Specialist, Engineer

Socket.dev; Northeastern Ontario; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive plan

Pension package

Benefits package

Vacation & leave

Flexible work arrangements

Safety and inclusion

Employee Family Assistance Program

Training & development

Relocation

Job summary

Vale Base Metals in Sudbury, Ontario, seeks a Specialist – Ground Control to provide advanced geomechanical expertise for open-pit and underground mining operations. This role focuses on life-of-asset planning, ground control design, and risk mitigation through empirical, analytical, and numerical modeling.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, lead geotechnical reviews, and deliver technical reports to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mining, geological, civil, or geotechnical engineering (Master or PhD preferred).
• 8+ years of experience in ground control, rock mechanics, and/or geomechanics studies within open pit and underground mining.
• Proven leadership in guiding complex geomechanical assessments and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead geomechanical studies to support safe and efficient mine design for open-pit and underground environments.
• Conduct geomechanical assessments using empirical, analytical, and numerical modeling to support Life of Asset Plans (LoAP).
• Collaborate with geology, strategic mine planning, infrastructure, and hydrology teams to evaluate geotechnical risks and optimize safety and productivity.
• Support FEL studies by defining scopes of work and performing geotechnical reviews.
• Develop and implement ground control strategies including rock mass characterization and seismic hazard management.
• Provide technical expertise in ground support design and field instrumentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to standards and publications.

Skills

FLAC3D

RS2

UDEC

Rocscience

Deswik

Datamine

Leapfrog

Geomechanics leadership

Programming

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mining, geological, civil, or geotechnical engineering

Tools

Deswik

Datamine

Leapfrog

Job description

Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is growing?

Who We Are

We are a global mining company dedicated to safely delivering nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group metals essential for the world’s energy transition.

Our mission is to improve lives and shape a better future together.

From utensils to cellphones to satellites, our operations simplify daily life and enhance connectivity. Our metals are integral to life-saving medical equipment and the electric vehicles driving the fight against climate change – our work truly matters.

Join our diverse team of 15,000 talented individuals committed to transforming critical minerals into prosperity and sustainable development in countries like Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Japan. We invite you to use your skills with us and contribute to something meaningful and enduring.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Specialist – Ground Control to join our Geomechanics Studies team in Sudbury, Ontario. This is a permanent position reporting to Sr. Manager - Geomechanics Studies, Mining Geotech, ValeBase Metals.

As a Specialist – Ground Control, you will provide advanced geomechanical expertise to support both open-pit and underground mining operations. This role requires specialized skills in geomechanical mine design to ensure that Life of Asset Plans (LoAP) are effectively supported, with a focus on mitigating risks related to ground instability and seismic hazards. Your work will span open pits—including waste dumps and stockpiles—as well as underground environments, aligning geomechanical studies with operational needs and execution plans.

In addition, you will support FEL studies across Vale Base Metals, ensuring that deliverables meet Vale’s specifications.

In this position you will:

• Lead geomechanical studies to support safe and efficient mine design and operations for both open-pit and underground environments.
• Conduct geomechanical assessments using empirical, analytical, and numerical modeling tools to support robust Life of Asset Plans (LoAP).
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including geology, strategic mine planning, infrastructure, and hydrology across mine operations and CTO Mining & Geotech, to evaluate geotechnical risks. Ensure mining methods, stope and pillar designs, sequencing, layouts, and pit slopes are optimized for safety and productivity.
• Support FEL studies by defining scopes of work, coordinating data requests, and performing geotechnical reviews.
• Develop and implement ground control strategies, including rock mass characterization, stability assessments, and numerical modeling.
• Provide technical expertise in ground support design, seismic hazard management, and field instrumentation.
• Contribute to major Management of Change (MoC) processes by providing geomechanical study support to mine operations.
• Assist in preparing for Geotechnical Review Board (GRB) meetings, Integrated Operations Assessments (IOA), and annual Base Metals audits (MRMR/KPDs).
• Prepare and deliver technical reports, recommendations, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as a recognized expert in geomechanics, providing strategic guidance and representing the discipline at a national level.
• Stay current with industry developments and recommend organizational improvements based on emerging technologies and practices.
• Supervise complex technical work and contribute to the development of industry standards.
• Provide strategic input to senior leadership and influence organizational direction.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical publications and professional forums.
• Maintain strong relationships with key engineers, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Lead the adoption and integration of innovative technologies in ground control and geomechanics.
• Offer expert analysis and consulting across operational and strategic initiatives.

About You

Education: Bachelor’s degree in mining, Geological, Civil, or Geotechnical Engineering (Master or Ph.D preferred).

Experience: 8+ years of experience in ground control, rock mechanics, and/or geomechanics studies within open pit and underground mining.

Skills

• Demonstrated expert-level proficiency in conducting empirical, analytical, and numerical geomechanical analyses using tools such as FLAC3D, RS2, UDEC, and the Rocscience suite, applied to both open-pit and underground mining environments.
• Proven leadership in guiding complex geomechanical assessments and interpreting interactions between open-pit and underground operations.
• Strong programming skills to enhance efficiency and automate numerical simulations.
• In-depth knowledge of rock mass classification systems and laboratory testing methodologies to support geomechanical design and data acquisition campaigns.
• Advanced capability in integrating multidisciplinary datasets—including geology, mine plans, seismic data, and rock properties—to develop complex 3D numerical modeling.
• Familiarity with engineering planning software (Deswik) and geological modeling platforms (Datamine, Leapfrog).
• Exceptional technical, strategic, and leadership skills with a track record of innovation and problem-solving.
• Strong analytical and creative thinking abilities, with a capacity to influence, mentor, and motivate others.
• Extensive experience in leading complex projects and providing strategic direction across multidisciplinary teams.

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)
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Online training and career development opportunities
• Relocation Assistance

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 feel comfortable to be themselves. Vale 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.

#ValeBaseMetals