Area Lead - Civil and Geotechnical Engineering

WorkNovaX; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WorkNovaX in Tucson, AZ, is seeking an Area Lead - Civil and Geotechnical Engineering to lead tailings facilities, civil, geotechnical, and earthworks engineering across the project area. The role provides technical oversight, drives design integration, and ensures safe, constructible, cost-effective solutions.

You will manage engineering consultants and contractors, support execution from study through construction and commissioning using integrated project delivery, and act as Owner's

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical, or Geological Engineering.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in mining, industrial, infrastructure, or major capital projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing consultants and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Lead tailings facilities, civil, and geotechnical engineering activities within the project area.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to staff and consultants.
• Coordinate interfaces across process, mechanical, electrical, controls, mining, and construction management.
• Review designs for safety, constructability, and regulatory compliance.
• Support execution from study through construction and commissioning.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project coordination

Design integration

Mentorship

Contractor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Job description

Area Lead - Civil and Geotechnical Engineering

Tucson, United States | Posted on 09/17/2026

Our client is looking for an Area Lead - Civil and Geotechnical Engineering to be responsible for leading and coordinating all tailings facilities, civil, geotechnical, and earthworks engineering activities within the assigned project area. The role provides technical oversight, ensures design integration across disciplines, manages engineering consultants and contractors, and supports project execution from study through construction and commissioning using the integrated project delivery method.

The position acts as the Owner's technical representative for tailings facilities, civil and geotechnical matters and is accountable for ensuring designs are safe, practical, constructible, cost-effective, and aligned with project objectives, standards, and regulatory requirements.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Engineering Leadership

• Lead all tailings facilities, heavy civil and geotechnical engineering activities within the assigned project area.
• Establish engineering priorities, deliverables, and technical requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with project design criteria, applicable codes, standards, and permitting commitments.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineering staff and consultants.
• Support development and maintenance of engineering execution plans and project procedures.

Civil Engineering Oversight

Oversee design and review of:

• Tailings facilities
• Site grading and drainage systems
• Plant and Site civil works
• Access roads and haul roads
• Foundations and structural interfaces
• Water management infrastructure
• Utility corridors and underground services
• Earthworks and mass grading activities
• Verifying civil designs support operations, maintenance, constructability, and long-term reliability.

Geotechnical Engineering Oversight

Lead review and approval of:

• Geotechnical investigations
• Foundation recommendations
• Slope stability assessments
• Ground improvement recommendations
• Earthworks specifications
• Excavation support systems

Coordinate geotechnical input for:

• Process plant facilities
• Tailings storage facilities
• Water management structures
• Mine infrastructure

Contractor and Consultant Management

• Manage engineering consultants and technical contractors responsible for civil and geotechnical design.
• Review contractor deliverables for quality, completeness, and compliance with project requirements.
• Monitor consultant performance against scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.
• Facilitate technical workshops and design reviews.
• Resolve engineering issues and interface conflicts between contractors and disciplines.
• Support contract administration and technical evaluation of change requests.

Design Integration

Coordinate interfaces between:

• Process engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Controls and automation
• Mining
• Construction management

Ensure civil and geotechnical requirements are incorporated into multidisciplinary designs.

Participate in design reviews, model reviews, HAZOPs, constructability reviews, and risk assessments.

Construction Support

• Review field changes, technical queries, RFIs, and non-conformance reports.
• Support resolution of geotechnical and civil construction issues.
• Participate in inspections, site walks, and contractor coordination meetings.
• Monitor compliance with approved engineering designs and specifications.

Project Controls and Risk Management

• Support development of engineering budgets and schedules.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and opportunities.
• Monitor engineering progress and forecast completion of deliverables.
• Support management of project contingency and change control processes.
• Contribute to monthly project reporting and executive updates.

Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality

• Promote a strong safety culture and visible safety leadership.
• Ensure designs meet health, safety, environmental, and sustainability objectives.
• Participate in risk assessments and hazard identification activities.
• Support quality assurance and quality control programs.
  

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, or Geotechnical Engineering.

Experience

• 10+ years of engineering experience in mining, industrial, infrastructure, or major capital projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience managing engineering consultants and contractors.
• Experience in large-scale earthworks and geotechnical design.
• Experience supporting construction and field execution activities.
• Previous experience on EPCM, EPC, or Owner's teams preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Tailings facility design
• Earthworks and grading
• Drainage and water management
• Geotechnical investigations
• Slope stability
• Tailings and waste management facilities
• Mining infrastructure
• Design standards and regulatory requirements