Pilot Plant Technician - Automation & Process Optimization

Mariana Minerals; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mariana Minerals in San Francisco is seeking a hands-on technician to join our Pilot Plant team. You will support the design, deployment, and operation of first-of-its-kind refining processes for critical minerals, while also supporting development of software for automated plant optimization.

This role is highly hands-on and will bridge R&D and Operations, ensuring processes are robust, safe, cost-effective, and suitable for commercial production.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical certificate required.
• 3+ years of pilot plant or similar industrial experience.
• Familiar with LOTO, hot work, confined space and safe work permitting processes.
• Experience using HMIs and plant software to monitor and control processes.
• Hands-on equipment installation, modification, and troubleshooting.
• Basic inorganic chemistry knowledge and pH concepts a plus.
• Familiarity with PFDs, narratives, or P&IDs is a plus.
• Ability to climb stairs, stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Assist engineers to operate and monitor copper extraction chemical processes.
• Safely handle chemicals and waste per SOPs and regulations.
• Support sampling, quality checks, and basic lab measurements.
• Assist with design, install, startup, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Maintain plant cleanliness and organize tools and equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance and document actions in CMMS.
• Create and maintain procedures, records, and shift reports.

Skills

Pilot plant ops

HMI/SCADA

Laboratory measurements

Equipment installation

Safety procedures

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate

Tools

CMMS

HMIs

Job description

Mariana Minerals in San Francisco is seeking a hands-on technician to join our Pilot Plant team. You will support the design, deployment, and operation of first-of-its-kind refining processes for critical minerals, while also supporting development of software for automated plant optimization.

This role is highly hands-on and will bridge R&D and Operations, ensuring processes are robust, safe, cost-effective, and suitable for commercial production.