Commissioning Engineer

Mariana Minerals•Houston, TX

12h

About The Position

Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company supplying critical minerals for energy, AI, and defense technologies. The Commissioning Engineer will join its commissioning team and own electrical and mechanical commissioning scopes, including energizing power systems, bringing equipment and utilities online, and safely starting new systems. The role works alongside local commissioning teams, takes ownership of assigned scopes, and helps ensure systems are built and used effectively throughout commissioning. The first year will likely focus on Copper One, an operating copper mine and refinery in Utah, or Lithium One, a new lithium facility in Texas. The engineer will then travel to sites worldwide as new capacity comes online. Between commissioning projects, the role supports design teams and projects at other sites. This is a hands-on position involving field problem-solving, some design work as needed, and bringing new systems online safely. The position involves travel of up to 80%, including extended site assignments during commissioning, with possible short-notice trips. Between projects, work is performed from a Mariana office or, preferably, an operating asset when needed. Work conditions include active industrial and construction sites and extended or irregular hours during commissioning, followed by stretches of remote or office-based work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in chemical, mechanical, electrical, or a related engineering field preferred, or proven hands-on experience commissioning industrial systems.
Hands-on commissioning experience on greenfield or new-plant startups, with deep expertise in electrical or mechanical systems and working knowledge of the other.
Working knowledge of equipment common in mining and/or refining and plant utilities.
Ability to read and mark up single-lines, P&IDs, schematics, and mechanical drawings.
Collaborative approach, willingness to share knowledge, and ability to help improve the team.
Strong safety mindset and experience leading safe energization, LOTO, and startup practices, including NFPA 70E.
Valid driver’s license.
Willingness to travel up to 80%, including extended onsite commissioning assignments and possible short-notice trips.

Nice To Haves

Background in battery/EV, semiconductor, data centers, advanced manufacturing, or similar fast-paced industrial environments.
PLC/controls and instrumentation startup experience.
Experience at a company that designs, installs, and commissions its own equipment.
Comfort using AI tools to speed up work.
Desire to help build a smart P&ID system.

Responsibilities

Lead commissioning teams at various locations and travel to sites during commissioning.
Develop detailed commissioning plans before commissioning activities.
Ensure documentation is complete, including LOTO procedures, work instructions, maintenance procedures, plans, schedules, and budgets.
Own commissioning scopes aligned with engineering expertise.
Lead safe startup practices.
Confirm proper equipment installation and functionality, and lead onsite dry and wet commissioning activities.
Lead ramping activities for assigned commissioning areas.
Verify equipment functionality, including controls functionality.
Train onsite operators and maintenance personnel and hand over equipment.
Provide technical expertise to assist process engineering after handover to operations, as needed.
Simplify commissioning procedures and assist in building tools in MarianaOS to automate and scale them.
Document and share lessons learned to strengthen the playbook for future sites.
Support design teams and projects at other sites between commissioning cycles.
Contribute to design reviews and HazOps during the design phase.
Model site safety policies and help lead safe startup practices.
Lead JHAs and LOTO for the assigned commissioning scope, follow permit-to-work procedures, and participate in safety meetings, audits, and incident investigations.
Participate in HazOps.
Wear proper PPE and complete all site safety training.