Principal Engineer I – Process Engineering

Freeport-McMoRan

Technical lead for large-scale growth projects requiring process engineering expertise and strategic initiative collaboration. Focus on delivering sound engineering judgment and high-level guidance throughout project development.

Posted 5/19/2026full-timePhoenix • Arizona • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $120,000 - $167,500 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

As a technical leader, this role focuses on large‑scale growth projects and strategic initiatives, providing process engineering expertise, engineering leadership, and high‑level guidance throughout the project development cycle while collaborating across the organization to deliver sound engineering judgment and strategic insight.
Review, verify, and approve engineering documents including PFDs, P&IDs, design criteria, mass/energy balances, equipment specifications, and metallurgical test work scopes.
Ensure engineering deliverables conform to internal standards, project requirements, and best practices.
Investigate complex technical challenges and recommend practical, cost‑effective solutions grounded in engineering fundamentals.
Collaborate with discipline engineers, site teams, EPC partners, and stakeholders to ensure high‑quality execution.
Recommend improvements to engineering standards, workflows, tools, and design methodologies.
Support long‑range technical planning, capital budgeting, and strategic project evaluation.
Work closely with operations, geology, maintenance, project management, and corporate technical groups to deliver integrated solutions.
Ensure project and site teams implement engineering improvements and design recommendations.
Mentor and coach engineers and technical specialists to build internal capability, and contribute to internal technical guidelines, knowledge libraries, and best‑practice documents.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering and seven (7) years of experience in a related engineering field OR Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering and five (5) years of experience in a related engineering field OR PhD in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering and three (3) years of experience in a related engineering field
Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
Ability to translate complex technical issues into actionable recommendations
High degree of professional judgment with the ability to influence at multiple organizational levels
Strong collaboration skills
Ability to research and analyze complex information and draw valid conclusions
Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety precautions
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to technical and non‑technical stakeholders, verbally and in writing
Experience supporting prefeasibility, feasibility, and FEL design stages.
Experience with major capital project environments (EPC/EPCM experience advantageous).
Familiarity with process modeling and mass/energy balance tools (e.g., Metsim, HSC, JKSimMet).
Postgraduate degree or specialized training in extractive metallurgy or process design.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits
Company-paid life and disability insurance
401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave
Tuition Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Discounted insurance plans for auto, home and pet
Internal progression opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Metallurgical EngineeringChemical Engineeringprocess engineeringengineering leadershipmass/energy balancesequipment specificationsdesign methodologiesprefeasibility designfeasibility designFEL design

Soft Skills

analytical capabilitiesproblem-solvingcollaboration skillsprofessional judgmentinfluencing skillscommunication skillsmentoringcoachingresearch and analysisactionable recommendations

Certifications

Bachelor’s degreeMaster’s degreePhDspecialized training in extractive metallurgyspecialized training in process design