Principal Engineer, Geotechnical

Vale Base Metals; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 67,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Defined Contribution Pension

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation assistance

Career growth

Job summary

Vale Base Metals is seeking a Principal Engineer, Geotechnical in Sudbury, Ontario. This role leads geotechnical governance, reviews critical risk measures, and acts as an independent SME across LOA studies and technical reviews.

You will mentor geotechnical personnel, review GCMP/MDP, and drive improvements while coordinating with operations to ensure safe, efficient underground and open-pit mining.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Mining, Geological, Civil, or Geotechnical Engineering (Master/PhD preferred).
• 12+ years of post P.Eng experience in ground control, rock mechanics, geomechanics, risk management.
• Experience in open pit and underground mining operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure geotechnical governance frameworks, assurance programs and technical standards are maintained and improved.
• Review Ground Control Management Plans and Mine Design Packages for adherence to best practices.
• Participate in Geotechnical Review Boards and Integrated Operational Assessments to drive timely actions.
• Mentor and train ground control personnel and develop technology / improvement projects with mine operations.

Skills

Risk management

Safety mindset

Rock mechanics

Mining engineering

Communication

Leadership / coaching

Planning / ownership

Education

Bachelor degree in Mining, Geological, Civil, or Geotechnical Engineering

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 Principal Engineer, Geotechnical to join our technical leadership team (CTO Mining and Geotech) in Sudbury, Ontario.

This is a permanent position reporting to the Head of Mining Geotechnical, Vale Base Metals.

As a Principal Engineer, Geotechnical you will act as a second line of defence (2LD) subject matter expert (SME), working closely with the operations in establishing, maintaining, communicating, and continuously improving geotechnical governance frameworks, assurance programs, and technical standards that support safe and efficient operations of our underground and open pit mines. In addition, you will act as an independent SME in reviewing annual Life of Asset Plans (LoAP) and technical studies across VBM, ensuring that deliverables meet Vale's specifications.

In this position you will:

• Ensure that the VBM's Critical Risk Management system remains effective, including:
  • Master critical controls (CC) and bowties for geotechnical Material Unwanted Events (MUE) and their applications in the field;
  • Participate in Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA);
  • Work with mine operations, 1LD personnel and CC owners to ensure that CCs remain functional;
  • Communicate risk management expectations to mine operations.
• Assist with reviews of existing and development of new standards and procedures;
• Review assets' Ground Control Management Plans (GCMP) and Mine Design Packages (MDP), ensuring implementation of the industry's best practices and standards;
• Review Management of Change (MOC) activities/processes as technical SME;
• Participate in Geotechnical Review Boards (GRB), ensuring that geotechnical work conducted by operations is adequate and resulting actions are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and timebound;
• Participate in Integrated Operational Assessments (IOA), ensuring that current practices comply with VBM's standards and that resulting actions are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and timebound;
• Assist the operations in completing the actions from GRBs and IOAs;
• Carry out mine Operation Checks, engaging with the site's ground control department with the focus on ground conditions, design, planning, monitoring, performance, safety, hazard management and opportunities;
• Participate in significant incident investigations related to geotechnical MUEs, ensuring that the resulting action plans are implemented properly and on-time;
• Review LoAPs, assessing mining methods, underground openings, pillars, and slope designs, ensuring that technical assumptions, implementation and achievability are sound and documented;
• Review the results of FEL studies, acting as an independent SME;
• Assist with the development, mentorship and training of ground control technical personnel at VBM;
• Develop and implement technology / continuous improvement projects with mine operations.

About You

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

Experience: 12+ years of post P.Eng experience in ground control, rock mechanics, geomechanics studies, risk management within open pit and underground mining (experience at a mining operation is strongly preferred).

Skills

• Risk management experience focused on the geotechnical field.
• Safety-focused mindset.
• Excellent theoretical and practical skills in rock mechanics, mining, geological engineering.
• Ability to take ownership of the work and possess strong work and business management skills (resource, planning & work prioritization management, results focused, etc.).
• Capable of building strong relations through good communication skills, the ability to coach, and offer guidance as required.
• Demonstrated sound written and verbal communication skills. Able to write clear and concise reports. Possess effective communication and interpersonal skills within multi-disciplinary 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.

Pay Grade: F1T

Minimum Starting Salary: $119,000

Apply by: September 30, 2026

#ValeBaseMetals

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.