Lead Geotechnical Engineer

Socket.dev; Northeastern Ontario; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Variable incentive plan

Pension plan

Comprehensive benefits

Paid leave

Safety culture

Employee Assistance Program

Virtual healthcare

Career development

Job summary

Vale Base Metals in Sudbury, Ontario, seeks a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to join the Geotechnical - Dams team in a permanent, on-site role. You will provide technical leadership for tailings facilities, dams, and water management, evaluating performance through inspections, data analysis, and risk assessments.

The position emphasizes risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, cross-functional collaboration, and ongoing improvement of geotechnical practices.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate engineering degree required.
• P.Eng designation required.
• 8–10 years of relevant mining/geotechnical experience preferred.
• Experience with tailings facilities, dams, or water management projects is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for tailings facilities, dams, and water management systems.
• Conduct inspections and assess facility conditions, performance, and risks.
• Review monitoring data and perform geotechnical analyses for stability and seepage.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation measures and continuous improvement initiatives.

Education

Undergraduate degree in Engineering

P.Eng professional engineering designation

Job description

Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is transforming the future?

Who We Are

We are Vale Base Metals – a global supplier of the critical minerals transforming the future

With industry-leading reserves of copper and nickel in Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, and state-of-the-art infrastructure in the U.K., Canada, and Japan, VBM delivers a secure and responsible supply of high-quality products to customers across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Global demand for critical minerals is growing exponentially. From energy to aerospace, batteries to magnets, robotics to artificial intelligence, a secure and responsible supply of critical minerals is fundamental to power modern technologies. And at Vale Base Metals, we are transforming our business to provide a secure and responsible supply of these minerals.

Join our diverse team of 13,000 talented individuals committed to providing mineral security to a world in transition. We invite you to put your skills to work, driving meaningful and enduring change while enjoying a rewarding career.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to join our Geotechnical - Dams team in Sudbury. The role is a permanent on-site position.

The Lead Geotechnical Engineer provides technical leadership for the safe design, operation, monitoring, and closure of tailings storage facilities, dams, and related water management infrastructure. The role evaluates geotechnical performance through inspections, monitoring data analysis, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and design objectives. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, the incumbent develops risk mitigation strategies, supports dam safety and governance programs, and delivers engineering solutions that protect people, the environment, and the business.

Additionally, in this position you will:

• Support the design, operation, monitoring, and closure of tailings facilities, dams, embankments, and water management systems.
• Conduct inspections and assess facility conditions, performance, and risks.
• Review monitoring data and perform geotechnical analyses to evaluate stability, seepage, deformation, and overall performance.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation measures and operational improvements.
• Collaborate with operations, environmental, project, and engineering teams to support tailings and dam safety objectives.
• Ensure compliance through technical documentation, reporting, and participation in audits and reviews.
• Manage and review consultant and contractor deliverables.
• Support incident investigations, dam safety reviews, emergency preparedness, and change management processes.
• Drive continuous improvement in geotechnical practices, monitoring programs, and tailings governance.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

What We Offer You

• Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
• Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
• Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental)
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Virtual Healthcare online
• Online training and career development opportunities

About You

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering in appropriate discipline.
• Professional engineering designation (P.Eng) required.

Experience:

• 8-10 years of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience managing FEL studies, as well as supporting or leading pre-feasibility, feasibility, and large-scale project execution within mining, extractive, or infrastructure industries.
• Operational and site-based experience in mining environments, including underground operations, with technical exposure to open pits, stockpiles, and dams.
• Experience working on brownfield projects, operations, or maintenance activities, with knowledge of project delivery systems and associated deliverables.
• Broad industry experience and networks across mining and geotechnical disciplines, with exposure to multiple commodities considered an asset.

Skills:

• Strong commitment to safety, technical excellence, and delivering results.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to analyze alternatives, assess risks and opportunities, and recommend practical solutions.

Why Sudbury

Greater Sudbury is a vibrant city in northeastern Ontario, renowned for its rich mining history and significant role in Canada's mineral production. The city sits atop one of the world's largest and oldest meteorite impact sites, the Sudbury Basin, which is exceptionally rich in nickel, copper, and other critical minerals that are required for modern technologies such as AI and defence. The mining sector is a cornerstone of Sudbury's economy, driving both employment and economic growth, and Vale Base Metals plays a pivotal role in this regard. Our commitment to the community is as deep as our mines.

Include to Transform

At Vale Base Metals, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive work environment where people can act like owners, being their authentic selves and empowering them to deliver results. Vale Base Metals encourages everyone to express their ideas and opinions and values the plurality of individual profiles. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are critical to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal consideration that makes us different.

Vale is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across our operations and improve equal opportunity at Vale and in the mining industry.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.

Employees engaged by the Company must be lawfully able to work for the Company in the country where the role is located. The Company does not provide immigration, work permit, or permanent residence sponsorship or assistance.

Vale uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position.

Pay Grade: The candidates experience will determine placement within the pay ban.

Minimum Starting Salary: $115,000

Apply by: October 2, 2026

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