Senior Process Automation Engineer

Freeport McMoRan Inc.; Green Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 98,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance program

Discounted insurance plans

Internal progression opportunities

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is seeking a Senior Process Automation Engineer to lead automation engineering for the Sierrita operations near Tucson, AZ.

You will direct ICS hardware and software, advance cybersecurity practices, and drive improvements in plant performance and safety while guiding a team of engineers. The role requires advanced degrees or equivalent experience in engineering with a focus on process automation, plus demonstrated leadership and regulatory/advanced control expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with five years of experience in Process Automation, including three in regulatory and advanced control systems.
• Alternative: Master’s degree in Engineering with three years of related Process Automation experience including three years in regulatory/advanced control.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for Process Automation engineering and site ICS performance improvements.
• Promote safety and environmental programs within Process Automation and oversee IC cybersecurity practices.
• Direct technical direction to reports on Process Automation topics and review proposals to ensure adherence to standards.
• Guide performance of ICs hardware/software to identify automation-driven improvements for operators and operations.
• Manage implementation and maintenance of the Process Control Network while ensuring plant performance and cybersecurity.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Job description

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.

Where You Will Work

Sierrita operations is located just 20 miles from Tucson – Arizona’s second-largest city. Its cutting-edge mine training facility, with state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and advanced simulators, equips our people with the skills, expertise and knowledge to excel. Whether you choose to live in Green Valley, Sahuarita or Tucson, you will enjoy spectacular sunsets and mild winters as well as numerous local attractions. Tucson is home to the Pima Air and Space Museum, University of Arizona and Sonora Desert Museum. Other notable community staples are several schools, hospitals, restaurants, parks, shopping centers and more. Visit sahuaritaaz.gov and tucsonaz.gov to learn more.

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$97,500-$138,000. 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 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