Pilot Plant Operations Lead

marianaminerals; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mariana Minerals in San Francisco seeks a hands-on Operations Supervisor to lead a team of technicians supporting pilot plant operations and the development of software for automated plant optimization. This role bridges R&D and operations, ensuring safe, cost-efficient processes and robust data capture, while coordinating with engineers and scientists.

The ideal candidate has supervisory experience, strong safety leadership, and familiarity with HMIs and process chemistry; you’ll work

Qualifications

• 2+ years of supervisory or lead experience.
• 5+ years operating pilot plant or industrial equipment in minerals processing, chemicals, or related industry.
• Leadership in core plant safety work processes such as LOTO, hot work permitting, confined space entry, and safe work permitting systems.
• Experience using HMIs and plant software systems to monitor, control, and adjust process operation.
• Experience overseeing hands-on equipment installation, modification, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of basic process chemistry (pH, stoichiometry).
• Experience using engineering documents such as PFDs, control narratives, and P&IDs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the direct lead for a team of operations technicians.
• Help drive performance reviews, scheduling, training, and hiring.
• Collaborate with engineers, R&D scientists, and technicians to operate and monitor chemical processes.
• Provide off-hours support on evenings and weekends to plant upsets and high-priority projects.
• Create and sustain EHS programs and policies regarding chemical handling, hazard assessment, PPE and waste management compliance.
• Ensure high-quality data capture from the plant via sampling, basic laboratory measurements, instrument uptime, and MarianaOS usage.
• Own plant cleanliness and organization, ensuring work areas, tools, and equipment are well-maintained and ready for operations.
• Create and maintain procedures, experimental records, shift reports, and other critical operations documents.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Team leadership

LOTO safety

HMIs & plant software

Process monitoring

Equipment troubleshooting

Data capture

Communication skills

Physical fitness

Tools

HMIs

MarianaOS

Job description

Mariana Minerals in San Francisco seeks a hands-on Operations Supervisor to lead a team of technicians supporting pilot plant operations and the development of software for automated plant optimization. This role bridges R&D and operations, ensuring safe, cost-efficient processes and robust data capture, while coordinating with engineers and scientists.

The ideal candidate has supervisory experience, strong safety leadership, and familiarity with HMIs and process chemistry; you’ll work