Run Plant Engineer

Company: Livent USA Corp
Location: Bessemer City
Posted on: February 11, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description About Rio Tinto: Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive. We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs—striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities. About Rio Tinto Lithium: On 5 March 2025, Rio Tinto completed the acquisition of Arcadium Lithium and combined it with its Rincon asset to form Rio Tinto Lithium, establishing Rio Tinto as a global leader in the supply of energy transition materials and one of the world’s top lithium producers. Position Summary : The Run Plant Engineer is responsible for safe and stable day-to-day operations of the production unit. You will work with cross functional teams to ensure alignment between EHS, commercial, manufacturing, and R&D. You will focus on shorter range of process improvement initiatives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Support the site’s safety efforts through activities such as safety observations, safety improvement projects and key safety procedure audits. Resolving day-to-day production issues and process problems Initiate and/or approve MOC requests to include action items, training, PSSR’s, etc. and communicate changes. Assist in incident investigations, identifying root causes and appropriate corrective actions to improve safety and environmental performance at the Bessemer City site. Analysis of Asset Utilization data for reliability and capacity improvement opportunities Process safety assessment and improvement initiatives Maintaining accurate process technology information Development and execution of small-scale quality, yield, or capacity improvement initiatives Capital project support Plant / process start-ups Participate on Process Hazards Analysis teams. Support resolution of high-risk scenario action items generated from PHA teams, etc. You will report to the Area Manager, and you will be based at the Bessemer City plant, where you will be assigned to support one of the operating units. Other job duties as may be assigned from time to time. Education and Experience: BS in Chemical Engineering required (strong consideration will be afforded to candidates with experience in Extractive Metallurgy, Minerals Processing or Hydrometallurgy) 3-10 years of experience in a chemical manufacturing environment (crystallizer experience, and cGMP or equivalent quality systems experience preferred) Knowledge and Skill Requirements: Strong knowledge of chemical processing with the ability to solve complex chemical engineering process problems Exposure to production and process functions Proficient in Project Management & AFE Process Presentation skills, public speaking Knowledge of PSM, LOPA, PHA, EHS Policy/Procedures/SOP, Environmental Regulations Specific to Plant Processes Proficiency in DCS/PLC Process Control Comfortable being out in the plant Good composure Familiar with Lean manufacturing principles, OAU Identify through observation bottlenecks and issues to help the existing production process run better Execute projects up to $100k Effective communicator, up and down Conduct and lead Root Cause Analysis and identifying preventative / corrective actions P&ID development Complete Mass and Energy Balances on unit operations to processes Provide process data to size pumps, exchangers, control valves, flow meters and other basic equipment or unit operations Basic systematic troubleshooting Proficiency in Excel and other MS Office products Familiar with and know how to read single line diagrams, piping isometrics, tank and equipment drawings Six Sigma Process safety knowledge Technical / functional skills Problem solving Actions oriented / drive for results Decision quality and data-based decision making Planning and project management Interpersonal skills and self-awareness Approachability Comfort around higher management Customer focus Safety Requirements: (position and location specific) All employees are expected to carry out their work functions in a healthy and safe manner, to encourage and support safe work practices at all times, and to report and/or rectify any unsafe conditions that may come to their attention immediately. Physical Demands: (position and location specific) 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. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision. Work Environment: (position and location specific) The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Personal Protective Equipment – (position specific) Must wear PPE as required based on job duties or when traveling to locations where PPE is essential. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. RIO TINTO LITHIUM employs people across a broad range of occupations in locations across the world. We are looking for people to join us in creating, developing, and improving our products, our processes, and our markets. Employees enjoy competitive compensation, a menu of work/life benefits and opportunities to continue developing their skills and building their career. RIO TINTO LITHIUM is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO, AAE, MFDV and supports a drug free workplace.

Keywords: Livent USA Corp, Huntersville , Run Plant Engineer, Engineering , Bessemer City, North Carolina