Manufacturing Project Engineer

USA Rare Earth, LLC•Stillwater, OK

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manufacturing Project Engineer supports a rare earth magnet production facility during a rapid scale-up phase within an early-stage public company. This role executes and coordinates capital and process engineering projects that enable pilot-to-commercial transition and future plant expansion. The position operates in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with significant cross-functional interaction and increasing ownership as the engineering organization scales.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Industrial, or related field).
2–4 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or capital project environments.
Experience in pilot-scale, commissioning, or scale-up environments preferred.
Exposure to metals, chemicals, or advanced materials processing preferred.
Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering and project execution in industrial environments.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings and process documentation.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in operational settings.
Effective communicator across engineering, operations, and vendor teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Proficiency with project tracking tools (e.g., MS Project, Excel).

Nice To Haves

Experience in scale-up, pilot plants, or capital project delivery preferred.
Familiarity with chemical, metallurgical, or materials processing systems a plus.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute manufacturing and capital projects across pilot, scale-up, and early production stages.
Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
Support equipment installation, commissioning, and startup activities.
Conduct engineering reviews to support process improvements and facility expansion.
Track project performance; identify risks, delays, and corrective actions.
Analyze production and equipment data to support troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
Prepare technical documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, work instructions, project reports).
Coordinate internal teams and external contractors/vendors to ensure project execution.
Support equipment selection, specification, and procurement.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards in a public-company environment.