Lab Technician

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 Role

Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated analytical technician to join our San Francisco lab team. You will support the development and operation of first-of-its-kind refining processes for critical minerals by providing high-quality analytical data to guide process optimization and control.

This role is highly hands-on and will work closely with Operations Technicians, Engineers, and Data teams to ensure timely, accurate, and actionable chemical analysis of process streams, intermediates, and final products. You will play a critical role in bridging laboratory analytics with plant operations, helping ensure processes are robust, efficient, and ready for commercial scale-up.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare samples for analysis using techniques such as digestion, dilution, and/or filtration

• Perform elemental and compositional analysis of solid and liquid samples using ICP, NMR, XRF, Titrator, or similar analytical techniques

• Maintain and calibrate analytical instruments, ensuring proper performance, accuracy, and repeatability

• Develop and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sample preparation and analytical workflows

• Support method development and validation for new instruments, materials, and process streams

• Document analytical results in laboratory information systems and maintain clear experimental records

• Ensure safe handling and disposal of chemicals, acids, standards, and waste streams in compliance with safety protocols

• Maintain laboratory organization, cleanliness, and inventory of consumables and standards

Desired Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, or a related technical field

• Hands-on experience operating ICP, XRF, or similar analytical instrumentation

• Strong understanding of inorganic chemistry, trace element analysis, and matrix effects

• Experience working in minerals processing, metallurgy, chemicals, specialty materials, or similar industrial environments

• Familiarity with QA/QC protocols, calibration curves, standards preparation, and data validation

• Ability to troubleshoot instrumentation and perform routine maintenance

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, startup environment with evolving priorities

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity

• Ability to stand for extended periods

• Experience supporting pilot plant or production operations is a plus

Why Join Us?

At Mariana Minerals, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team reshaping the way critical minerals are sourced and supplied globally. You’ll have the autonomy to make big decisions, the tools to innovate, and a culture that values ownership, smart automation, and collaboration.

Our culture is built on three principles:

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.

Mariana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.