Pilot Plant Supervisor

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.

Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated Operations Supervisor to join our San Francisco Pilot Plant team. You will oversee a team of high performing technicians who 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 position is highly hands-on and will play a critical role in bridging R&D and Operations, ensuring processes are robust, safe, cost-effective, and suitable for commercial production.

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  Serve as the direct lead for a team of high performing operations technicians

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  Help drive performance reviews, scheduling, training, and hiring

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  Collaborate with engineers, R&D scientists, and the technicians to operate and monitor mineral extraction chemical processes

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  Provide off-hours support on evenings and weekends to plant upsets and high priority projects

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  Create and sustain EHS programs and policies regarding chemical handling, hazard assessment, high risk activities, PPE and waste management compliance

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  Ensure high-quality data capture from the plant via sampling, basic laboratory measurements, instrument uptime, and MarianaOS usage

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  Own plant cleanliness and organization, ensuring work areas, tools, and equipment are well-maintained and ready for operations

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  Create and maintain procedures, experimental records, shift reports, and other critical operations documents

• 2+ years of experience in a supervisory or lead role

• 5+ years of experience operating pilot plant or commercial scale industrial equipment in the minerals processing, chemicals, specialty materials, oil & gas, biotech, or similar industry

• Demonstrated leadership in core plant safety work processes such as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), hot work permitting, confined space entry, and safe work permitting systems

• Experience using human–machine interfaces (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, reaction stoichiometry, etc)

• Experience using engineering documents such as PFDs, control narratives, and P&IDs

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Climb stairs, stand for extended periods of time, and safely lift up to 50 lbs