--- title: 'Drill and Blast Engineer at Mariana Minerals' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/drill-and-blast-engineer-mariana-minerals-moab-z7mftjd38fdy' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Drill and Blast Engineer at Mariana Minerals - **Company:** Mariana Minerals - **Location:** Moab, UT - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-03-23 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/marianaminerals/a879b24c-1cce-4ea0-908f-b529c9d22c72/application **Skills:** Blast design software, ShotPlus, JKSblast, ANFO, Emulsion delivery systems, Bulk delivery systems, Blast modeling, MSHA regulations, ATF regulations, Geotechnical collaboration, Drilling program management, Heap leach operations, Copper operations > 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! ## 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 - [Sr./Staff Process Engineer - Detailed Engineering and Plant Design](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-staff-process-engineer-detailed-engineering-and-plant-design-mariana-m9xewg6hdcc5) — Houston, TX - [Industrial Electrician](https://feeny.ai/job/industrial-electrician-mariana-minerals-moab-snerjqgb4qbh) — Moab, UT - [Sr. Technical Recruiter](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-technical-recruiter-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-hr9b2676c4vw) — San Francisco, CA - [R&D Metallurgist](https://feeny.ai/job/r-d-metallurgist-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-2y0a92fe9ese) — San Francisco, CA - [Maintenance Mechanic](https://feeny.ai/job/maintenance-mechanic-mariana-minerals-moab-bc9jcgbeg61b) — Moab, UT - [Process Maintenance Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/process-maintenance-technician-mariana-minerals-moab-c6pyeb53jmef) — Moab, UT - [Mobile Maintenance Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/mobile-maintenance-supervisor-mariana-minerals-moab-0zyyzma9tm1n) — Moab, UT - [Sr./Staff Pyrometallurgical Process Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-staff-pyrometallurgical-process-engineer-mariana-minerals-houston-dpv5c9qyznbb) — Houston, TX - [Electrician](https://feeny.ai/job/electrician-mariana-minerals-east-50vs2farzxq5) — East, TX - [Staff Process Controls Engineer - Networking and Systems Administration](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-process-controls-engineer-networking-and-systems-administration-mariana-yysg2twzjx6r) — San Francisco, CA