Refinery Process Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview:

We are the only U.S. company with a fully integrated rare earth supply chain—from mining and refining to advanced metal and magnet manufacturing. Our products include both the critical materials used to make permanent magnets and the finished magnets themselves—enabling next-generation technologies in robotics, automation, aerospace, transportation, defense, and energy systems. These materials are the foundation of physical AI—the convergence of computation, movement, and control.

We hire ambitious, mission-driven people who want to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of strategic industries. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with a deep commitment to operational excellence and national purpose. MP is rapidly evolving from a materials producer into a leading U.S. manufacturer—and our people are driving that transformation.

Position Overview:

There are four levels of process engineers in the Process Technology and Engineering Department, I, II, and Senior, all reporting to the area Lead Process Engineer. MP Materials is currently looking for levels I, II, and Senior Process Engineers. They will collaborate with other plant engineering staff, supervisors, operators, and management in the design, implementation, startup, and optimization of various new and existing unit operations, monitor daily process and equipment control parameters, and adjust as necessary to ensure safe production, quality, efficiency, and uninterrupted operation. Process engineers also investigate process upsets, develop conceptual engineering & initial capital project scopes, and make recommendations to improve process safety, quality, efficiency, and profitability.

Position Responsibilities:

• Guide daily plant operations using engineering best practices.
• Create and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and process log sheets for new and existing processes; work with area trainers to effectively communicate materials to the operations group.
• Create and maintain PFDs, P&IDs, mechanical and layout drawings, process control procedures, and design basis documentation.
• Provide technical training to operations personnel.
• Promote process safety and manage risk through appropriate engineering and administrative controls.
• Track and present key performance indicators (KPIs); update operating setpoints, strategy, and procedures based on KPIs for continual process improvement.
• Use statistical process control programs and techniques to analyze process KPIs.
• Identify and create preliminary technical scope packages for small capital projects; participate in the capital project lifecycle to ensure successful design and implementation.
• Develop and communicate cost, benefits, and risk information on new process changes.
• Participate in the Management of Change process, creating and executing MOC projects.
• Participate in environmental, health, and safety initiatives, and ISO 9001.
• Collaborate with the project management team, purchasing department, vendors, maintenance, contractors, operators, and other team members as needed to maintain safe, reliable operations.
• Complete any other tasks as needed or as directed by management.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
• Process Engineer I: 0-3 years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
• Process Engineer II: 3-6 years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
• Senior Process Engineer: 6+ years of work experience in a chemical plant, mining, petroleum, or a similar heavy industrial setting.
• Valid Drivers License to drive company vehicles on and off property.

Desired Qualities:

• Prior experience with mills, flotation circuits, thickeners/clarifiers, slurry systems, dry solids handling, dissolution reactors, precipitation reactors, filter press, belt filter, and other various filtration technology, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, heat exchangers, cooling towers, instrumentation and process control automation, steam & power generation, reverse osmosis, water treatment, evaporators, crystallizers, centrifuges.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Ability to complete a task with appropriate coaching and minimal supervision.
• Ability to create, read, and modify PFD’s and P&ID’s, material & energy balances.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), statistical software, and PI ProcessBook.
• Ability to travel as needed (< 10%).
• Strong technical writing capability & attention to detail.
• Valid Driver’s License to drive company vehicles on and off property.

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer - EEO is The Law

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/Women/Disabled/Veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position’s requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Your Right to Work – In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification document form upon hire.

For Assistance with Application - Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. Contact Human Resources Department at 702-625-5679; 1700 South Pavilion Center Dr. 8th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89135 to discuss reasonable accommodation.

Safety Provision - Employees are responsible for following all company, industry and regulatory procedures and laws to ensure a safe work environment for themselves and the company. Employees must have a willingness to promote safety among the workforce, participate in Process Hazard Analysis procedures and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews.

(PPE) Personal Protective Equipment is required when performing work in a mine, manufacturing, outdoor, or plant environment. Required PPE may include, but is not limited to, hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves, and any other protective equipment as required.

Working Conditions - Our facility sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Employees may be subject to extreme weather conditions when working in an outdoor setting (heat and cold, wind). Work is at an open pit mine or manufacturing/chemical plant setting, which may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, explosives, fumes, or airborne particles.

Physical Demands - Manual dexterity; sense of touch; sense of smell; speaking clearly; hearing-speech range; hearing – all ranges; seeing, reading and comprehensions; seeing – distant/near; depth perception; color vision. While performing the job responsibilities, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to stand and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel and to manipulate laboratory equipment. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employees must pass a full-face respiratory fit test. Employees must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to work in PPE level C. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required of the employee.