Senior Mining Engineer, Backfill - Prominent Hill - 8/6 FIFO

BHP Group; South Australia; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private on-site housing

On-site gym

Staff activities

Wi‑Fi on site

Wellbeing support

Job summary

BHP Group is seeking an experienced Senior Mining Engineer, Backfill, for Prominent Hill in South Australia. You will lead backfill design, reticulation networks and flow modelling within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring safe, efficient underground operations and long‑term mine planning.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, mentoring and continuous improvement across Paste Fill and Rockfill systems, with a focus on quality outcomes and stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Mining/Geotechnical/Civil/Mechanical engineering.
• Experience in underground mining or technical engineering.
• Experience with backfill systems (Paste Fill and/or Rockfill).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience using mining software such as Deswik or similar planning and engineering tools.
• Ability to influence outcomes and build effective working relationships.
• Strong communication skills and a passion for providing technical guidance and coaching.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review and optimisation of paste fill mix designs to support exposure stability requirements and stope performance outcomes.
• Monitor backfill performance through QA/QC programs, strength testing, stope reconciliation and operational analysis.
• Provide technical governance and engineering support for Paste Fill and Rockfill systems.
• Design, review and optimise paste fill reticulation networks, including system layouts, operating pressures and capacity requirements.
• Undertake and review flow modelling to support system performance, future planning and debottlenecking initiatives.
• Develop, maintain and improve backfill standards, procedures and technical documentation.
• Support investigations, risk assessments and change management activities associated with underground backfill operations.
• Coach and mentor engineers while helping build technical capability and a culture focused on quality outcomes.
• Prepare technical reports and provide insights to support business planning and production performance analysis.
• Collaborate closely with Geotechnical, Mine Planning and Operations teams to ensure safe, effective and practical backfill design and execution.

Skills

Paste Fill

Rockfill

Flow Modelling

Technical Leadership

Mentoring

QA/QC

Deswik

Education

Mining Engineering degree

Tools

Deswik

Job description

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Senior Mining Engineer, Backfill - Prominent Hill - 8/6 FIFO

Date: 29 Oct 2026

Job Posting End Date:

Job Country: Australia

Job State/Province: South Australia

Job Location/Region: Prominent Hill

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.

About Prominent Hill

Prominent Hill is a well-established copper-gold operation within BHP’s Minerals Australia portfolio, with a strong future and ongoing investment.

Located 650km north-west of Adelaide, the site operates across underground and surface mining on an 8/6 FIFO roster.

A major shaft project is supporting underground expansion and extending mine life to at least 2040, creating long-term opportunities across the operation.

It’s a technically complex site where you can build your skills, take on new challenges, and be part of a team where safety and looking out for each other matters.

About the Role

As Senior Mining Engineer, Backfill, you will play an important role in supporting the safe and effective execution of underground backfilling activities at Prominent Hill. Working within a collaborative Technical Services team, you will provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise across Paste Fill and Rockfill systems, helping optimise performance while supporting production outcomes and long‑term mine planning.

This role offers the opportunity to influence operational success through backfill strategy, reticulation system design, flow modelling, and continuous improvement initiatives. You will work closely with Mining, Geotechnical, Planning and Operations teams to ensure backfill systems are safe, reliable and aligned with underground mining requirements.

You will also contribute to the development of engineering capability within the team by mentoring engineers, promoting quality outcomes and supporting a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and operational excellence.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the review and optimisation of paste fill mix designs to support exposure stability requirements and stope performance outcomes.
• Monitor backfill performance through QA/QC programs, strength testing, stope reconciliation and operational analysis.
• Provide technical governance and engineering support for Paste Fill and Rockfill systems.
• Design, review and optimise paste fill reticulation networks, including system layouts, operating pressures and capacity requirements.
• Undertake and review flow modelling to support system performance, future planning and debottlenecking initiatives.
• Develop, maintain and improve backfill standards, procedures and technical documentation.
• Support investigations, risk assessments and change management activities associated with underground backfill operations.
• Coach and mentor engineers while helping build technical capability and a culture focused on quality outcomes.
• Prepare technical reports and provide insights to support business planning and production performance analysis.
• Collaborate closely with Geotechnical, Mine Planning and Operations teams to ensure safe, effective and practical backfill design and execution.

About You

You are an experienced mining or engineering professional with a strong technical foundation and a practical, solutions-focused approach. You enjoy working across multidisciplinary teams, using your expertise to solve complex challenges and improve operational performance.

To be successful, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Mining Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in an underground mining or technical engineering environment.
• Experience with mine backfill systems, including Paste Fill and/or Rockfill operations, with exposure to reticulation design, system optimisation or flow modelling highly regarded.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to evaluate technical data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Experience using mining software such as Deswik or similar planning and engineering tools.
• The ability to influence outcomes and build effective working relationships across technical and operational teams.
• Strong communication skills and a passion for providing technical guidance, coaching and support to others.
• Proven leadership capability, with the confidence to make decisions, maintain standards and foster a positive team culture focused on safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Work Location

This position is based at Prominent Hill in South Australia and operates on an 8/6 FIFO roster from Adelaide or Port Augusta.

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.

Life at Prominent Hill

Life on site is designed to help you switch on for work and switch off when it matters, with a modern on‑site village that supports comfort and wellbeing:

• Your own private, comfortable room to relax and recharge.
• Great facilities including a state-of-the-art gym (open daily from 3am to 9pm, with personal training available), sporting areas, and places to unwind.
• A wide range of activities to stay active and social, including basketball, tennis, soccer, mini-golf, and a music room.
• Opportunities to recharge your way, swimming, walking tracks between site and village, bike hire, and quiet spaces.
• Dedicated areas to relax and disconnect, including gaming spaces and wellness options such as meditation or stargazing on the star deck.
• Reliable Wi-Fi to stay connected with family and friends.
• A unique site environment, including sunrises you won’t see anywhere else.

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].