Maintenance Engineer

Who we are: We are on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies are required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, and our battery grade lithium and tech metals are needed for chipsets, semiconductors, and 5G. We have a substantial interest in the Round Top, Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals deposit in West Texas. We have also developed the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility and we own the only scalable, sintered neo‑magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing this fully integrated, US‑based “mine‑to‑magnet” critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading domestic supplier to these industries. What you can expect: At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we: Build Solutions : If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution‑oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world‑class solutions in sustainable ways. Deliver Quality : When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top‑tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first. Lead responsibly : We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind. Win Together : Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better. Job Summary: We are looking for a proactive and technically skilled Project Engineer to support both engineering projects and day‑to‑day maintenance activities within our metal and alloys facility. Working in an environment that includes high‑temperature furnaces, complex mechanical systems, and critical production equipment, you will play a key role in ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the plant. This role combines hands‑on engineering with project delivery, giving you the opportunity to lead upgrades, support continuous improvement initiatives, and contribute to long‑term asset reliability. You will work closely with production, maintenance, and HSE teams to diagnose issues, optimize equipment performance, and deliver engineering solutions that support operational targets. The ideal candidate will be a multi‑skilled engineer with a strong mechanical background, a commitment to safety, and a desire to grow within a fast‑paced industrial environment. Whether you’re supporting furnace rebuilds, improving cooling systems, or driving preventative maintenance, your work will directly impact uptime, product quality, and site performance. As part of this role, you will be required to travel to our UK site for an initial training period. During this time, you will learn Less Common Metals’ processes, standards, and operating methods. You will then serve as the trainer and team lead for the US site once operations commence, ensuring knowledge transfer and consistent global standards. Key Responsibilities Maintenance & Engineering Support Provide proactive maintenance and engineering support across all production areas to maximise equipment uptime and operational stability. Diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical faults on a wide range of industrial equipment, including furnace systems, cooling circuits, pumps, motors, and control panels. Follow, update, and improve Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules to optimise performance, reduce breakdowns, and extend equipment life. Carry out routine inspections on furnaces, refractory linings, burners, induction systems, vacuum systems, and associated utilities. Ensure all engineering activities are completed safely and in line with Health & Safety standards, including lock‑out/tag‑out, confined space, and hot‑work procedures. Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing equipment reliability, energy efficiency, process stability, and product quality. Participate in engineering projects, upgrades, and installations as directed by the Engineering Coordinator or Engineering Manager. Manage and maintain engineering tools, spare parts, stores, and technical documentation to ensure availability and compliance. Work flexibly to meet production needs, including occasional shift support, call‑outs, or overtime during critical maintenance windows. Contribute positively to a strong team culture, supporting colleagues and sharing technical knowledge where appropriate. Project & Process Improvement Assist in planning and delivering engineering projects such as furnace rebuilds, equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and infrastructure enhancements. Support commissioning activities, ensuring new equipment is installed safely, tested thoroughly, and handed over effectively to production teams. Analyze equipment performance data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities. Collaborate with production, quality, and HSE teams to ensure engineering solutions align with operational, safety, and environmental requirements. Qualifications A multi‑skilled engineer with a mechanical bias (approximately 70/30 mechanical to electrical). Experience with systems such as temperature control, vacuum systems, water/air cooling, dust extraction, hydraulics, pneumatics, and 3‑phase power. Ideally, experience in a foundry, furnace, or molten‑metal environment — however, full training will be provided for the right candidate. Strong commitment to Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental standards, especially in high‑temperature and heavy‑industry settings. Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and technical manuals. A positive attitude, strong self‑motivation, and a willingness to learn and grow with the business. Excellent problem‑solving skills with a hands‑on approach and the ability to work under pressure. Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with production, engineering, and management teams. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, a manufacturing floor and a construction site. Noise level: Normal office, manufacturing and construction noises USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities USA Rare Earth’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. For assistance applying for employment through this site due to disability, please contact Human Resources, View email address on click.appcast.io, to discuss reasonable accommodations. #J-18808-Ljbffr