Principal Engineer I - Process Engineering

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Freeport-McMoRan is seeking a Principal Engineer I – Process Engineering in downtown Vancouver. This technical leadership role guides growth projects across the lifecycle, reviews PFDs and P&IDs, mass and energy balances, equipment specifications, and metallurgical scopes, and ensures deliverables align with internal standards. You will mentor engineers, contribute to long-range technical planning and capital budgeting, and collaborate with operations, geology, maintenance and EPC partners. Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s in Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering with 7 years of experience, or a master’s with 5 (or PhD with 3), plus strong analytics and EPC/EPCM experience and process modeling tools such as Metsim, HSC, JKSimMet. The salary range is 165k to 220k CAD plus comprehensive benefits; emphasize prefeasibility to FEL achievements, quantify impact, communicate clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders, and be prepared for pre-employment drug testing in a Vancouver onsite hybrid setting.

Where You Will Work

Located in Downtown Vancouver’s central business district, this area is a dense, high-end urban neighborhood dominated by major office towers, financial institutions, and professional services. Employees in Vancouver mostly follow a hybrid schedule where they are required to work within EPCM/design house environments, working closely alongside engineering and project delivery teams, attend in-person meetings or training and may also collaborate virtually.  It offers a fast-paced, corporate environment with strong transit access and a mix of nearby dining, retail, and residential amenities.

What You Will Do

As a technical leader, this role focuses on 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 $165,000 - $220,000 CAD. 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 discretionary and incentive payment considerations based on company and individual performance. More details will be shared during the hiring process.

•             Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits 

•             Company-paid life and disability insurance 

•             RRSP plan with employer contribution/match 

•             Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay

•             Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package! 

What We Require 

•             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 [email protected].