---
title: 'Staff Machine Learning Engineer (Autonomy) at Mariana Minerals'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-machine-learning-engineer-autonomy-mariana-minerals-san-francisco-twekjtk3nt52'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Staff Machine Learning Engineer (Autonomy) at Mariana Minerals

- **Company:** Mariana Minerals
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Compensation:** $160k–$200k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-06-26
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/marianaminerals/f7d09be9-5f01-4b98-9739-b9b8a56b630e/application

**Skills:** C++, Python, ROS, ROS 2, LiDAR, Cameras, Radar, IMU, GNSS, Sensor Fusion, Perception, Localization, Motion Planning, Real-time Systems, Embedded Systems, Controls, Software-Hardware Integration, Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, Automotive

> The Mechatronics Engineer will build autonomy and sensor-integration software for autonomous mining vehicles, enabling perception, localization, and safe vehicle motion. This role involves developing embedded and real-time software, integrating LiDAR, cameras, and radar, and leading validation efforts in a hands-on...

## 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.

## Role Overview

We are hiring Machine Learning Engineers (Autonomy) to build the autonomy and sensor-integration software that lets our mining vehicles perceive, decide, and drive themselves. In this role you will own parts of the software and sensor integration that enables full mining autonomy — sensor fusion across LiDAR, cameras, radar, and IMU/GNSS; perception, localization, and mapping; and the autonomy stack that turns sensing into safe vehicle motion. You will carry work from architecture and algorithm design through implementation, simulation, and bench and field validation, working hand in hand with our hardware, controls, and systems-engineering teams. This is a hands-on, first-principles role for an engineer who wants to develop the world’s first fully autonomous mines.

## What You’ll Do

- Develop autonomy software for autonomous mining vehicles focusing on one or more area: perception, SLAM, motion planning, and control
- Integrate and calibrate the sensing suite (LiDAR, cameras, radar, IMU, GNSS), implementing sensor fusion and time synchronization robust to dust, vibration, and corrosion-heavy mining environments
- Build and maintain embedded and real-time software that bridges sensing, compute, and actuation, with attention to safety, latency, and reliability
- Develop simulation, logging, and data pipelines to test autonomy behavior and drive performance against safety and availability targets
- Lead bench, rig, and field validation of the autonomy stack, debugging across the full software-hardware boundary
- Collaborate with hardware and controls engineers to integrate sensing, compute, and actuation into a complete vehicle

## What You’ll Bring

- Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical, or related engineering discipline
- 5-10+ years developing autonomy, robotics, or embedded software, ideally for mobile robots or vehicles
- Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python, and with a robotics middleware such as ROS/ROS 2
- Hands-on experience with sensor integration and fusion - LiDAR, cameras, radar, IMU, GNSS - and with perception, localization, or motion-planning algorithms
- Working knowledge of real-time and embedded systems, and of the controls and software-hardware integration that drive actuation
- Experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, automotive, or off-highway equipment strongly preferred

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)

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