---
title: 'Controls Technician at Mariana Minerals'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/controls-technician-mariana-minerals-joaquin-akr0mzmfnv5q'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Controls Technician at Mariana Minerals

- **Company:** Mariana Minerals
- **Location:** Joaquin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-08
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/marianaminerals/4fdfca83-0431-47cc-8c90-f806ea723092

## 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 Controls Technician provides electrical and controls support to keep our East Texas refinery running safely and reliably. In this role, you'll troubleshoot and repair electrical and controls wiring and programming across production equipment, working with 480V three-phase and single-phase AC circuits, transformers, switchgear, and motor control centers. You'll run tests, isolate problems, and keep our control systems healthy through preventive maintenance and upgrades. Because we're a startup, you'll also have a real hand in shaping how our maintenance program runs, from PM planning to CMMS, so the ideal fit is someone who likes solving problems and improving the way work gets done.

## Responsibilities

- Troubleshoot and diagnose electrical and controls issues across industrial equipment and processes, using system knowledge and the right instruments for the voltages and currents involved
- Install, test, and maintain electrical equipment, including motor control centers, switchgear, transformers, generators, circuits, and load centers, working from blueprints and one-line diagrams
- Maintain, program, and upgrade control systems, including Allen Bradley PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and industrial networks
- Perform preventive maintenance on electrical and control systems, including disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and calibration, and recommend equipment for inclusion in PM programs
- Execute the maintenance schedule, scope each job and determine the best approach, and log work and asset history accurately in our CMMS
- Work closely with operations, engineering, mechanics, and the maintenance crew; flag potential electrical hazards and suggest improvements to planning, scheduling, PM, and storeroom processes
- Follow all OSHA and company safety procedures and local, state, and national electrical codes; keep the shop safe and organized and protect product quality at all times

## Qualifications & Experience

- 3 + years of industrial or manufacturing maintenance experience focused on controls and electronics
- Proficiency with Allen Bradley controls equipment (SLC 500, ControlLogix, PanelView Plus, VFDs), HMIs, and industrial networks, along with the PLC software that supports them
- Able to own controls projects from start to finish
- Hands-on experience with 480V three-phase and single-phase AC circuits, transformers, switchgear, and motor control centers, plus strong knowledge of electrical power and distribution systems
- Ability to read one-line diagrams, blueprints, schematics, and manufacturer specifications, and to calculate circuit load requirements
- Well-rounded maintenance background, including hydraulics, pneumatics, and machine tools
- Skilled with hand and power tools and electrical test and measurement equipment
- Hydrometallurgy, mining, or battery materials experience is a plus

Schedule

- 12-hour shifts, 6 AM–6 PM
- Sunday–Tuesday plus every other Wednesday, or Thursday–Saturday plus every other Wednesday
- A night rotation will be added in the near future

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

- Work in the processing plant and shop in all weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, with exposure to chemicals and other hazardous materials
- Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and to stand, walk, and work in confined or elevated spaces for extended periods
- Ability to climb ladders and structures, with the manual dexterity to use hand and power tools

Our culture is built on four principles:

Everyone Gets Home Safe. We never put speed or cost ahead of people. 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!

## About Mariana Minerals

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company focused on supplying the minerals critical to modern energy, AI, and defense technologies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A, $85M funding in July 2025)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: Turner Caldwell (Co-Founder & CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Metal Ore Mining / Critical Minerals
- **Target customers**: B2B – energy, AI, and defense supply chains (including downstream manufacturers and government entities)
- **Mission or purpose**: "Create a future of critical mineral abundance" by reimagining the global minerals supply chain with software, automation, and data-driven decision making.

