# Pilot Plant Operations Manager at Mariana Minerals

- Company: Mariana Minerals
- What the company does: Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company focused on supplying the minerals critical to modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. Backed by Khosla and a16z.
- Company website: https://marianaminerals.com/
- Type: Startups
- Level: Senior
- Location: Houston, TX
- Work setup: On-site
- Posted: 2026-10-14
- Apply by: 2026-11-28
- Apply: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/marianaminerals/e0c70afc-ed69-4e70-bcfa-ed601c2ca399?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/mariana-minerals-pilot-plant-operations-manager/

## About the role

Mariana Minerals is looking for an experienced Pilot Plant Operations Manager to lead operations at our DSM Pilot Plant in Houston. The DSM pilot is a first-of-its-kind, fully integrated flowsheet that couples a high temperature pyrometallurgical section with a downstream hydrometallurgical refining section. You will own safe, reliable, round-the-clock operation of both sections and lead the technician team that runs them. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- 5 or more years supervising a multi-shift team, and 10 or more years operating pilot or commercial scale process plants in minerals processing, metallurgy, or chemicals
- Hands-on operating experience in both pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes. Deep experience in one with demonstrated working exposure to the other will be considered
- High temperature equipment experience: kilns, roasters, calciners, or furnaces, including burner management systems, refractory, and hot solids handling
- Wet chemical unit operation experience: leaching, filtration or centrifugation, solvent extraction or ion exchange, precipitation, and crystallization
- Demonstrated safe handling of concentrated acids and bases, flammable solvents, and hazardous process gases
- Proven ownership of core safety work processes: lockout and tagout, hot work, confined space entry, and safe work permitting

Tags: Process Development

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/mariana-minerals-pilot-plant-operations-manager/