# Staff Process Modeling Engineer

**Company:** [Mariana Minerals](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-companies/mariana-minerals)
**Location:** Houston, TX
**Work mode:** On-site
**Employment type:** Full Time
**Salary:** USD 100K–160K/yr
**Category:** Manufacturing
**Department:** Other
**Listed:** 2026-03-30

[View and apply on Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/mariana-minerals/process-modeling-engineer-451bfa6d-b429-450f-b272-5a77d52cf384)

## Job description

### **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 seeking a highly motivated Staff Process Modeling Engineer to support the development of next-generation refining processes for critical minerals — key to enabling the world’s energy transition.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing, validating, and optimizing heat and material balance models using tools such as ASPEN Plus/HYSYS, SysCAD, OLI Studio, or METSIM. You will work closely with R&D, pilot operations, and project execution teams to translate lab and pilot data into robust, scalable process models that drive the design of first-of-a-kind mineral refining facilities.

As a Staff Process Modeling Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader for process simulation and modeling, providing subject matter expertise across multiple projects, developing modeling standards and best practices, and mentoring junior engineers while partnering with cross-functional teams to support process development from concept through commercial deployment.

  

### **What You’ll Do**

-   Develop steady-state and dynamic process models to establish heat and material balances for integrated mineral refinery systems using ASPEN, SysCAD, OLI, or METSIM.
    
-   Automate equipment and process sizing (reactors, heat exchangers, filters, crystallizers, evaporators, and separators) based on model outputs, linking models to datasheets and other engineering tools
    
-   Develop and maintain process simulation databases, ensuring consistency and traceability between modeling assumptions, test data, and engineering deliverables.
    
-   Calibrate and reconcile models using pilot or plant operating data to ensure model fidelity and predictive accuracy.
    
-   Conduct process optimization studies — evaluating energy/heat recovery, recycle strategies, and material efficiency improvements.
    
-   Develop dynamic process models to validate PLC and DCS programming and evaluate/optimize buffer sizing throughout the design.
    
-   Link process models to CAPEX and OPEX estimation tools, automating technoeconomic model development
    
-   Document modeling methodologies and results, providing clear technical communication for design reviews, techno-economic assessments, and regulatory submissions.
    
      
    

### **What You’ll Bring**

-   Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
    
-   8+ years of experience developing and applying process simulation models for chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, mining, refining, or related industrial process systems.
    
-   Proficiency in one or more of the following process simulation tools:
    
    -   ASPEN Plus / HYSYS
        
    -   SysCAD
        
    -   OLI Studio / OLI Flowsheet
        
    -   METSIM
        

-   Deep understanding of mass transfer, heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid flow, and reaction engineering.
    
-   Experience developing material and energy balances for multi-step, integrated process systems.
    
-   Strong grasp of chemical equilibria and phase behavior in aqueous and non-aqueous systems.
    
-   Familiarity with data reconciliation, parameter fitting, and model validation using experimental or operational data.
    
-   Competency with Python or MATLAB for model automation, data processing, and custom calculations is a strong plus.
    
-   Experience integrating process modeling outputs into EPC deliverables (PFDs, P&IDs, equipment datasheets, control narratives, etc.)
    

### **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!**

## Other open roles at Mariana Minerals

- [Associate, Corporate Development](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/mariana-minerals/associate-corporate-development-75cbda69-26a7-4596-9d80-419416cdebbd) — Houston, TX
- [Manager, Corporate Development](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/mariana-minerals/manager-corporate-development-53447aaa-c7ce-439a-a0d1-1970dd34d4c3) — Houston, TX
- [Process Maintenance Technician](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/mariana-minerals/process-maintenance-technician-73182332-04a0-4c7c-872c-79bae0bba21b) — Moab, UT
- [Maintenance Technician – Career Development Program](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/mariana-minerals/maintenance-technician-career-development-program-5f2b9de4-f391-410f-a9df-1c16e671591d) — Moab, UT
- [Mobile Maintenance Supervisor](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/mariana-minerals/mobile-maintenance-supervisor-053a699e-642c-4ebc-95ea-8630c69bc3b7) — Moab, UT

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