## Products & Services
- **Copper One (formerly Lisbon Valley Copper Mine)**: World’s first autonomous mine, located in Utah. Produces copper using integrated automation and software control. Restarted production in April 2026.
- **Lithium One**: Lithium project (on the roadmap or early development).
- **Other mineral projects**: Graphite, Uranium, Rare Earth Metals, Cobalt, Nickel, Aluminium – at various stages (stealth or roadmap).
- **CapitalProjectOS**: Internal software platform for capital project management (mentioned in leadership bio).
- **Technology Stack**: React, dbt, TypeScript, Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, microservices, SCADA, Autodesk, and many others – indicating a strong software engineering backbone.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – $85M Series A (July 2025, 1 investor)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Lead investor not publicly disclosed (Andreessen Horowitz was pitched but not confirmed as an investor). Partners include Bot Auto, WeRide, Pronto, Atoms (based on LinkedIn mentions). Also works with UMA (Utah Mining Association).
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 3,575% YoY to 107 employees (as of mid-2026). 73 active job postings. Opened the world’s first autonomous mine (Copper One) in April/May 2026, generating significant industry news and social media engagement.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Software-first approach**: The company builds automation and data systems from the ground up, rather than layering tech onto legacy mining operations. This enables fully autonomous mining.
- **Vertical integration**: They develop, own, and operate mineral projects, controlling the entire value chain from extraction to processing.
- **Deep tech stack**: Use of AI/ML (TensorFlow, PyTorch), simulation, and real-time control systems to optimize mining operations.
- **First-mover in autonomous mining**: Copper One is claimed to be the world’s first autonomous mine, giving them a significant lead in operational efficiency and safety.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale autonomous mining operations beyond copper (lithium, graphite, uranium, etc.)
- Secure domestic supply of critical minerals for U.S. energy, AI, and defense needs.
- Continue aggressive hiring across engineering, operations, and field roles.
- Expand from Utah to additional sites (Houston engineering office, potential new projects).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture principles**: "Extreme Ownership", "Engineer Out Requirements, Then Automate", "Share Your Legos" – emphasizing accountability, simplification, and collaboration.
- **Work environment**: High-growth startup with a mission-driven focus on critical infrastructure. Offices in San Francisco (HQ), Houston (Engineering), and La Sal, Utah (mine site). Hybrid/remote policy not explicitly stated, but multiple office locations suggest flexibility for field vs. office roles.
- **Notable perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI in a traditional industry. Strong engineering culture with modern tech stack (React, Python, ML). Rapid career growth due to company expansion.
- **Talent sources**: Attracts talent from Tesla, Redwood Materials, Lilac, ExxonMobil, Amazon Web Services, and other tech/energy companies – indicating a high-caliber peer group.

## Sources
1. [marianaminerals.com](https://marianaminerals.com/)
2. [marianaminerals.com/careers](https://marianaminerals.com/careers)
3. [marianaminerals.com/about](https://marianaminerals.com/about)
4. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/marianaminerals](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/marianaminerals)
5. [linkedin.com/company/mariana-minerals](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mariana-minerals)

## Other roles at Mariana Minerals

- [IP Counsel](https://feeny.ai/job/ip-counsel-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-p7p8qadb6xg7) — San Francisco, CA
- [Commercial Counsel](https://feeny.ai/job/commercial-counsel-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-c0kbyd0vszp7) — San Francisco, CA
- [Maintenance Training Opportunities](https://feeny.ai/job/maintenance-training-opportunities-mariana-minerals-moab-sd5f5z532gz1) — Moab, UT
- [Commissioning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/commissioning-engineer-mariana-minerals-houston-370gtt85kmfw) — Houston, TX
- [Production Planner](https://feeny.ai/job/production-planner-mariana-minerals-houston-xf1gadffk1h4) — Houston, TX
- [Sr./Staff Process Engineer - Detailed Engineering and Plant Design](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-staff-process-engineer-detailed-engineering-and-plant-design-mariana-sfmfv4wge0eb) — Houston, TX
- [Sr. Technical Recruiter](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-technical-recruiter-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-hr9b2676c4vw) — San Francisco, CA
- [Logistics Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/logistics-analyst-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-y00p556jbf2y) — San Francisco, CA
- [Plant Design Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/plant-design-manager-mariana-minerals-houston-5hz4w45hkerz) — Houston, TX
- [Pilot Plant Operations Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/pilot-plant-operations-manager-mariana-minerals-houston-s78cx16gdpcm) — Houston, TX