Laboratory 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

The Laboratory Technician runs high-temperature processing equipment in Mariana Minerals' Deep Sea Nodule Lab, where we turn polymetallic nodules from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) into battery-grade nickel, copper and cobalt. This hands-on role prepares feed, operates a rotary kiln, electric arc furnace and induction converter, samples products, and keeps the lab safe and orderly. The role reports to the Process/Metallurgical Engineering lead and works under engineer supervision at first, with a path to independent operation.

What You'll Do

• Crush, screen, dry, split and weigh nodule and calcine samples; run nodule wash trials
• Operate the rotary kiln and its off-gas train: condenser, gas analyzers and NaOH impingers
• Prepare charges, monitor and tap electric arc furnace heats; run box furnace screening melts
• Run induction converter heats, including crucible pre-heat, pyrite charging, oxygen blows and timed sampling
• Monitor temperatures, arc power, gas flows and cooling water; respond to alarms and interlocks
• Verify exhaust fans and scrubbers before hot work; change gas cylinders and maintain scrubber liquor
• Record run data in batch sheets and spreadsheets: charge weights, temperatures, gas flows, product masses and sample IDs
• Track samples through shipment to external labs with chain-of-custody records
• Keep inventory of crucibles, refractories, reagents and gases
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs; support commissioning of new equipment
• Follow SOPs, lockout/tagout, hot-work and gas-handling procedures, and wear PPE for molten-metal work
• Inspect safety equipment on schedule and report near-misses and equipment issues promptly
• Desired Qualifications
• Associate degree or technical diploma in chemistry, materials, metallurgy or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience
• 2+ years' experience in a lab, foundry, smelter, refinery or similar high-temperature setting
• Comfort operating furnaces, gas cylinders and pressurized or water-cooled equipment
• Experience with molten metal handling, tapping or crucible melting is a plus
• Familiarity with induction, arc or tube furnaces, off-gas sampling or wet scrubbers is a plus
• Sample preparation for XRF or ICP analysis is a plus
• Careful record-keeping and working knowledge of Excel
• Strong safety habits and willingness to stop work when conditions are unsafe
• Able to lift up to 50 lb (23 kg), stand for long periods, and work near radiant heat, molten material and process gases
• Medically cleared and fit-tested for respirator use
• On-site role with standard weekday hours and occasional extended shifts to finish a furnace heat or cool-down
• 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!