Staff Mechanical Engineer

About this role

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 Staff Mechanical Engineer to support our next-generation minerals processing pilot plant in Houston. You will lead the design, integration, and deployment of pilot-scale mechanical systems and processing equipment used to demonstrate and scale innovative refining technologies for critical minerals. This role is highly hands-on and will play a key role in building and maintaining a first-of-its-kind pilot plant. You will work closely with process engineers, technicians, and cross-functional teams to design, install, commission, and improve pilot-scale equipment while ensuring systems are reliable, safe, and scalable to commercial production.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

- Design, specify, and deploy mechanical systems and equipment for pilot-scale mineral processing operations

- Work closely with process engineers to translate process requirements into practical mechanical and plant designs

- Support installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of pilot plant equipment including pumps, piping systems, reactors, separators, filtration systems, and material handling equipment

- Develop and maintain mechanical design documentation including equipment specifications, layout drawings, piping schematics, and CAD models

- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, and operational performance

- Coordinate with vendors, fabricators, and contractors during equipment procurement and installation

- Support safe plant operations by contributing to hazard reviews, equipment safety design, and mechanical integrity programs

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- B.S., M.S., or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field

- 9+ 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, operations, and reliability

- Experience designing and maintaining furnaces, pumps and fluid handling systems, pressure vessels and reactors, piping systems and valves, filtration and separation equipment, and materials handling systems

- Ability to work closely with cross-functional teams including process engineering, operations, and project execution

- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in hands-on plant environments

- Strong commitment to Health, Safety, and Environmental compliance and mechanical integrity standards

- Excellent technical writing, communication, and teamwork skills

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

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.

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