Staff Process Engineer

Mariana Minerals; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A critical minerals company in Houston is seeking a highly motivated Process Engineer to design and operate advanced refining processes. This hands-on role involves working with cross-functional teams, improving pilot-scale operations, and optimizing processes for commercial production. Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 5 years of related experience, a degree in Chemical Engineering, and strong problem-solving skills. Join a mission-driven team dedicated to innovative mineral sourcing solutions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in operations, process scale‑up, or plant design.
• Strong understanding of unit operations and equipment in minerals processing.
• Ability to design experiments and analyze operational datasets.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment and process design from concept to startup.
• Operate and improve pilot‑scale processing equipment.
• Analyze data to identify process optimization opportunities.

Skills

Equipment design

Process optimization

Troubleshooting

Technical writing

Teamwork

Education

B.S., M.S., or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

PFDs

P&IDs

Data analysis tools

Job description

About Mariana Minerals

Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company on a mission to supply the critical minerals powering modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We’re reimagining the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

The Role

Mariana Minerals is seeking a highly motivated Process Engineer to support our next‑generation minerals processing pilot plant in Houston. You will help design, deploy, and operate first‑of‑its‑kind refining processes for critical minerals. This role is highly hands‑on and will play a key role in bridging R&D and plant operations, helping scale technologies from laboratory development through pilot demonstration and ultimately to commercial production. You will work closely with technicians, engineers, and cross‑functional teams to ensure processes are robust, safe, and ready for industrial deployment.

What You’ll Do

• Lead equipment and process design from concept through procurement, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and startup

• Operate, troubleshoot, and improve pilot‑scale processing equipment in collaboration with pilot plant technicians

• Design and execute pilot‑scale experiments to evaluate process performance, recovery, throughput, and product quality

• Develop and maintain key process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, mass and heat balances, operating procedures, and control narratives

• Analyze experimental and operational data to identify opportunities for process optimization and scale‑up

• Support development of automated plant monitoring and optimization tools in collaboration with software and machine learning teams

• Ensure safe operations by supporting EHS, hazard assessments, risk management, and management of change processes

Desired Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field

• 5+ years of experience in operations, process scale‑up, or plant design in minerals processing, chemicals, specialty materials, oil & gas, or related industries

• Demonstrated experience driving equipment design, commissioning, and plant operation

• Strong understanding of relevant unit operations and equipment such as kilns, furnaces, ion exchange, solvent extraction, solid‑liquid separation, leaching, electrowinning, or similar technologies

• Ability to design experiments, troubleshoot complex processes, and analyze operational datasets

• Strong commitment to Health, Safety, and Environmental compliance

• Excellent technical writing, communication, and teamwork skills

• Comfortable working in fast‑paced environments, wearing multiple hats, and managing ambiguity

Why Join Us?

At Mariana Minerals, you’ll be part of a mission‑driven team reshaping the way critical minerals are sourced and supplied globally. You’ll have the autonomy to make big decisions, the tools to innovate, and a culture that values ownership, smart automation, and collaboration.

Our culture is built on three principles:

Extreme Ownership – We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions.

Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate – We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale.

Share Your Legos – We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.

Join us as we build the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply.

Mariana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.