Tailings Engineer

GOLD FIELDS; Kambalda West; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Health Insurance Allowance

Site Allowance

Quarterly Bonus Scheme

Salary sacrifice options

Increased leave entitlements

Long service leave pro-rata

Job summary

Gold Fields is seeking a Tailings Specialist to support RTFE in practical tailings management and to uphold safety and regulatory compliance across TSFs. The role involves maintaining TMPs, LoM plans, and collaboration on governance, with site-based or Perth-based arrangements.

Key tasks include developing business plans, coordinating with stakeholders, and leading tender processes for TSF construction, while ensuring adherence to GFL Standards and risk controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering.
• Aspirations to register as a professional engineer.
• Experience coordinating engineering projects, site investigations and mining-related construction.

Responsibilities

• Support the Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE) with practical tailings management.
• Ensure adherence to safety regulations, policies and GFL TSF Management Standards.
• Maintain Tailings Management Plans (TMP), TSF operating manuals and LoM plans.
• Develop and maintain business plans and Life of Mine (LoM) plans with stakeholders.
• Collaborate on tender documentation and TSF construction tender processes.

Job description

Reporting to the Processing Manager and supported by the Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE), you will ensure the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational excellence in the management of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) across all phases of their lifecycle, from planning and design through to closure and rehabilitation.

Offered as a site-based role on a FIFO from Perth roster of 8 days on and 6 days off, or residential for locally based candidates, there will be ad hoc times where you will be working in the Perth corporate office to collaborate with the Group tailings team and external consultants in terms of governance and technical oversight.

Benefits include

• Private Health Insurance Allowance & Site Allowance
• Quarterly Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice options
• Increased leave entitlements for annual leave and paid primary and secondary parental leave.
• Long service leave pro-rata after five years of continuous service.

Up to six months’ free, company-provided accommodation may be available for eligible candidates from under-represented groups (for example, women in mining and Indigenous Australians) relocating to Kambalda for permanent roles.

Accommodation includes basic furnishings and utilities and is subject to availability and housing policy, with support available to assist with transitioning to a lease after the initial six-month period. Eligibility and final terms will be discussed during the recruitment process.

About the role

• Serve as an essential on-the-ground resource to support the RTFE with the practical aspects of tailings management.
• Ensure adherence to all applicable safety regulations, policies, and guidelines, including GFL TSF Management Standards.
• Maintain Tailings Management Plans (TMP), TSF operating manuals and Life of Mine (LoM) plans.
• Provide support to the RTFE, EoR, and Processing Managers in the development and maintenance of business plans and Life of Mine (LoM) plans. These plans should outline storage locations, available storage, operational and capital expenditure projects, and other planned site projects.
• Develop and maintain formal relationships with key site stakeholders
• Collaborate in the development of tender documents, lead TSF construction tender processes, provide input on construction documentation, and ensure adherence to QA/QC activities.
• Proactively identify and manage tailings-specific risks, maintain critical controls, and contribute to the management of environmental risks associated with the TSFs.
• Compile and prepare monthly TSF management reports or performance dashboards.

Essential requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering or a related field.
• Aspirations to register as a professional engineer.
• Experience coordinating engineering projects, site investigations, mining-related construction and commissioning projects.
• Working knowledge of GISTM and practical knowledge of IT engineering systems that analyse slope stability, seepage, hydraulic modelling, and deposition modelling (e.g., GeoStudio, Rocscience, Muk3D).
• A valid manual Driver’s Licence.

At Gold Fields, we expect all employees to act in a manner that seeks to align and enhance the values, safety culture and performance of Gold Fields to create enduring value beyond mining.

At Gold Fields, we believe great leadership is grounded in empathy, respect, and growth. Join Gold Fields and be part of a company where people, passion, and purpose come together to create enduring value — beyond mining.

Join an organisation endorsed by WORK180 for our commitment to creating an environment where inclusion and belonging matter, and you can build meaningful, long-term careers in mining, with fabulous mentors to guide you through from day one.

We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are unique. We’re always open to conversations about flexible working arrangements that can help you balance work, family, and life.

Applications Close August 14, 2026