Sr Spec, Geotechnical

Vale Base Metals; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Defined contribution pension

Health and dental coverage

Leave programs

Career development

Job summary

Vale Base Metals is seeking a Specialist, Geotechnical, based in Toronto, with global responsibilities for geotechnical governance of tailings facilities and dams. The role reports to the Global Tailings and Dams Manager and requires leading advanced assessments, reviews, and risk-based decisions across sites.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, Engineers of Record, external consultants, and regulators to ensure safety, reliability, and long-term performance of geotechnical

Qualifications

• Minimum 11 years of geotechnical engineering experience.
• Proven experience in the mining industry and TSFs.
• Experience with dam safety programs and tailings management.
• Experience delivering conceptual to detailed engineering studies.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic geotechnical leadership for tailings storage facilities, dams, waste rock facilities, and geotechnical assets.
• Review and validate geotechnical investigations, designs, analyses, and numerical modelling.
• Support dam safety inspections, audits, and regulatory assessments.
• Develop governance processes, technical standards, and reporting for management.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Dam safety

Risk management

Technical leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical)

P.Eng. designation

Master's degree (Geotechnical)

PhD (asset)

Tools

Geotechnical software

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, Geotechnical, to join our Geotechnical Office within the Tailings and Dams Group. This position is based in Toronto, Ontario, with travel to operational sites as required.

Reporting to the Global Tailings and Dams Manager, the Specialist, Geotechnical will serve as a recognized technical authority supporting the safe and sustainable management of Vale Base Metals' tailings storage facilities, dams, waste rock facilities, and other critical geotechnical assets across global operations.

In this role, you will provide strategic geotechnical leadership through advanced assessments, engineering reviews, risk management initiatives, and technical governance. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, Engineers of Record (EoR), site operations, external consultants, and regulatory stakeholders, you will contribute to ensuring the integrity, reliability, and long-term performance of geotechnical infrastructure throughout its lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Geotechnical Engineering & Dam Safety

• Conduct advanced geotechnical assessments related to dam safety, stability, seepage, deformation, and risk management.
• Review and validate geotechnical investigations, engineering designs, stability analyses, liquefaction assessments, and numerical modelling studies.
• Evaluate monitoring, instrumentation, hydrogeological, geodetic, and inspection data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Support dam safety inspections, independent technical reviews, audits, and regulatory assessments.
• Participate in the review and approval of dam projects, facility raises, modifications, and closure plans.

Risk Management & Governance

• Act as a technical authority and second line of defense for the management of tailings dams and geotechnical assets.
• Assess geotechnical hazards and support the development of risk mitigation strategies and action plans.
• Contribute to Dam Safety Plans, Emergency Action Plans, risk assessments, and regulatory submissions.
• Support compliance with applicable regulations, industry standards, and global best practices, including GISTM principles.
• Strengthen geotechnical governance and risk management processes across the organization.

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Coordinate and review work completed by specialized geotechnical consultants and engineering service providers.
• Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures, guidelines, and best practices.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering opinions, and presentations for management and governance committees.
• Provide independent engineering judgment to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Share technical knowledge and mentor colleagues to advance geotechnical excellence across the business.

Data Management & Technical Leadership

• Manage geotechnical databases and ensure the integrity, accessibility, and quality of critical geotechnical information.
• Prepare technical reports, monitoring summaries, engineering assessments, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to both operational and technical audiences.
• Mentor and develop junior geotechnical professionals through training, coaching, and technical guidance.
• Promote innovation through advanced modelling approaches, data analytics, AI applications, and emerging technologies.

About You

Experience

• Minimum 11 years of geotechnical engineering experience.
• Proven experience within the mining industry.
• Significant experience supporting Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) and dam safety programs.
• Experience with waste rock facilities, filtered tailings facilities, and mine infrastructure.
• Demonstrated expertise in geotechnical risk management and geotechnical investigations.
• Experience delivering conceptual, prefeasibility, feasibility, and detailed engineering studies.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.

Education

• Undergraduate Degree in Civil Engineering with specialization in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, geotechnical investigations, and site characterization.
• Expertise in slope stability, seepage analysis, liquefaction assessment, and numerical modelling.
• Knowledge of dam safety management, risk assessment methodologies, and tailings behaviour.
• Familiarity with industry standards and guidelines, including GISTM, CDA, and ICOLD.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical review capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and communicate complex technical concepts effectively.
• Strong ownership, accountability, and risk-based decision-making mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or equivalent recognized professional registration.
• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related discipline.
• PhD is considered a strong asset.
• Experience supporting global mining operations and major capital projects.
• Advanced proficiency in English; additional languages are an asset.

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 Toronto

Vale's Toronto office, nestled in the heart of Canada's largest city, serves as a pivotal hub for the company's operations. This office is central to Vale’s finance, strategic planning, commercial (marketing and sales), and sustainability teams, driving key initiatives that support the company's global mission. Toronto’s vibrant, diverse, and dynamic environment enhances Vale’s ability to innovate and excel in these critical areas, reflecting the city's status as a leading international business center.

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.