote safety and environmental programs.
• Direct implementation and maintenance of Process Control Network.

Skills

Leadership

Advanced problem solving

Regulatory control systems

Cybersecurity practices

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline

Master’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline

Tools

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Distributed Control Systems

Process historians

Job description

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Title: Senior Process Automation Engineer

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. Apply Today!

Where You Will Work

Chino is an open-pit copper mining complex located 15 miles from the historic mining community of Silver City in southwestern New Mexico. The historic Chino mine was among the world's first low-grade, open-pit copper mines. Today, the operation consists of a 36,000-metric-ton-per-day concentrator that produces copper and a 150-million-pound-per-year solvent extraction/electrowinning plant that produces copper cathode from solution generated by run-of-mine leaching.

The community of Silver City boasts various restaurants, arts, entertainment, cliff dwellings, festivals and much more. Residents and visitors enjoy gentle four seasons, with three hundred days of sunshine a year and low humidity. From unique shopping finds in the galleries to everyday groceries, schools and housing, there are numerous amenities for everyone. Visit Silver City to learn more.

This position may be eligible for Freeport-McMoRan immigration work visa sponsorship.

What You Will Do

You provide leadership, management, direction, and advanced problem solving for Process Automation while reviewing and improving the performance of site Industrial Control Systems. You lead and promote safety and environmental programs, communicate safety implications related to Process Automation, and direct Industrial Control System cybersecurity practices. In this role, you lead and manage others by providing technical direction and guidance to direct reports on Process Automation Engineering topics, review engineering project proposals and designs to ensure work meets site Process Automation standards, and guide performance of ICs hardware and software to identify automation‑driven improvements that enhance operator and operations effectiveness. As the Senior Process Automation Engineer, you direct implementation and maintenance of the Process Control Network while maintaining plant performance, cybersecurity, and historian systems. You approve specialized analytical and advanced instrumentation solutions, manage automation equipment life‑cycle planning, proposals, and budget estimates, and perform other duties as required.

What You Bring To Freeport

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline and five (5) years of related experience in engineering relevant to Process Automation or a related field including three (3) years of experience with regulatory and advanced control systems

OR

• Master’s degree in an appropriate Engineering discipline and three (3) years of related experience in engineering relevant to Process Automation or a related field including three (3) years of experience with regulatory and advanced control systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous supervision and leadership experience


• PLC, HMI, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and/or Distributed Control Systems (DCS) manufacture training or certification


• Experience with plant process historians or similar database storage and retrieval systems


• Experience with ICs/PCN network architecture, communication, and security


• Experience in or understanding of mining and mineral processing systems


• Familiarity with or training in NFPA 70, NEC, or Electrical Journeyman Training

What We Offer You

The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $105,000-$145,000. 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. Click here to view a sample of Total Rewards Estimate for this role.

• 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 pet, auto, home and vehicle


• Internal progression opportunities


• Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!

What We Require

• Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.


• Candidates must pass all required training and/or testing.


• Employees may be required to work a non‑standard schedule, which may include shift work (other than day shift) at a 24/7, 365‑day operation.


• Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol‑free work environment using mandatory pre‑employment drug testing and on‑going drug and alcohol testing, as allowed by applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please be advised that 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].