Machine Learning Engineer

About Mariana Minerals

Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company focused on supplying critical minerals essential for modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We aim to revolutionize the minerals supply chain through advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making. Our mission includes designing, building, commissioning, and operating our own mines and refineries, developing proprietary chemical processes, and running them at various scales.

The Role

Mariana Minerals is pioneering the critical minerals supply chain and seeks Machine Learning Engineers to drive its autonomy. Unlike traditional software companies, we are a mining company that develops and operates our own facilities. Our first commercial-scale lithium production facility, Lithium One, is scheduled to begin production in Q1 2027. As a Machine Learning Engineer, you will contribute to the development of machine learning systems that control our mineral refining facilities.

• Run reinforcement learning experiments in our simulators to improve control models.
• Build and refine training environments, including reward functions, observations, and action logic.
• Train control models, analyze performance, and debug issues.
• Collaborate with process and chemistry experts to understand the unit operations being modeled.

Tech

This role involves cutting-edge applied AI work, particularly in controlling mineral refining circuits. We use reinforcement learning toolkits similar to those used in self-driving vehicles and humanoid robots but adapted for real-time optimization of lithium recovery, reagent consumption, energy efficiency, and equipment uptime.

• Work in physically realistic simulators to train control models.
• Compare model behavior with real plant data to ensure accuracy.
• Close the gap between simulation and reality to achieve optimal performance.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and refine reinforcement learning experiments in simulators.
• Build and refine training environments, focusing on reward functions, observations, and action logic.
• Train control models, track their performance, and identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with process and chemistry experts to gain a deeper understanding of the unit operations being modeled.

Desired Qualifications

• 0-4 years of experience in machine learning, reinforcement learning, or scientific computing, or a strong recent graduate with relevant project experience.
• A solid foundation in machine learning fundamentals, including deep learning, with practical experience in Python.
• Proficiency in Python and ability to read and debug existing codebases.
• An interest in physical and industrial systems, combined with a willingness to learn from experts in process engineering and chemistry.
• A self-starter who asks insightful questions, actively works on issues, and escalates blockers promptly.

Why This Role

We are at the forefront of transforming mining operations through modern software. Every facility we build enhances our software's intelligence, making subsequent projects faster and more cost-effective. The role offers significant opportunities to shape the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply.

Compensation Range

$120K - $160K