Senior Principal Engineer / Technical Director - Tailings & Mine Waste

WSP Canada; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 178,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Canada seeks a Senior Principal Engineer / Technical Director - Tailings & Mine Waste to lead high-profile mining projects across Western Canada. You will guide technical direction, manage client relationships, and shape long-term growth of the Tailings and Mine Waste practice.

You will mentor teams, oversee governance, and advance innovative tailings management and closure strategies while navigating regulatory frameworks and ESG considerations.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in geotechnical/mining engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer designation with eligibility to practice in BC/AB.
• Strong leadership in tailings and mine waste projects.
• Extensive experience with tailings storage facilities and water management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical leadership for major tailings and mine waste projects from concept to closure.
• Act as Engineer of Record or Independent Technical Reviewer on complex facilities.
• Lead governance, peer reviews, and risk-based decisions for high-consequence projects.
• Develop innovative tailings management and closure planning approaches.
• Mentor engineers and grow organizational capability across teams.

Skills

Technical leadership

Geotechnical engineering

Tailings & mine waste

Client relationship management

Mentoring

Regulatory knowledge

Project governance

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Geological/Geotechnical/Civil/Mining engineering

P.Eng. designation (BC/AB eligibility)

Job description

What if you could redefine what's possible?

With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it.

We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers.

With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions.

We are pathfinders and impact makers.

We are Visioneers.

We are WSP.

The Opportunity

Innovate. Influence. Lead.

This is your opportunity to shape the future of tailings and mine waste engineering at WSP.

As a Senior Principal Engineer / Technical Director - Tailings & Mine Waste, you will serve as a recognized technical authority and strategic advisor, leading some of the most complex and high-profile mining projects across Western Canada and beyond. You will provide technical leadership, guide major client relationships, and help shape the long-term growth and direction of WSP's Tailings and Mine Waste practice.

Working alongside multidisciplinary teams and global specialists, you will drive innovation in tailings management, closure planning, dam safety, and sustainable mine development while helping clients navigate evolving technical, regulatory, and environmental challenges.

This role offers the opportunity to influence industry best practices, mentor the next generation of technical leaders, and strengthen WSP's position as a trusted advisor to the mining industry.

#GlobalMining #ERI_Opportunities #carrières_ERI

Your Impact

• Provide strategic technical leadership for major tailings and mine waste projects from concept development through operations and closure.
• Serve as Engineer of Record (EOR), Independent Technical Reviewer, or senior technical advisor for complex tailings storage facilities and mine waste infrastructure.
• Lead technical governance, peer reviews, and risk-based decision-making for high-consequence facilities.
• Develop innovative approaches to tailings management, mine waste design, water management, and long-term closure planning.
• Help shape the strategic direction, technical standards, and continued growth of WSP's Tailings and Mine Waste practice.
• Build and strengthen executive-level client relationships while acting as a trusted advisor on critical technical and business decisions.
• Lead major pursuits, proposals, and business development initiatives that contribute to practice growth across British Columbia, Alberta, and broader Canadian markets.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary project teams across Canada while collaborating with global specialists to deliver industry-leading solutions.
• Mentor senior engineers and emerging technical leaders, strengthening capability, succession planning, and technical excellence across the organization.
• Represent WSP through industry committees, conferences, publications, research initiatives, and professional organizations.
• Drive continuous improvement in dam safety, risk management, ESG performance, operational efficiency, and sustainable mining practices.

The Skills That Set You Apart

• 15+ years of progressively increasing responsibility in tailings, mine waste, geotechnical, or mining engineering, including leadership of major multidisciplinary projects.
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Geological, Geotechnical, Civil, Mining, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation with eligibility to practice in British Columbia and/or Alberta.
• Recognized reputation as a technical authority in tailings and mine waste engineering.
• Extensive experience in the planning, design, assessment, operation, and closure of tailings storage facilities, mine waste facilities, and associated water management infrastructure.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record, Independent Technical Reviewer, or providing equivalent senior technical oversight on major mining projects.
• Strong understanding of Canadian and international regulatory frameworks, dam safety requirements, and industry-leading tailings governance practices.
• Demonstrated success developing strategic client relationships, leading major pursuits, and supporting business growth.
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership, mentor senior professionals, and build technical capability across regional and national teams.
• Active participation in industry organizations, technical committees, conferences, publications, or thought leadership initiatives related to tailings, mine waste, and dam safety is considered a strong asset.

Why Choose WSP?

• Proudly Canadian - we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
• A global community of brilliant minds - your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it's across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition - because your growth drives ours.
• Flexible work, real balance - we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

#WeAreWSP

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $194,700 - $257,900

MB & ON: $177,600 - $244,600

NB, NL, NS, PEI & QC: $175,800 - $233,500

Disclosure: The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Make Your Mark with WSP

If you're driven by purpose and impact, we'd love to hear from you. At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity.

It's why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what's possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers.

As one of the world's leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you'll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note:

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here .

Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here .