Senior Civil Design Engineer – Mine Waste

Knight Piesold & Co; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Civil Design Engineer to join their London team. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead the design of Tailings Storage Facilities and water infrastructure on high-profile international projects. The successful candidate will work closely with a diverse team, ensuring compliance with best practices while mentoring junior engineers. With a commitment to innovation and technical excellence, this position promises a rewarding career path and the chance to make a significant impact in the field of civil engineering. If you are passionate about infrastructure design and ready to take the next step in your career, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Annual profit share bonus

Employee benefits package

Continuing professional development support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in civil engineering with a focus on TSF and embankment design.
• Chartered Engineer status is mandatory for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil design of TSFs and water storage structures across international projects.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and ensure compliance with international standards.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF)

Water Infrastructure Design

Earthworks

Drainage Systems

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

HEC-RAS

Job description

Knight Piesold UK is Hiring!

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Civil Design Engineer with a minimum of 15 years’ experience and a strong background in civil infrastructure design—particularly Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs), water dams, and embankment structures. This is an exciting opportunity to take a leadership role within our expanding London team, delivering technically significant and internationally recognised mining and infrastructure projects.

Role Overview

Knight Piesold’s London office has an immediate requirement for a Senior Civil Design Engineer to lead the delivery of TSF and associated water infrastructure designs across a diverse portfolio of international mining projects.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the concept development, detailed design, and construction support of tailings and water storage facilities. The position will focus on the civil engineering aspects of design—such as earthworks, drainage, roads, spillways, and containment structures—while collaborating closely with geotechnical and environmental specialists.

This is a technically rewarding role that offers the opportunity to work on high-profile global assignments and mentor a team of developing engineers. Periodic international travel is expected to support site investigations, inspections, and construction phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the civil design of TSFs, water storage structures, earthfill embankments, spillways, diversion structures, site roads, and surface drainage systems.
• Deliver designs from concept through to detailed engineering and construction documentation, ensuring compliance with international design standards.
• Coordinate and manage inputs across multidisciplinary teams, including civil, hydrology, and geotechnical engineering.
• Produce and review engineering reports, calculations, technical drawings, and specifications.
• Act as technical lead on projects, liaising with clients, regulators, and contractors.
• Support and conduct site work including scoping of ground investigations, dam safety inspections, and supervision of construction activities.
• Provide technical mentorship and leadership to junior and mid-level engineers.
• Ensure design work aligns with best practices and international guidelines (e.g. CDA, GISTM, ANCOLD, ICOLD).

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Civil Engineering; a Master’s degree or relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum of 15 years’ Civil engineering experience, with a strong emphasis on TSF, embankment and water infrastructure design.
• Membership of a recognised professional institution and Chartered Engineer status (CEng or equivalent) is mandatory.
• Strong technical background in heavy Civil engineering and earthworks, including grading, surface water management, and haul/access infrastructure.
• Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D; familiarity with hydraulic modelling tools
• (e.g. HEC-RAS) is an advantage.
• Knowledge of geotechnical design (e.g. slope stability or seepage modelling) is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and lead the successful delivery of complex civil design projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce high-quality reports and maintain client relationships.
• Experience with international and remote-site projects is considered beneficial.
• Willingness to travel internationally for project assignments.
• Must be willing and able to attend the London office as required.

Why Join Us?

Knight Piesold is an employee-owned, independent consulting firm committed to technical excellence, innovation, and long-term client partnerships. By joining our team, you will benefit from:

• Meaningful and internationally focused project work across mining, tailings, and water infrastructure.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment in central London.
• Clear pathways for career development and leadership opportunities.
• Industry-competitive salary plus annual profit share bonus, and employee benefits package.
• Full backing for continuing professional development and engineering excellence.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your civil design expertise—especially in TSF and embankment projects to: [e-mail] .

At Knight Piesold, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Only those selected for interview will be contacted.