Chief Specialist, Accelerating discovery to development

Ma'aden Aluminium Company (MAC); Riyadh; On-site; SAR 450,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC) in Saudi Arabia seeks a Chief Specialist to accelerate discovery to development, connecting automation, AI, and advanced sensing across exploration workflows.

You will lead enterprise technology strategy, validate cross-industry innovations, and drive rapid, decision-ready insights from field to lab, strengthening portfolio decisions.

Qualifications

• 20+ years in mineral exploration or related domains.
• Proven experience applying Data & AI, automation, advanced sensing or subsurface analytics.
• Experience with analytical laboratories, high-throughput testing and validated methods.
• Experience with QA/QC, anomaly detection, uncertainty analysis and field constraints.

Responsibilities

• Shape the enterprise exploration technology roadmap to accelerate discovery and validation.
• Translate emerging technologies into deployable exploration capabilities based on validity, readiness, field applicability, value.
• Build Ma’aden's technical advantage by adopting cross-industry practices from Oil & Gas, academia and OEMs.
• Advance AI-enabled exploration by integrating geological, geophysical, geochemical and remote-sensing data.
• Apply advanced analytics including predictive modelling and physics-informed AI to speed insights.
• Establish confidence-based decision metrics for uncertainty and learning rate.

Skills

Data & AI

Automation

Advanced sensing

Subsurface analytics

Laboratory analytics

Uncertainty quantification

Tech transfer

Executive advisory

Stakeholder influence

Geoscience expertise

Education

Advanced degree in Geoscience/Geophysics/Mining Eng or related

Job description

Job Title Chief Specialist Accelerating Discovery to Development E amp RD Business Partner Reporting To VP Technology Enablement Business Unit Function Technology amp Innovation Department Technology Enablement Grade M13

Why This Role Matters

The Chief Specialist Accelerating Discovery to Development transforms how Ma aden applies technology to mineral exploration accelerating the journey from exploration insight to scientifically validated decision-ready evidence The role connects frontier technologies in automation advanced sensing Data amp AI subsurface analytics and laboratory science to create faster more reliable and scalable exploration capabilities As an enterprise technical authority the role shapes how emerging technologies are selected validated and applied across the exploration lifecycle It brings together field acquisition laboratory validation and digital intelligence to shorten learning cycles improve confidence in exploration findings reduce avoidable rework and strengthen the technical basis for investment and portfolio decisions The role creates additional value by translating proven approaches from Oil amp Gas space exploration OEMs academia and research into practical mineral exploration applications Its accountability is strong how exploration technology is applied and validated strong rather than ownership of exploration outcomes laboratories digital platforms or approval decisions

What You Will Deliver

Exploration Technology Leadership

Shape the enterprise exploration technology roadmap to accelerate discovery and validation through automation advanced sensing AI-enabled targeting and intelligent drilling

Translate emerging technologies into deployable exploration capabilities selecting solutions based on scientific validity technology readiness field applicability and potential business value

Build Ma aden's technical advantage by identifying and adapting relevant technologies and practices from Oil amp Gas subsurface science space exploration OEMs academia and research institutions Data AI amp Subsurface Intelligence

Advance AI-enabled exploration by integrating geological geophysical geochemical and remote-sensing information to strengthen subsurface interpretation target ranking and uncertainty management

Apply advanced analytics including predictive modelling deep learning physics-informed AI and probabilistic approaches to increase the speed and confidence of exploration insights

Establish confidence-based decision metrics that make uncertainty reproducibility and learning rate visible alongside conventional exploration measures

Accelerated Field-to-Lab Validation

Transform the field-to-lab validation cycle by connecting sensing drilling and sampling with high-throughput analytical methods automated core analysis and digital sample traceability

Accelerate independent and reproducible validation of exploration findings reducing analytical turnaround rework and delays between initial observation and decision-ready evidence

Strengthen approval readiness by establishing fit-for-purpose certified analytical technologies traceable data and scientifically defensible methods that enable efficient technical review external reporting and portfolio decisions

Integrated Exploration Operating Model

Design scalable field-lab-digital workflows that connect field acquisition laboratory analysis and AI-enabled interpretation into a coherent exploration technology model

Enable greater exploration productivity through automation digital twins sensor fusion autonomous or remote technologies and AI-assisted decision workflows

Align laboratory capacity automation and digital capability with exploration ambition enabling technology solutions to scale as exploration activity evolves

Technology Innovation amp Value Realization

Evaluate frontier technologies for practical exploration value balancing scientific robustness technology readiness deployment constraints cost risk and scalability

Accelerate transfer of proven cross-industry innovation into mineral exploration particularly in autonomous systems subsurface analytics remote sensing and extreme-environment instrumentation

Demonstrate measurable technology value through shorter learning and validation cycles lower re-testing and re-sampling improved target confidence and more efficient exploration workflows

What Success Looks Like

Shorter field-to-validated-result cycle time enabling exploration evidence to reach technical and portfolio decisions faster

Reduced laboratory turnaround time and avoidable re-analysis with stronger first-time quality traceability and reproducibility of critical results

Higher confidence in drill-ready targets supported by integrated data explicit uncertainty measures and scientifically defensible validation

Faster progression from exploration concept to drill-ready target through effective application of automation AI and advanced sensing technologies

Improved exploration efficiency demonstrated through reduced cost re-sampling re-testing and decision latency attributable to technology-enabled workflows

Successful adoption and scaling of high-value technologies including AI-enabled exploration and relevant cross-industry innovations

Advanced degree in Geoscience, Geophysics, Mining Engineering or a related discipline; MSc or PhD preferred.

Experience

• 20+ years of relevant experience in mineral exploration, subsurface science or adjacent Oil & Gas exploration domains.
• Demonstrated experience applying Data & AI, automation, advanced sensing or subsurface analytics in exploration or comparable technical environments.
• Experience with advanced analytical laboratories, mineral characterization, high-throughput testing, certified analytical methods or regulatory acceptance processes.
• Experience applying AI-enabled QA/QC, anomaly detection, confidence estimation or uncertainty analysis, combined with strong understanding of field exploration constraints.

Skills That Matter

• Mineral exploration technology and subsurface science
• Advanced sensing, drilling and field technologies
• Data, AI and predictive subsurface analytics
• Laboratory analytics and mineral characterization
• Scientific validation, QA/QC and uncertainty quantification
• Technology assessment, qualification and scaling
• Exploration workflow optimization and value realization
• Cross-industry technology transfer
• Executive-level technical advisory and stakeholder influence
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration across geoscience, digital, engineering, R&D, OEMs and academia