Marianaminerals
Sr. Pyrometallurgical Process Engineer
4mo ago
130000 –160000 USD / yearUSASeniorprocess modelingthermodynamicsequipment commissioningheat balancematerial balance
Lead development and deployment of pyrometallurgical process systems in mineral supply chain.
Responsibilities
- Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated Pyrometallurgical Process Engineer to help build the critical minerals supply chain supporting the world’s energy transition.
- As a Pyrometallurgical Process Engineer at Mariana Minerals, you will lead the development and deployment of first-of-its-kind high-temperature refining and thermal processing systems. You will play a central role in designing, modeling, scaling, and commissioning pyrometallurgical unit operations, while supporting development of software tools for capital project execution and automated plant optimization.
- Responsibilities include leading equipment and process scopes from concept and modeling validation through detailed engineering, installation, commissioning, ramp-up, and handover to operations.
Other
- 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.
- Lead pyrometallurgical process scopes from early concept development and thermodynamic modeling through procurement, detailed engineering, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and ramp-up
- Develop detailed heat and material balances for high-temperature process trains, including drying, calcination, roasting, reduction, smelting, converting, slag cleaning, refining, and off-gas treatment
- Design and validate thermal process flowsheets and PFDs/P&IDs for pyrometallurgical circuits, ensuring safety, reliability, and scalability
- Build first-principles thermodynamic and kinetic models for high-temperature reactors and furnaces (e.g., rotary kilns, calciners, electric arc furnaces, submerged arc furnaces, reverberatory furnaces, flash smelters) to support scale-up and commercial deployment
- Model and optimize phase equilibria, slag chemistry, metal recovery, refractory performance, and energy efficiency
- Define specifications and operating envelopes for high-temperature process equipment, burners, power systems, refractory linings, and gas-handling systems
- Identify, evaluate, and implement process improvements to maximize metal recovery, minimize energy consumption, control emissions, and ensure stable furnace operation under varying feedstock chemistries
- Collaborate closely with R&D, lab teams, and pilot-plant engineers to translate bench- and pilot-scale findings into robust commercial pyrometallurgical designs
- Work with environmental and controls teams to design and optimize off-gas handling systems (e.g., cyclones, baghouses, scrubbers, thermal oxidizers, heat-recovery systems)
- Partner with software and machine-learning teams to automate process-engineering workflows and develop advanced control, optimization, and digital-twin models for high-temperature reactors and furnaces
- Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and demonstrated ability to leverage the understanding to solve challenging problems
- Strong foundation in chemical engineering, metallurgical engineering, or process engineering, with demonstrated ability to apply engineering fundamentals to complex pyrometallurgical systems
- Experience with equipment engineering and design. Including but not limited to:
- Brownfield modifications and upgrades of process equipment (e.g., leach tanks, reactors, filtration systems, solvent extraction circuits)
- Greenfield design of hydrometallurgical unit operations and integrated circuits
- Troubleshooting, evaluation, and optimization of operating pyrometallurgical or chemical-process equipment
- Experience with the following industries and/or production environments:
- Pyrometallurgical mineral processing or metal refining
- Large-scale mining, critical-minerals processing, or battery-materials production
- Industrial chemical manufacturing with complex aqueous/chemical reaction systems
- Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC/EPCM) firms supporting mining and mineral processing industry projects
- 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.