Pilot Plant Operations Lead – Automation & Safety

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

Job summary

Mariana Minerals is seeking an experienced Operations Supervisor for our San Francisco Pilot Plant. You will lead a team of technicians supporting design, deployment, and operation of first-of-its-kind refining processes for critical minerals, while helping develop software for automated plant optimization.

The role is hands-on, bridging R&D and operations to ensure safe, cost-effective processes and data-driven decision-making that scales toward commercial production.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a supervisory or lead role.
• 5+ years operating pilot plant or industrial equipment in related sectors.
• Experience with LOTO, hot work permitting, confined space and safe work systems.
• Experience using HMIs and plant software to monitor and control processes.
• Experience overseeing equipment installation, modification and troubleshooting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to climb stairs, stand long, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Directly lead a team of operations technicians.
• Drive performance reviews, scheduling, training, and hiring.
• Collaborate with engineers and R&D to operate and monitor refining processes.
• Provide off-hours support for plant upsets and high-priority projects.
• Create and maintain EHS programs for chemical handling and waste management.
• Ensure high-quality data capture via sampling and instrumentation uptime.
• Maintain plant cleanliness and readiness of tools and equipment.
• Develop procedures, shift reports, and critical operations records.

Skills

Leadership

Safety programs

Team management

HMI experience

Data capture

Process chemistry basics

Tools

Plant software systems

HMIs

Job description

Mariana Minerals is seeking an experienced Operations Supervisor for our San Francisco Pilot Plant. You will lead a team of technicians supporting design, deployment, and operation of first-of-its-kind refining processes for critical minerals, while helping develop software for automated plant optimization.

The role is hands-on, bridging R&D and operations to ensure safe, cost-effective processes and data-driven decision-making that scales toward commercial production.