Senior Director, Applications Engineering

Job Description

Job Description

Company Overview:

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification.

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:

The Senior Director of Applications Engineering will lead and oversee the strategic direction and execution of the applications engineering function within the organization. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, ensuring the successful delivery of complex engineering projects, and aligning technical solutions with business objectives. The Senior Director will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product management, R&D, and customer success to develop scalable and high-quality application solutions. They will be responsible for mentoring and developing a high-performing team of engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence. Ultimately, this position ensures that the applications engineering team delivers impactful solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and support the company’s growth initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the applications engineering team in designing, developing, and deploying advanced application solutions that meet customer and business needs.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to improve engineering processes, tools, and methodologies to increase efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate with product management and other stakeholders to define technical requirements and translate them into actionable engineering plans.
• Manage resource allocation, budgeting, and project timelines to ensure successful delivery of engineering projects.
• Mentor and coach engineering managers and individual contributors to foster professional growth and maintain high team morale.
• Drive innovation by staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies, integrating relevant advancements into the engineering roadmap.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key customers and partners to understand their needs and provide technical leadership.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, security protocols, and regulatory requirements in all engineering activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• At least 10 years of experience in applications engineering or software development, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of managing large, complex engineering teams and delivering enterprise-grade application solutions.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC), agile methodologies, and modern engineering best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple teams and levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, or Business Administration.
• Experience in a senior leadership role within a technology-driven company, preferably in the software or SaaS industry.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and modern application architectures such as microservices and containerization.
• Demonstrated success in driving digital transformation initiatives and implementing DevOps practices.
• Professional certifications related to project management, software architecture, or cloud technologies.

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.

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