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Laboratory Technician

Mariana Minerals· Process Development
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San Francisco HQ$40/hr - $45/hrFull-timePosted 1w ago

About the role

Laboratory Technician position at Mariana Minerals responsible for operating high-temperature processing equipment in the Deep Sea Nodule Lab to convert polymetallic nodules into battery-grade nickel, copper and cobalt. Hands-on role with supervision transitioning to independent operation, ensuring safety and accurate data recording.

Responsibilities

  • 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

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

Skills

Required:High-temperature operationSafety and complianceData recording and analysis

Benefits

  • Offers Equity
Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Mariana Minerals

We to the Future of Minerals, verify the mineral supply chain.

Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company focused on supplying the minerals critical to modern energy, AI, and defense technologies.

software-firstmineralsenergyAIdefense
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