Materials Engineer
Job description
About the role
Mariana Minerals operates as a software-driven, vertically integrated minerals company dedicated to providing the essential minerals that support modern energy, artificial intelligence, and defense applications. The organization is transforming the minerals supply chain by merging deep industry knowledge with sophisticated software, automation, and data-informed decision-making. Mariana Minerals is looking for a driven Materials Engineer to become part of its research and product development group, where you will create, refine, and advance processes for new material synthesis from initial laboratory demonstrations through pilot testing and full commercial deployment. You will be instrumental in turning laboratory findings into production-ready methods that are both scalable and cost-effective, and the company's culture rests on three principles: Extreme Ownership, Engineer Out Requirements then Automate, and Share Your Legos.
Key facts
What you'll do
Run laboratory and pilot-scale wet chemical synthesis trials to test new material ideas and refine formulations.
Plan and carry out experiments that define reaction conditions, maximize yield, and ensure consistent repeatability across batches.
Choose appropriate equipment and process setups for moving from pilot operations to full commercial manufacturing scale.
Create process flow diagrams, instrumentation drawings, and mass and energy balance calculations for each production stage.
Partner with researchers, operations staff, and outside suppliers to make sure scale-up efforts go smoothly.
Take part in process safety evaluations, risk analysis sessions, environmental regulation planning activities, and compliance documentation.
Gather and interpret process data to find opportunities for improving efficiency, lowering costs, and boosting overall output.
Write detailed technical reports, comprehensive documentation, and presentations for both internal teams and outside stakeholders.
Coordinate with lab technicians, pilot plant specialists, process engineers, and project teams to move designs forward.
Partner with software and machine learning groups to build automated workflows for capital project execution.
Help develop reactor-level and plant-wide optimization algorithms that improve performance across the entire production line.
Requirements
Hold a master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, with a doctorate being preferred.
Have direct hands-on experience performing materials synthesis using solid-state, hydrothermal, precipitation, or comparable chemical preparation methods.
Be skilled in operating characterization instruments including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
Know how to use Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, thermal analysis, and spectroscopic techniques for thorough material evaluation.
Possess experience designing processes, specifying equipment, and scaling laboratory procedures up to pilot or production levels.
Demonstrate strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities grounded in a data-driven methodology, evidence-based reasoning, and structured experimentation.
Communicate clearly and work effectively within diverse, cross-functional teams in a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive setting.
Have familiarity with process simulation platforms such as OLI Systems or similar equivalent tools for chemical modeling.
Nice to have
Previous experience working in a vertically integrated operation that combines hardware development and software engineering disciplines.
Background in capital project management or execution within a fast-paced, high-growth industrial manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of automation frameworks, scripting languages, and data pipelines for process optimization and workflow purposes.
Understanding of supply chain dynamics for critical minerals used in energy storage and advanced technology sectors.
Experience presenting technical findings to non-technical audiences and external partners in clear, accessible language.
Skills & tools
Wet chemical synthesis techniques including precipitation, hydrothermal processing, and solid-state reaction methods.
Process design software and simulation platforms for modeling chemical reactions and unit operations.
Characterization equipment such as XRD, SEM, TEM, BET analyzers, TGA, DSC, and various spectrometers.
Process and instrumentation diagram creation tools for documenting industrial-scale manufacturing systems and layouts.
Data analysis and visualization tools for interpreting large experimental datasets and ongoing process metrics.
Familiarity with machine learning frameworks applied to reactor optimization and plant performance modeling.
Version control and collaboration platforms such as Git for managing engineering documentation and design files.
Practical notes
This role is based at the San Francisco headquarters, requiring on-site presence during standard business hours.
The position reports into the R&D and product development organization and works across multiple departments.
Candidates should expect to travel occasionally to partner facilities, pilot sites, vendor locations, and external offices as needed.
The hiring process includes technical interviews, a hands-on practical assessment, and discussions with cross-functional team leads and senior management.