Operations Research Engineer
Mariana Minerals
Operations
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
USD 140k-220k / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 3, 2026
Location
San Francisco HQ, Ann Arbor, MI, Houston, TX
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
Hybrid
Department
Software Development
Compensation
- Estimated base salary. Final salary based on skills and experience. $140K – $220K • Offers Equity
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.
Our culture is built on three principles:
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.
The Role
We are hiring an Operations Optimization Developer to design and implement next-generation prediction, planning, and optimization systems that power Mariana’s autonomous operations and large-scale logistics network.
You will transform complex, uncertain operational challenges into well-structured ML and optimization problems, building systems that improve routing, dispatch, scheduling, resource allocation, and real-time decision-making across our entire operation.
What You’ll Do
Develop ML- and optimization-driven prediction and planning algorithms for dynamic, uncertain operational environments.
Formulate open-ended operational problems into structured optimization or ML tasks.
Build, train, and evaluate deep learning models used for prediction, planning, and decision-making.
Apply advanced techniques including reinforcement learning, stochastic optimization, robust optimization, combinatorial optimization, and integer/mixed-integer programming.
Develop scalable systems for routing, fleet optimization, dispatch algorithms, multi-agent planning, and scheduling.
Integrate prediction and planning models into production software systems used for real-time operations.
Debug complex behaviors, analyze model performance, and drive continual improvements in autonomy and optimization pipelines.
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Collaborate across autonomy, software, and operations teams to ensure solutions meet safety, efficiency, and reliability requirements.
Desired Qualifications
BS in Computer Science, Mathematics, Machine Learning, Robotics, Optimization, Operations Research, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in ML modeling, optimization, robotics, or autonomous planning systems.
Proficiency in Python and C++ with strong analytical and debugging capabilities.
Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Stochastic optimization, stochastic programming, chance constraints, uncertainty modeling
Reinforcement learning, planning under partial observability, Bayesian decision-making
Routing, scheduling algorithms, VRP, dynamic routing, fleet optimization, dispatch optimization
Multi-agent systems, queueing systems, traffic-aware routing, service network modeling
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Experience deploying ML or optimization systems in production environments.
Why Join Us?
At Mariana Minerals, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team reshaping the way critical minerals are sourced and supplied globally. You’ll have the autonomy to make big decisions, the tools to innovate, and a culture that values ownership, smart automation, and collaboration.
Mariana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.
Compensation Range: $140K - $220K