---
title: 'Project Engineer at Mariana Minerals'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/project-engineer-mariana-minerals-moab-etyzvj3jv3jj'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-23'
---

# Project Engineer at Mariana Minerals

- **Company:** Mariana Minerals
- **Location:** Moab, UT
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-23
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/marianaminerals/869b7615-7e92-4514-a4c0-462bed10f37d

## 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 Project Engineer designs and deploys first-of-a-kind mining and refining technologies at our Moab site. In this role, you will work across Mariana's process development, software, plant engineering, project execution, and operations teams to plan, build, and deliver the cross-functional projects that move our plant forward. The work varies week to week, from scoping a project and sizing equipment to standing beside the mechanic and electrician during startup. You will own projects from idea to handover and build new skills along the way.

## Responsibilities

- Scope, design, and lead process improvement and capital projects from concept through commissioning
- Develop process flow diagrams, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, and equipment specifications
- Size and select pumps, tanks, piping, and other process equipment
- Use plant data to find bottlenecks, improve recovery, and cut costs
- Work with the project mechanic and project electrician on installs, checkout, and startup
- Partner with controls and operations teams on control strategies and operating procedures
- Lead hazard reviews and management of change, and keep projects compliant with site safety standards
- Manage project scope, schedule, and budget, including vendor and contractor coordination

## Qualifications & Experience

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred or another related engineering degree
- Process or mechanical engineering experience in mining, chemical, oil & gas, or other heavy industrial operations, 4+ years
- Hands-on experience taking projects from design through commissioning and startup
- Comfort reading and producing P&IDs, PFDs, and equipment datasheets
- Strong data skills; experience with process data historians, Python, or similar tools is a plus
- Experience with hydrometallurgy, leaching, solvent extraction, or electrowinning is a plus
- Comfort working independently and a willingness to jump into unfamiliar problems
- EIT or PE is a plus

Schedule

- Monday-Friday Days
- Occasional weekends based on project needs

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

- Work in the processing plant in all weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, with exposure to fumes, dust, diesel, solvents, sulfuric acid, and other hazardous materials
- Able to stand, climb, bend, and kneel for extended periods, including work at heights and in tight spaces
- Adequate visual acuity, depth perception, and hearing (with correction or aids if needed) to work safely around operating equipment
- Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds
- Ability to wear required PPE at all times on site, including hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, hearing protection, and respiratory protection when needed

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

- [Staff Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-mechanical-engineer-mariana-minerals-houston-9pbk0g78xp4t) — Houston, TX
- [Mobile Maintenance Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/mobile-maintenance-supervisor-mariana-minerals-moab-0zyyzma9tm1n) — Moab, UT
- [Mobile Maintenance Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/mobile-maintenance-supervisor-mariana-minerals-moab-7ewztvzzvw62) — Moab, UT
- [Staff Process Modeling Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-process-modeling-engineer-mariana-minerals-houston-jdxhxvmnyejh) — Houston, TX
- [Procurement Manager, Mobile Equipment](https://feeny.ai/job/procurement-manager-mobile-equipment-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-js4g8wmj5qeg) — San Francisco, CA
- [Commercial Manager, Energy & Utilities](https://feeny.ai/job/commercial-manager-energy-utilities-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-v9bbex69xwyh) — San Francisco, CA
- [Sr. Cost Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-cost-control-engineer-mariana-minerals-houston-k7evjjm90kqj) — Houston, TX
- [Construction & Commissioning Quality Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/construction-commissioning-quality-engineer-mariana-minerals-houston-vyh5qjshhjfa) — Houston, TX
- [Document Control Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/document-control-coordinator-mariana-minerals-houston-3330bmj81ryg) — Houston, TX
- [Site Superintendent](https://feeny.ai/job/site-superintendent-mariana-minerals-houston-m211kc4vvnzb) — Houston, TX