Mining Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

Position Summary

We are seeking a Mining Engineering Intern to support the development of a new surface rare earth mining operation at the Round Top Mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas. This onsite role will provide hands-on exposure to mine planning, engineering analysis, site development, and field activities as the project advances toward construction and future operations. The intern will work alongside mining, geology, processing, and project development teams to support the development of a critical minerals project.

Key Responsibilities

• Support mine planning and design activities for a developing surface rare earth mine.
• Assist with pit design, mine sequencing, haul roads, material movement, and production planning.
• Analyze geological and mine planning data to support engineering and development decisions.
• Assist with mine development studies, engineering evaluations, cost estimates, and technical documentation.
• Support field investigations, surveying, site assessments, and other data collection activities.
• Prepare maps, drawings, reports, spreadsheets, and other engineering deliverables.
• Collaborate with geology, mineral processing, environmental, permitting, and project teams.
• Support the evaluation and development of practical, safe, and efficient mining methods for rare earth ore.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Mining Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Strong academic foundation in surface mining, mine planning, engineering principles, or related coursework.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in both office and field environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or experience in surface mine design, mine planning, production engineering, or critical minerals.
• Familiarity with mining engineering software, CAD, GIS, or mine planning tools.
• Previous mining, geology, engineering, or field experience.
• Interest in rare earth elements, critical minerals, and the development of domestic mineral resources.

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.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, move, sit, carry, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, lift, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk and hear. May be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 50 pounds in weight. Some work stress inherent to the position and extended work hours may be required. 

Work Environment:
The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, construction site, and active mining site. This work will be performed on-site at Round Top Mountain, including on drilling pads, and in the on-site core storage facility.    

Noise level:

Exposure will vary and include normal office noise, mining site noise (i.e. drilling activity and heavy equipment noise), and construction site noise depending on project phase and location.

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.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, move, sit, carry, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, lift, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk and hear. May be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 20 pounds in weight. Some work stress inherent to the position and extended work hours may be required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified.

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require assistance with the application process due to a disability, please contact people@usare.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.