Principal Engineer I - Process Engineering

Why You Should Apply for This Job

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

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.

In this role you 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.

As the Principal Engineer I – Process Engineering you 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

What You Bring To Freeport

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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

What We Offer You

The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently  $120,000-$167,500 . This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional incentive compensation considerations based on company and individual performance.  Additionally, this position is currently eligible for annual long-term incentive consideration.  Long-term incentives are contingent upon authorized approval under the terms and conditions of the Company's plan and award agreements.  More details will be shared during the hiring process. Click here to view a sample of Total Rewards Estimate for this role.

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

Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!

What We Require

This position will require international travel up to two times per year for two weeks at a time. Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing as allowed by applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please be advised Freeport-McMoRan will never request payment for job-related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to HRSC@fmi.com.