Associate Geotechnical Engineer (Tailings)

SLR Consulting; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SLR Consulting is seeking an experienced Associate Tailings Engineer to join the Perth team. Bring strong geotechnical fundamentals and tailings expertise to lead technical design, site investigations and client engagement across mining projects.

You will contribute to TSF design and governance, mentor engineers, and collaborate with specialists in an international practice. Travel to mine sites will be required as needed.

Qualifications

• Over 8 years’ direct professional experience in geotechnical and tailings engineering.
• Experience with Tailings Storage Facility and/or geotechnical design, assessment, construction or operational support.
• Strong understanding of advanced soil mechanics and geotechnical principles for Tailings engineering.
• Experience with slope stability, seepage, foundations, liquefaction, seismic assessment, numerical modelling, instrumentation or mine closure.
• Familiarity with ANCOLD and GISTM and relevant industry practice.
• Strong analytical, technical writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing geotechnical and/or tailings engineering projects, including client liaison, project coordination and progress reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and contribute to geotechnical and tailings projects across the project lifecycle, from studies and design through construction, operations and closure.
• Undertake and review geotechnical assessments including stability, seepage, deformation, foundation and seismic assessments.
• Support the design and assessment of Tailings Storage Facilities, mine waste facilities, embankments and water retaining structures.
• Interpret site investigation, laboratory testing and monitoring data to develop appropriate geotechnical design parameters.
• Support site investigations, TSF inspections, construction monitoring and QA/QC activities.
• Prepare and review technical reports, calculations, design documentation and engineering assessments.
• Contribute to dam safety, risk management, surveillance, TARPs, OMS documentation and tailings governance activities.
• Support alignment with GISTM, ANCOLD and other relevant Australian and international guidance.
• Manage small to medium projects or technical work packages, including scope, programme and budget.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, project teams and contractors.
• Support proposals, tenders and business development activities.
• Mentor and support junior and intermediate engineers.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Tailings engineering

Project management

Technical writing

Communication skills

Education

Civil, Geotechnical or Geological Engineer degree

Tools

GeoStudio

Rocscience

PLAXIS

FLAC

Muk3D

GoldSim

Job description

About SLR And The Opportunity

SLR is a global leader in mining consultancy, delivering responsible, high-impact solutions across the full mining lifecycle. With over 5000 staff globally and over 2,000 mining specialists in 25+ countries across 24 Practice Areas, we operate as a true global community of practice, bringing together the best people, ideas and methods to solve complex challenges for the world’s leading mining companies.

About SLR And The Opportunity

SLR is a global leader in mining consultancy, delivering responsible, high-impact solutions across the full mining lifecycle. With over 5000 staff globally and over 2,000 mining specialists in 25+ countries across 24 Practice Areas, we operate as a true global community of practice, bringing together the best people, ideas and methods to solve complex challenges for the world’s leading mining companies.

About SLR And The Opportunity

SLR is a global leader in mining consultancy, delivering responsible, high-impact solutions across the full mining lifecycle. With over 5000 staff globally and over 2,000 mining specialists in 25+ countries across 24 Practice Areas, we operate as a true global community of practice, bringing together the best people, ideas and methods to solve complex challenges for the world’s leading mining companies.

As our Australian mining and mine waste portfolio continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Associate Tailings Engineer with 8+ years’ experience to join our Perth team.

This role is suited to an engineer with strong geotechnical fundamentals and experience in tailings, mine waste, dams or mining infrastructure. This is a technical and client-facing role for an experienced tailings professional who can communicate technical and project information to internal and external stakeholders, with the support of highly professional team. The role can include a combination of technical design and analysis, site investigations, project management, operational support, tailings governance and client engagement.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Practice Leader – Mine Waste Engineering, you will work on technically challenging projects, collaborate with experienced specialists, support project delivery and client relationships, and contribute to the development of junior engineers. You will:

• Manage and contribute to geotechnical and tailings projects across the project lifecycle, from studies and design through construction, operations and closure.
• Undertake and review geotechnical assessments including stability, seepage, deformation, foundation and seismic assessments.
• Support the design and assessment of Tailings Storage Facilities, mine waste facilities, embankments and water retaining structures.
• Interpret site investigation, laboratory testing and monitoring data to develop appropriate geotechnical design parameters.
• Support site investigations, TSF inspections, construction monitoring and QA/QC activities.
• Prepare and review technical reports, calculations, design documentation and engineering assessments.
• Contribute to dam safety, risk management, surveillance, TARPs, OMS documentation and tailings governance activities.
• Support alignment with GISTM, ANCOLD and other relevant Australian and international guidance.
• Manage small to medium projects or technical work packages, including scope, programme and budget.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, project teams and contractors.
• Support proposals, tenders and business development activities.
• Mentor and support junior and intermediate engineers.

Experience

You will be a degree-qualified Civil, Geotechnical or Geological Engineer with relevant experience in geotechnical engineering, tailings, mine waste, dams or mining infrastructure.

Ideally, You Will Bring

• Over 8 years’ direct professional experience in geotechnical and tailings engineering, preferably with the majority of experience gained within a technical consulting environment, complemented by relevant site-based operational or construction experience.
• Experience in Tailings Storage Facility and/or geotechnical design, assessment, construction or operational support.
• Strong understanding of advanced soil mechanics and geotechnical principles and their applications to Tailings engineering.
• Experience with areas such as slope stability, seepage, foundations, liquefaction, seismic assessment, numerical modelling, instrumentation or mine closure.
• Familiarity with ANCOLD and GISTM and relevant industry practice.
• Experience with geotechnical analysis and design software such as GeoStudio, Rocscience, PLAXIS, FLAC, Muk3D, GoldSim or similar packages.
• Strong analytical, technical writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing geotechnical and/or tailings engineering projects, including client liaison, project coordination and progress reporting.
• Ability to manage priorities and work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring developing engineers and contributing to project delivery.
• Willingness to travel to mine sites and project locations when required.

Why Join SLR?

At SLR, you will work within a collaborative and technically focused environment, with access to specialists across Australia and our global network.

You Will Have The Opportunity To

• Work on technically challenging tailings, mine waste and geotechnical projects.
• Gain exposure across the full project lifecycle.
• Work alongside experienced technical specialists.
• Develop your technical expertise, professional profile and client relationships.
• Mentor and support other engineers.
• Collaborate across disciplines, offices and international teams.
• Access flexible working arrangements, mentoring and professional development opportunities.

Our Benefits

At SLR, our people come first. We’re proud of our One Team culture - a culture that champions technical excellence, collaboration without borders, and the opportunity to work alongside great people and great clients. Whether you’re enjoying our flexible hybrid work environment, enjoy collaborating with experts across Australia and internationally, or at a time in your life where a supportive and generous parental leave scheme is key. Our benefits aim is to ensure that we cater for all! You can find a comprehensive list here.

Next Steps

This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career working alongside some of the premier Tailings and Mine Waste Engineering experts in the Asia-Pacific region, deepening your technical expertise and making a tangible impact across exciting and varied projects.