Principal Tailings Engineer | Adelaide Office | Monday - Friday Roster

BHP Group; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Performance bonuses

Employee share plan

Flexible work options

Wellbeing support

Paid parental leave

Job summary

BHP Group is seeking a Principal Tailings Engineer based in Adelaide to lead tailings engineering governance, strategy and risk management across Copper SA. The role collaborates with Engineers of Record, RDEs and global experts to shape long-term tailings solutions and safe, compliant operations.

You will mentor teams, drive improvements and ensure adherence to standards, with periodic site travel and a Monday–Friday roster. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity at Copper SA, Adelaide.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Civil, Geotechnical, Mining or Environmental Engineering.
• Experience in mining, resources or heavy industry with tailings, geotechnical engineering or dam safety.
• Proven coaching, mentoring and technical leadership experience.
• Experience with Engineers of Record (EoR), Registered Dam Engineers (RDE) and engineering governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term tailings strategies and investment roadmaps for safe, efficient and sustainable outcomes.
• Provide governance across audits, studies, modelling activities and scenario analysis.
• Partner with Engineers of Record, RDEs and the Global Tailings Centre of Excellence for technical direction.
• Drive continuous improvement in tailings risk management, processes and systems.
• Mentor engineers and operational teams to develop technical capability and leadership.
• Ensure standards align with the BHP Charter, Global Standards and statutory obligations.

Skills

Tailings management

Engineering governance

Stakeholder engagement

Technical leadership

Safety leadership

Education

Civil/Geotechnical/Mining/Env Eng

Job description

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Principal Tailings Engineer | Adelaide Office | Monday - Friday Roster

Date: 13 Oct 2026

Job Posting End Date:

Job Country: Australia

Job State/Province: South Australia

About Copper SA Operations at BHP

BHP is a global resources company operating across more than 90 locations worldwide, with a purpose to improve lives and support a more sustainable future. Through Copper South Australia (Copper SA), we are building a leading copper portfolio that supports the global energy transition, supplying materials essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles and digital infrastructure. For you, this is an exciting opportunity to grow your career, make a meaningful impact, and help shape the future of one of Australia's leading copper businesses.

We currently have a vacancy for aPrincipal Tailings Engineer, reporting to the Manager Engineering Copper SA. This Adelaide-based leadership opportunity sits within Engineering, Infrastructure and Services and plays a critical role in shaping the future of tailings management across Copper SA operations.

The Challenge Ahead

As Principal Tailings Engineer, you will provide strategic technical leadership across tailings management, engineering governance and dam safety while supporting the safe, sustainable and efficient operation of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) across Copper SA.

Working within a collaborative network of operational teams, Registered Dam Engineers (RDEs), Engineers of Record (EoRs), project teams and BHP’s Global Tailings and Dams Centre of Excellence, you will help shape long-term tailings strategies, influence investment decisions and strengthen engineering governance across the business.

This role offers the opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with coaching, mentoring and stakeholder engagement, while contributing to the development of future engineering capability across Copper SA.

What You'll Bring to the Role

You are an experienced engineering professional who enjoys solving complex challenges, influencing outcomes and partnering with diverse stakeholders to deliver safe and sustainable business results.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in Civil, Geotechnical, Mining, Environmental Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience within mining, resources or heavy industry environments, with strong exposure to tailings, geotechnical engineering, dam safety or engineering governance.
• Demonstrated success developing engineering capability through coaching, mentoring and technical leadership.
• Strong safety leadership and a commitment to risk-based decision-making.
• Experience working with Engineers of Record (EoR), Registered Dam Engineers (RDE) and technical assurance frameworks.
• The ability to influence stakeholders and successfully implement change in complex operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of Tailings Storage Facility management, engineering governance and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information into practical business insights and recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and implementation of long-term tailings strategies and investment roadmaps that support safe, efficient and sustainable closure outcomes.
• Provide technical governance and assurance across audits, studies, modelling activities and scenario analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Partner with Engineers of Record, Registered Dam Engineers and the Global Tailings and Dams Centre of Excellence to provide technical leadership and strategic direction for TSF management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen tailings risk management, processes, systems and performance.
• Provide governance across technical standards, engineering assurance activities, design reviews and Management of Change processes.
• Maintain oversight of tailings dam integrity and compliance with regulatory requirements, internal standards and industry best practice.
• Provide trusted advice on technical risks, opportunities and investment decisions that support business outcomes.
• Mentor and develop engineers and operational teams, helping build technical capability and future leadership strength across Copper SA.
• Ensure engineering standards remain aligned with the BHP Charter, Global Standards, Code of Conduct and relevant statutory obligations.

Work Location

This position is based in Adelaide, South Australia, operating on a Monday to Friday roster (5:2) with periodic site travel required to support operational and project activities across Copper SA.

Why You'll Love Working Here

At BHP, you’ll do meaningful work in an environment that supports you to perform at your best; on site and at home. That’s why our benefits are designed to support your health, your growth, and your personal balance:

• Grow your career your way, with opportunities to develop and move across BHP
• Be rewarded with competitive pay, performance bonuses and our BHP employee share plan
• Work in an inclusive team where people support each other every day
• Enjoy flexibility and family-friendly options that help you balance work and life
• Access wellbeing support, including 24/7 confidential assistance for you and your family
• Build your future with benefits like paid parental leave, recognition programs, etc.

And so much more!

About Our Process

At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are several checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants’ suitability for a role including police / criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and/or reference checks.

We Support a Diverse Workforce

At BHP, we believe diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to creating a safe, inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and can thrive. Our workforce reflects the communities where we operate, and we value all aspects of identity; gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education, and more.

We ensure that our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and equitable. If you have a disability and need adjustments, please contact us at [e-mail].