Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Alcoa Australia; Wagerup; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

Flexi Day

Benefits program for travel, health &…

Salary packaging

Inclusion and diversity groups

Job summary

Alcoa Australia invites a Senior Geotechnical Engineer – Residue to provide technical leadership across WA operations, guiding tailings dam design, operation and long‑term integrity per Alcoa standards and GISTM guidelines.

You will collaborate with site teams, the Global Impoundment Team and independent reviewers to deliver assurance, advice and continuous improvement in residue management. This is a senior, influential role with broad impact.

Qualifications

• Vast experience in geotechnical or tailings dam design, construction or operations.
• Significant experience in geotechnical assessments of dam and embankment stability.
• Knowledge of tailings management standards (ANCOLD, MAC/CDA, GISTM).
• Strong risk management, stakeholder engagement, communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and peer review of civil/geotechnical designs against Alcoa requirements and leading practice.
• Monitor and manage short- and long-term embankment and dam stability controls.
• Maintain residue storage models and contribute to water management, mud drying, stacking and storage plans.
• Support audits, regulatory visits and assurance reviews; ensure actions are completed.
• Maintain the 25-year Residue Master Plan and sustaining capital program.
• Coach and support site civil/geotechnical engineers and build cross-site capability.

Skills

Geotechnical leadership

Dam stability risk mgmt

Stakeholder comms

Technical assurance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Geotechnical or Mining Engineering

Job description

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper. This is an opportunity for you to bring your wealth of experience to the team and help shape the future of sustainability with world-changing innovations and low carbon technologies. You have the power to shape things to make them better.

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer – Residue to provide technical leadership across our Wagerup operations. In this influential role, you will lead the civil and geotechnical engineering function supporting bauxite residue storage facilities, helping ensure their design, operation and long‑term integrity meet Alcoa standards, regulatory requirements and internationally recognised tailings management practices. Working closely with site engineering and operational teams, the Global Impoundment Team, Engineers of Record and independent reviewers, you will provide expert assurance, approvals and advice while supporting safe, sustainable and effective residue management.

• Provide senior geotechnical leadership across three Western Australian alumina operations.
• Shape long‑term residue storage strategies, master planning and capital programs.
• Act as a key technical authority for dam stability, design assurance and risk management.
• Collaborate with global specialists, regulators, independent reviewers and site leaders.
• Drive continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and the application of leading practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide oversight and peer review of civil and geotechnical designs against Alcoa requirements and national and international leading practice.
• Monitor and manage critical controls relating to short‑ and long‑term embankment and dam stability.
• Maintain residue storage models and contribute to water management, mud drying, stacking and storage plans.
• Support independent integrity audits, regulatory visits and assurance reviews, ensuring actions are completed and documented.
• Maintain the 25‑year Residue Master Plan and associated sustaining capital program.
• Coach and support site civil and geotechnical engineers while strengthening cross‑site capability.

What’s On Offer

• Attractive remuneration and variable bonus plan.
• One additional paid Alcoa Flexi Day.
• My Alcoa Benefits program offering travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing discounts.
• Salary packaging for a novated car lease, employee share plan and superannuation options.
• Connect and be part of a community that celebrates diversity through our employee inclusion groups.

What You Can Bring To The Role

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical or Mining Engineering, with a specialisation in geotechnical engineering.
• Vast experience in geotechnical or tailings dam design, construction and/or operations.
• Significant experience undertaking geotechnical assessments of dam and embankment stability.
• Sound knowledge of recognised tailings management standards and guidance, including ANCOLD, MAC/CDA and GISTM.
• Well‑developed risk management, stakeholder engagement, communication and presentation skills.

Additional Information

• Interviews may progress prior to the closing date, although all applications will be considered.
• You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview, this process can take up to four weeks from the closing date.

Be part of shaping our organisation and join us in building a legacy of excellence for future generations.

About the Location

Alcoa's Wagerup Refinery is one of the world’s most environmentally and technologically advanced alumina refineries, and produces approximately 2.9 million metric tons of alumina each year. Located approximately 150 kilometres south of Perth, it is located on the border of WA’s picturesque Peel and South West regions. Our workplace is an inclusive and respectful environment, where we embrace change, new ideas and equal opportunity to succeed.

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.