Drill and Blast Engineer at Mariana Minerals (Moab, UT)
Mariana Minerals· Moab, UT·
Role details
Summary
Design, execute, and optimize drilling and blasting operations at a surface copper site. The role involves leading blast design, managing drilling programs, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, and collaborating with mine operations to enhance fragmentation efficiency.
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
We are hiring a Drill & Blast Engineer to design, execute, and optimize drilling and blasting operations at our surface copper site in La Sal, UT. In this role, you will lead blast design, oversee drilling programs, and partner closely with mine operations to deliver safe, efficient, and cost effective fragmentation that supports high performance heap leach and excavation workflows. You’ll work hands on at the mine site, integrating advanced design tools, data-driven reconciliation, and continuous improvement to push the boundaries of modern blasting performance—while upholding the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance. Housing can be provided onsite.
What You’ll Do
Blast Design & Optimization
- Develop and refine blast patterns and charge designs tailored to specific geotechnical domains across ore and waste.
- Utilize ANFO, emulsions, bulk delivery systems, and timing systems (Nonel/electronic) to achieve optimal fragmentation and vibration control.
- Apply advanced blast modeling tools for fragmentation, timing, and vibration analysis.
- Lead KPI reconciliation, including powder factor, cost/ton, fragmentation outcomes, dilution, and elevation control, to improve blast performance over time.
Drill Program Management
- Plan and coordinate drilling patterns and schedules aligned with short and long term mine plans.
- Oversee drill contractors to ensure compliance with safety standards, hole specifications, production rates, and QA/QC.
- Maintain rigorous focus on pit wall stability through careful design and geotechnical collaboration.
Safety & Compliance
- Champion a safety-first culture in all blasting and explosives-handling activities.
- Ensure all operations exceed MSHA, ATF, and state regulatory requirements.
- Maintain accurate explosives inventory, blast logs, and compliance documentation.
- Conduct pre blast assessments and post blast evaluations to verify safety and performance.
Cost Management & Innovation
- Partner with blasting crews to ensure designs are executed accurately in the field.
- Analyze explosive consumption, initiation systems, and operational parameters to optimize total blasting cost.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement new technologies or methodologies that enhance efficiency and reduce operating cost.
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in surface mine drill & blast engineering.
- Proficiency in blast design software (e.g., ShotPlus, JKSblast).
- Strong understanding of MSHA and ATF regulations.
- Experience with bulk ANFO and emulsion delivery systems.
- Background in copper or heap leach operations (preferred).
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally with operators, engineers, and contractors.
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!
Why work at Mariana Minerals
- 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.