Principal Engineer I - Mineral Process

Freeport-McMoRan•Phoenix, AZ

5d•$116,000 - $162,500•Hybrid

About The Position

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing employment that recognizes excellence and encourages safe production, with a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority. Apply Today! Where You Will Work Our global headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. Several hundred employees support our operations in finance, human resources, health and safety, information technology, planning, and more. Our flexible work program allows employees to work virtually as well as come together in person when needed at our Collaboration Hub in Phoenix and/or one of our site locations. Employees can work remotely from most states in the U.S., with the exception of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Additional states may be excluded from remote work based on business factors. Should the position shift to in-person (office/site) work in the future, the company will offer relocation benefits at that time, so long as the position meets the established eligibility for these benefits. What You Will Do This role serves as a key technical leader focused on mineral processing simulation and modeling. The successful candidate will develop advanced models using real plant data and ore characterization results to drive process optimization, flowsheet development, production forecasting, plant debottlenecking, and strategic planning. Core responsibilities include simulation modeling, plant data analysis and optimization, and integration of ore characterization insights. This position will work closely with operations, engineering, and corporate teams to support process design studies, feasibility evaluations, and project development initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical engineering and seven (7) years of experience in related engineering field OR
Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical engineering and five (5) years of experience in related engineering field; OR
PhD in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical engineering and three (3) years of experience in related engineering field
Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering
Able to research and analyze information of considerable difficulty and draw valid conclusion
Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety precautions
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, both verbally and in writing

Nice To Haves

Advanced understanding of simulation modeling theory
Demonstrated ability to work with plant operational data
Experience integrating ore characterization test work into models
Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of Extractive Metallurgical engineering and/or Mineral Processing engineering

Responsibilities

Develop, calibrate, and validate mineral processing simulation models, including comminution and flotation circuits.
Analyze and interpret plant operating data and ore characterization results to build accurate, predictive simulation models.
Apply simulation principles to evaluate circuit performance, run scenario analyses, and support process design and optimization decisions.
Maintain and enhance the organization’s internal simulation capabilities, progressing toward subject‑matter‑expert proficiency.
Extract, clean, and analyze real-time and historical plant data to ensure high‑quality inputs for modeling and decision‑making.
Leverage simulation and data analytics to identify opportunities to improve throughput, recovery, efficiency, and process stability.
Integrate ore characterization data—such as grindability, mineralogy, liberation, density, and hardness—into simulation models.
Collaborate with metallurgy, geology, and laboratory teams to ensure reliable, representative ore characterization inputs.
Clearly communicate complex modeling insights and recommendations to stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
Perform other duties as required.