Senior Engineer, Geomechanics

Vale; Northeastern Ontario; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Defined Contribution Pension

Health and dental coverage

Vacation and personal leave

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Vale Base Metals is seeking a Senior Engineer, Geomechanics to join the CTO Geotechnical Office’s Geomechanics Studies team in Sudbury, Ontario. This permanent role focuses on geomechanical analysis, risk assessment, and decision support across Canadian and Brazilian operations, delivering advanced analyses and communicating findings to senior stakeholders.

You will mentor junior staff and collaborate with multiple technical teams to ensure safe, productive mining operations and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Geotechnical, Geomechanics, Mining/Rock Engineering or related field.
• Must be registered or eligible to register as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Perform geomechanics analyses and design supporting Life-of-Mine plans and operations.
• Develop and maintain geomechanical models, domains, and design parameters.
• Integrate geological, structural, seismic, hydrogeological, and planning data for safe designs.
• Provide input to mining method selection, excavation and slope design, and sequencing.

Skills

FLAC3D

3DEC

Rocscience

Mine design

Geomechanics modeling

Programming

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical/Mining

P.Eng. registered in Canada

Tools

Map3D

Job description

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 Senior Engineer, Geomechanics to join the Vale Base Metals CTO Geotechnical Office’s Geomechanics Studies team based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

This is a permanent position.

As the Senior Engineer, Geomechanics , you’ll provide technical leadership in geomechanics, supporting mine planning, studies, and operations across a diverse mining portfolio that includes both open pit and underground operations in Canada and Brazil. The role focuses on geomechanical analysis, risk management, and decision support to ensure safe, stable, and productive mining. You will work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary technical studies and operations teams to meet safety and regulatory standards. In role, you will be part of a specialist team that delivers advanced geomechanics analyses, technical reviews, study plans, and will assist in communicating findings and risk mitigation strategies for improving the safety and profitability of our VBM assets located in both Canada and Brazil.

Key Accountabilities

• Perform geomechanics analyses and excavation designs supporting Life‑of‑Mine (LOM) plans, studies, and operational decision‑making.
• Develop and maintain geomechanical models, domains, and design parameters.
• Integrate geomechanical, geological, structural, seismic, hydrogeological, and mine planning data to deliver safe, practical mine designs.
• Provide geomechanics input to mining method selection, excavation and slope design, sequencing, and layout optimization.
• Assess geomechanical and seismic risks and define mitigation measures to protect safety and production in compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with Technical Services, Planning, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Operations to address slope stability, ground control, and seismic hazards.
• Support the development and implementation of Ground Control Management Plans, Seismic Risk Management Plans, and Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs).
• Participate in geotechnical investigations, audits, and reviews.
• Define geotechnical monitoring strategies, oversee installation and performance of monitoring systems, and interpret monitoring data to proactively manage stability risks.
• Prepare clear technical reports and presentations to communicate findings to operational teams and senior stakeholders.
• Mentor and support the development of geomechanics and geotechnical staff.
• Provide operational and on‑call technical support as required.

About You

Education:

• The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor degree in Geotechnical, Geomechanics, Mining/Rock Engineering, or related field.
• Must be either registered or eligible to register as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Canada.

Experience:

• 5-7 years of minimum work experience (4+ post P.Eng.) in relevant geotechnical fields.

Skills

• Strong experience with numerical modelling tools (e.g., FLAC3D, 3DEC, Rocscience Suite, Map3D) applied to mining geomechanics, programming and scripting related to these tools considered an asset.
• Solid understanding of mine design, ground control, geology, hydrogeology, and mining operations.
• Knowledge of industry‑standard software related to mine planning, geological modelling, and geotechnical monitoring systems considered an asset.
• Strong analytical judgment and decision‑making capability in complex, risk‑based mining environments.
• Knowledge of hydrogeological concepts as applied to geotechnical analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce concise, high‑quality technical documents and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with demonstrated experience mentoring junior professionals and building relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Self‑starter with strong time‑management skills and the ability to prioritize competing technical and operational demands.

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

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 needed for the green economy. 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.

Accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.

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

Pay Grade: F5T

Apply by: Aug 21, 2026

Minimum Starting Salary: CAD $90,000

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