The RoleMariana Minerals is seeking a highly motivated Staff Mechanical Engineer to support our next-generation minerals processing pilot plant in Houston. You will lead the design, integration, and deployment of pilot-scale mechanical systems and processing equipment used to demonstrate and scale innovative refining technologies for critical minerals. This role is highly hands-on and will play a key role in building and maintaining a first-of-its-kind pilot plant. You will work closely with process engineers, technicians, and cross-functional teams to design, install, commission, and improve pilot-scale equipment while ensuring systems are reliable, safe, and scalable to commercial production.
What You'll Do- Design, specify, and deploy mechanical systems and equipment for pilot-scale mineral processing operations
- Work closely with process engineers to translate process requirements into practical mechanical and plant designs
- Support installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of pilot plant equipment including pumps, piping systems, reactors, separators, filtration systems, and material handling equipment
- Develop and maintain mechanical design documentation including equipment specifications, layout drawings, piping schematics, and CAD models
- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, and operational performance
- Coordinate with vendors, fabricators, and contractors during equipment procurement and installation
- Support safe plant operations by contributing to hazard reviews, equipment safety design, and mechanical integrity programs
Desired Qualifications- B.S., M.S., or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- 9+ years of experience in operations, process scale-up, or plant design in minerals processing, chemicals, specialty materials, oil & gas, or related industries
- Demonstrated experience driving equipment design, commissioning, operations, and reliability
- Experience designing and maintaining furnaces, pumps and fluid handling systems, pressure vessels and reactors, piping systems and valves, filtration and separation equipment, and materials handling systems
- Ability to work closely with cross-functional teams including process engineering, operations, and project execution
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in hands-on plant environments
- Strong commitment to Health, Safety, and Environmental compliance and mechanical integrity standards
- Excellent technical writing, communication, and teamwork skills
- Comfortable working in fast-paced environments, wearing multiple hats, and managing ambiguity
