Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Mining

Stantec; Calgary; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join its Energy and Resources team in Western Canada. The role involves leading geotechnical planning, design and execution for mining facilities across multiple regions, collaborating with offices globally.

You will drive geotechnical analyses, site investigations, instrumentation, and multi-disciplinary coordination while mentoring engineers and ensuring safety and quality throughout projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in geotechnical, geological, civil or mining engineering.
• 10+ years in industry or consulting.
• P.Eng. registered or eligible with APEGA.

Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive geomechanics studies, numerical modelling and stress analysis for surface and underground mine structures.
• Lead rock mass assessments and stability analysis designs.
• Execute seismic monitoring and hazard assessments.
• Lead ground support and ground response monitoring designs.
• Lead geotechnical site investigations including instrumentation, logging, sampling and field testing.
• Lead installation, monitoring and interpretation of geotechnical instrumentation.
• Lead analyses and design of complex earth and rock structures.
• Support mine and tailings planning groups in large projects.
• Lead preparation of technical design documents and drawings.
• Provide peer review of technical deliverables and designs.
• Comply with safety programs and project procedures.

Skills

Geotechnical leadership

Excel/Office

CAD systems

GeoStudio/Rocsience

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in geotechnical/mining/civil engineering

P.Eng. or eligible for registration (APEGA)

Tools

GeoStudio

Rocsience

Job description

At Stantec, we help deliver the critical minerals needed to power our world, from the cars we drive to the infrastructure powering our communities. And we don’t just design the largest, deepest, and most technically challenging mines in the world—we do it sustainably. We’re helping clients reduce energy usage, adopt clean energy sources, and implement digital solutions and automation.

Join our team of mining professionals and you’ll be at the forefront of this evolving industry while building the mine of the future. You’ll also build your own future, with exciting opportunities for development and advancement.

Your Opportunity

Stantec is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join our Energy and Resources business group within Western Canada. This position will work collaboratively with other Stantec offices across Canada, the United States, South America and Australia, to support the service needs of our clients on local and international projects, primarily on metal, coal and large oil sands mining projects.

The focus of the position will be to engage our highly skilled team of engineers and scientists in the technical planning, design, and execution of a variety of projects in soils and bedrock environments, within one or more of our core areas of expertise as follows:

• Pitwall engineering

• Tunnel engineering

• Tailing Storage Facilities (TSF)

• Waste Storage Facilities (WSF)

• Civil foundations and infrastructure design

• Closure and reclamation

• Field investigations and laboratory testing

• Geotechnical instrumentation and performance monitoring

This position has strong emphasis on communication and interaction with Stantec’s technical, professional and management personnel and clients. While the initial primary focus will be on mining projects managed out of the Vancouver, Calgary or Ontario offices, it is expected that the candidate will have opportunities to also interact with mining teams in other Stantec’s offices.

Your Key Responsibilities

The Senior Geotechnical Engineer is responsible for providing a lead technical role and must have a strong technical background in geotechnical, geomechanical and civil engineering with knowledge of design, construction and closure practices for mining facilities (surface and underground), in a variety of climatic and seismic regions of Canada and the world.

The role will encounter varying degrees of technical oversight by clients and/or regulatory agencies. As a leader in the Stantec organization it is expected that the Senior Geotechnical Engineer will have good business awareness and acumen. The person will need to possess a competent understanding of project/program management fundamentals and have a firm understanding of the relationship between technical delivery, project scope, costs, and schedule.

This position will also collaborate with other key technical practice disciplines beyond civil/geotechnical in the successful delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary projects. These include but are not limited to geology, hydrogeology, water management, environmental practices/permitting, process design, mining, and pumping/piping among others.

Other responsibilities and essential job tasks include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead comprehensive geomechanics studies, numerical modelling and stress analysis for surface and underground mine structures.

• Lead rock mass assessments and stability analysis designs.

• Execute seismic monitoring and hazard assessments.

• Lead the completion of ground support and ground response monitoring designs.

• Lead the planning and completion of geotechnical site investigations. This may include instrumentation, logging, sampling, and field testing.

• Lead the installation, monitoring and interpretation of data from geotechnical instrumentation.

• Lead analyses and design of complex earth and rock structures.

• Support mine and tailings planning groups in the development and design of large mining and closure projects.

• Lead the preparation of technical design documents.

• Lead the development of technical drawings, figures and models.

• Lead the preparation of project technical proposals.

• Provide peer/senior review of technical deliverables and designs.

• Comply with and actively participate in Stantec and client safety programs.

• Lead work in line with Stantec Core Values and in accordance with Stantec’s Quality, Safety & Environment Systems and Project Quality Procedures

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Critical and flexible thinking to provide tailored, practical solutions to our clients with a sound technical base, considering the time and recourses available.

• Experience in some or all of our core geotechnical areas of expertise noted above.

• Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor a team of engineering professionals in various stages of career development.

• Understanding of mining operations and mine waste management, geotechnical material characterization (particularly mined materials), slope stability, deformation analyses, liquefaction potential, seismic hazard assessments, seepage and foundation characteristics of dams/tailing storage facilities.

• Possess strong problem-solving skills and ability to make timely decisions or lead and develop others to do so.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English (both written and oral). Proficiency in French, Spanish or Portuguese is an asset.

• Proven ability to work in a professional team environment with a diversity of cultures, gender, nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, age, etc.

• Experience in a consulting engineering environment at a senior technical management level.

• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of programs and CAD systems.

• Technical expertise in specialized geotechnical software (e.g. GeoStudio, Rocsience, etc.).

• Work experience in mining or resource industries is an asset.

• Ability to conduct work in a safe manner maintaining a high degree of situational awareness.

• Open mind and bias self-awareness to participate in the adaptation and implementation of new technology initiatives to advance our technical practice.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD’s degree in geotechnical, geological, or civil or mining engineering.

• 10 plus years' industry or consulting experience.

• Valid Class 5 Driver's License and satisfactory Driver's Abstract, per Stantec's Safe Driving Policy.

• P.Eng. registered or eligible for registration with the Alberta Professional Engineers Geoscientists Association (APEGA).

• Membership of professional bodies related to geotechnical engineering, tailing/water dams, and international mining is an asset.

This position may have additional qualification requirements depending on work assignments. Additional qualifications will be defined in Project Specific Health, Safety and Environment