Pilot Plant Technician: Automate Mineral Refining & Ops

marianaminerals; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mariana Minerals is seeking a hands-on technician to join the San Francisco Pilot Plant team. You will help design, deploy, and operate refining processes for critical minerals while supporting software development for plant optimization.

This role bridges R&D and Operations to ensure safe, cost-efficient, scalable processes. Ideal candidates have 3+ years operating pilot plant or similar industrial equipment, strong safety discipline, and experience with HMIs and plant software.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical certificate or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years operating pilot plant or similar industrial equipment.
• Experience with safety work processes (LOTO, hot work, confined space).
• Experience using HMIs and plant software to monitor and control operations.
• Hands-on equipment installation, modification, and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor copper extraction chemical processes.
• Safely handle chemicals, materials, and waste per SOPs.
• Support sampling, quality checks, and basic lab measurements.
• Assist with design, start-up, and commissioning of new equipment.

Skills

Safety procedures

HMI software

Mechanical troubleshooting

Laboratory measurements

Documentation

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate

Tools

CMMS

PFD/P&IDs

HMI systems

Job description

Mariana Minerals is seeking a hands-on technician to join the San Francisco Pilot Plant team. You will help design, deploy, and operate refining processes for critical minerals while supporting software development for plant optimization.

This role bridges R&D and Operations to ensure safe, cost-efficient, scalable processes. Ideal candidates have 3+ years operating pilot plant or similar industrial equipment, strong safety discipline, and experience with HMIs and plant software.