Job Description

We are working on behalf of a leading global mining organisation seeking an experienced Chief Engineer – Tailings, Crushed Leach & Water to lead and manage technical excellence across a portfolio of complex sites. This hybrid role is based in Silver City, NM or Tucson, AZ, with flexible in-person requirements and regular domestic and international travel.

This is a critical leadership role focused on ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of tailings storage facilities (TSFs), crushed leach (CL) pads, and water dams (WD). You will provide technical leadership across engineering teams, manage key infrastructure, and drive innovation and best practice across a world-class mining operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE) for assigned TSFs, accountable for integrity, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Oversee inspection, monitoring, performance, and data analysis of TSF, CL, and WD facilities.
• Lead continuous improvement of tailings and water management systems, design standards, and operational procedures.
• Conduct technical reviews of geotechnical and hydrological design, construction, and modification projects.
• Engage with internal stakeholders (engineering, operations, planning, regulatory, environmental, executive leadership).
• Manage project scopes, budgets, contractors, and capital delivery for critical infrastructure projects.
• Contribute to annual budgeting and long-term strategic planning.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers in geotechnical, hydrological, and civil engineering best practices.
• Act as Project Manager or technical expert for large and complex planning, construction, and expansion initiatives.
• Support cross-functional teams to deliver optimised and sustainable tailings, leach, and water infrastructure.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Hydrological or related Engineering discipline.
• 7+ years’ experience in geotechnical, water resources, or civil engineering roles (5+ years with Master’s).
• Strong leadership experience in engineering project management and team development.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one of: tailings storage facilities, crushed leach facilities, water dams, slurry transport, or process water balance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in MS Office and engineering software tools.
• High standards of professionalism, safety awareness, and collaborative working.

Preferred

• Master’s degree with Geotechnical or Water Resources Engineering specialisation.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent recognised certification.
• Advanced expertise in TSF, CL, and WD design, construction, operations, and optimisation.
• Experience in large-scale mining operations, particularly metal mining.
• Strong background in slope stability, seismic analysis, soil characterisation, and hydrology.
• Experience in engineering project management — cost estimating, scheduling, contractor management.
• Familiarity with engineering software such as AutoCAD/Civil 3D, ArcGIS, GoldSim or similar tools.
• Experience with geotechnical instrumentation, monitoring, and data analysis.
• Fluency in Spanish or Bahasa Indonesian is an advantage.
• Willingness and ability to travel (domestic/international ~5 weeks per quarter).

Location & Work Environment

Hybrid role based in Silver City, NM or Tucson, AZ, with flexibility to work remotely and in-person as needed. The role requires regular travel to site locations, as well as occasional international travel. The company offers a modern, collaborative working environment designed to promote innovation, safety, and cross-team collaboration.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs