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Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company focused on supplying critical minerals for modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. The company reimagines the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
As Senior Process Engineer, you will lead the design, deployment, and operation of first-of-its-kind refining processes for critical minerals at the San Francisco Pilot Plant. This is a highly hands-on role that bridges R&D and Operations, ensuring processes are robust, safe, cost-effective, and ready for commercial production.
Key responsibilities include:
- Operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving pilot-scale processing equipment alongside Pilot Plant Technicians
- Designing experiments to evaluate process performance, recovery, throughput, and product quality
- Creating and maintaining critical engineering documentation (PFDs, HMBs, P&IDs, Operating Procedures, Process Control Narratives)
- Leading equipment design from concept through procurement, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and handover to Operations
- Collaborating with R&D, commercial plant design engineers, and project execution teams to scale designs from lab to pilot to production
- Working with software and machine learning teams to develop and implement reactor and plant optimization algorithms
- Traveling to pilot and commercial sites to support commissioning, startup, and ramp-up activities
Required qualifications:
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field
- Minimum 5 years of experience in R&D scale-up, pilot plant operation, or commercial production in minerals processing, chemicals, specialty materials, oil & gas, or similar industries
- Strong understanding of reaction engineering, solid-liquid separation, leaching, ion exchange, solvent extraction, and similar unit operations
- Hands-on experience designing, commissioning, and operating pilot or commercial-scale process equipment
- Ability to design experiments, problem-solve, and analyze complex datasets
- Strong commitment to health & safety with experience in risk management, management of change, and hazard assessment
- Excellent technical writing, communication, and teamwork skills
- Comfort in fast-paced, cross-functional environments
