Engineering Manager - Samples Surface

Blackhawk Mining, LLC; Eskdale (WV); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackhawk Mining, LLC is seeking a Manager of Engineering to lead all surface mining engineering functions at our West Virginia operations. The role focuses on safe planning, compliant execution, and value-driven improvements across mine design, planning, and technical support.

The candidate will oversee engineering governance, regulatory submissions, and multidisciplinary teams, while driving technology adoption and continuous improvement to optimize safety, productivity and costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive surface mining experience, including mine planning and engineering.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) required.
• Surface Mine Foreman Certification preferred.
• MSHA-qualified impoundment inspector or ability to obtain required certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all engineering functions supporting surface mining operations.
• Develop and direct short-term, medium-term, and life-of-mine plans to optimize safety, productivity, and cost performance.
• Ensure full compliance with MSHA, state mining agencies, and environmental regulations; prepare and maintain permits and regulatory submissions.
• Contribute to annual budgets, life-of-mine plans, and capital planning processes; evaluate reserves and equipment utilization.
• Lead and develop engineers, surveyors, geologists, environmental and technical staff; promote safety and professional growth.
• Leverage modern planning, surveying, GPS, drone, and data management technologies to improve outcomes; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mine planning

AutoCAD

Carlson Mining

GIS

Drone surveying

Geologic modeling

Excel

Data analytics

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field

PE registered

MSHA impoundment inspector certification preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Carlson Mining

Job description

The Manager of Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership for all engineering functions supporting surface mining operations. This role ensures safe, compliant, and cost-effective mine planning and execution while advancing operational performance through modern engineering practices, technology, and talent development. The position serves as a key technical advisor to site and corporate leadership and acts as the primary interface with regulatory agencies.

• Engineering Leadership & Governance
  • Lead and oversee all engineering, surveying, geological, and mine planning functions for the surface mining complex.
  • Establish engineering standards, controls, and work processes aligned with company policies and regulatory requirements.
  • Serve as the responsible Professional Engineer for required permits, plans, certifications, and regulatory submittals.
  • Provide technical leadership for mine design, reserve development, and operational optimization initiatives.
• Mine Planning & Technical Support
  • Develop and direct short-term, medium-term, and life-of-mine plans that optimize safety, productivity, reserve recovery, and cost performance.
  • Oversee pit design, sequencing, haul road design, spoil placement, highwall management, drainage systems, sediment control structures, and material handling systems.
  • Ensure accurate surveying, mapping, reserve estimation, and mine reconciliation in compliance with federal, state, and company standards.
  • Responsible for refuse construction, planning, required submittals, inspections, and certifications where applicable.
  • Direct the development and management of geologic information necessary to maintain customer coal quality requirements.
  • Support operations through equipment productivity analysis, drill-and-blast planning, and production optimization.
• Regulatory, Safety & Environmental Compliance
  • Ensure full compliance with MSHA, state mining agencies, environmental regulations, and permit requirements.
  • Prepare and maintain mine permits, reclamation plans, drainage and sediment control plans, impoundment-related documentation, and other required regulatory submissions.
  • Ensure compliance with mine permit conditions and oversee engineering support for reclamation activities.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with regulatory agencies and external consultants.
  • Support site safety initiatives and ensure engineering practices promote safe operating conditions.
• Financial & Strategic Planning
  • Contribute to annual budgets, life-of-mine plans, and capital planning processes.
  • Develop production, recovery, equipment, and cost projections.
  • Evaluate reserves, equipment utilization, and operational performance to support strategic decisions.
  • Assist with month-end closeout activities, including stockpile surveys, tonnage reconciliation, mapping updates, operational statistics, and landowner reporting requirements.
• Technology & Continuous Improvement
  • Leverage modern mine planning, surveying, GPS, drone, geological modeling, and data management technologies to improve operational outcomes.
  • Promote data-driven decision making and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and engineering best practices to enhance safety, productivity, and cost performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers, surveyors, geologists, environmental and technical staff.
• Build a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Support succession planning and talent development within the engineering organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive surface mining experience, including experience in mine planning and engineering.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) required.
• Surface Mine Foreman Certification preferred.
• MSHA-qualified impoundment inspector or ability to obtain required certification.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and resolve complex technical and operational issues.
• Demonstrated proficiency with mine planning, surveying, and design software such as AutoCAD, Carlson Mining, or equivalent platforms.
• Working knowledge of geologic modeling, reserve estimation, reclamation planning, environmental and mine permitting requirements.
• Ability to leverage GIS, digital mapping, drone survey, volumetric analysis, data management, and analytics tools to support operational and regulatory decision making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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