Mill Reliability Engineer

Kinross Gold Corporation; Hydaburg (AK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinross Gold Corporation in Alaska seeks a Reliability/Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Lead to supervise the NDT team and drive equipment reliability across ore processing. You will analyze critical equipment, coordinate vibration, thermography and UT programs, and work with maintenance and operations to improve safety and performance.

The role requires strong root cause analysis, experience in mining or heavy industry, and the ability to manage records, reports, and KPIs.

Qualifications

• Education in reliability engineering preferred or equivalent technical degree.
• Experience in mining maintenance troubleshooting and failure analysis.
• Supervisory experience with teams in industrial settings.
• Proficiency with condition monitoring and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the NDT team in daily activities and ensure reliability improvements.
• Analyze equipment criticality and maintain the Equipment Criticality List.
• Coordinate condition monitoring programs and reporting.
• Utilize vibration, thermography, UT, and oil analysis tools for diagnostics.
• Recommend corrective actions to improve safety and performance.
• Conduct root cause analyses and track reliability trends.
• Support life-cycle cost analysis and spare parts stocking.
• Write technical assessments and communicate with maintenance leadership.
• Maintain records, regulatory docs, and KPIs.

Skills

NDT leadership

Vibration analysis

Thermography

Ultrasonic testing

Oil analysis

Root cause analysis

Equipment reliability

Data analysis

JDE

Excel

Access

Education

Reliability engineering degree preferred

B.S. in electrical or mechanical engineering

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

JDE

Excel

Access

Thermography software

Job description

Located approximately 26 miles from the City of Fairbanks, Fort Knox is a centre of excellence for the Company as one of the few cold weather heap leach facilities in the world. Fort Knox celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2021, and has produced over 8.5 million ounces since it began operation. In 2020, Kinross acquired Manh Choh – a project expected to commence production in 2024 and process ore at Fort Knox.

Fort Knox prioritizes being a strong contributor to the State and local communities, and since 2001, has helped support more than 300 community partners and has contributed more than US$25 million to the Alaska Mental Health Trust.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Mill Senior Planner, the incumbent oversees all Ore Processing related, non-destructive testing programs. The Candidate shall lead the NDT team to support the various maintenance and operation groups in improvements to equipment reliability, department efficiency, and safety. The Candidate will also recommend equipment maintenance procedures engineered to maximize asset performance, develop equipment criticality hierarchies and coordinate with supply chain to ensure proper stocking of spares to support equipment criticalities. Additionally, this position will follow-up to ensure the company receives fair value when items under warranty fail to deliver as promised.

Job Responsibilities

• Supervise and lead the NDT team in daily activities.

• Analyze equipment criticality using site-specific consequence and frequency criteria.

• Maintain the Equipment Criticality List and ensure it reflects current operating conditions

• .Coordinate condition monitoring programs and reporting activities.

• Utilize vibration analysis, thermography, motor circuit evaluation, oil analysis, ultrasonic testing, flaw detection, and related software.

• Recommend corrective actions that support safety, reliability, and operational performance.

• Evaluate new diagnostic technologies and perform cost-benefit analyses.

• Monitor maintenance strategies to ensure preventive, predictive, and proactive maintenance practices.

• Recommend changes to monitoring methods, frequencies, routes, and equipment coverage.

• Analyze equipment failure history and perform failure and root cause analyses.

• Identify reliability trends and communicate operational and financial impacts of equipment losses.

• Provide reliability performance feedback and recommendations to maintenance and operational leadership.

• Support life-cycle cost analysis of critical equipment to improve total cost of ownership.

• Manage the site oil analysis program.Provide technician coverage during absences as required.

• Develop and maintain quality control procedures for equipment rebuilds and purchases.

• Create training plans and development opportunities for NDT technicians.

• Maintain accurate records, regulatory documentation, company-required reports, and KPIs.

• Track reliability improvement projects and document associated gains or losses.

• Ensure files, records, and information systems are organized, accurate, and accessible.

• Support maintenance planning, engineering, supply chain, and asset management initiatives.

• Assist with maintenance plans, material lists, inventory optimization, and reliability reviews.

• Support new asset evaluations to improve reliability and maintainability.

• Promote reliability-focused maintenance and operating practices through collaboration and education.

• Advise departments on maintenance practices that improve reliability, safety, equipment life, and operational effectiveness.

• Lead or participate in special projects as assigned.

• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and safety requirements.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

• Identify and address workplace hazards and promote safe work practices.

• Perform work without significant risk to self or others.Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

1. High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Employee must have sufficient education to read and write instructions, perform simple mathematical calculations, and keep records.
2. Reliability engineering degree preferred.
3. Bachelor of Science in electrical or mechanical engineering degree considered.
4. Five years’ mining maintenance troubleshooting and failure analysis experience required.
5. Five years’ reliability engineering experience in large asset company required.
6. Two years’ direct supervisory experience required.
7. Training on reliability practices, procedures, or methodologies is preferred.
8. Must be competent in root cause and failure analysis methodologies.
9. Experience on the following equipment preferred: MCE (Motor circuit evaluator); Borescope; Vibration Data Collection; Thermograph; Ultra Sonic testing; Airborne/contact ultrasonic testing; Motor coupler laser alignment.
10. Ability with Access and Excel & Windows Office Suites for tracking all technologies.
11. Competent with condition monitoring software to include Thermography, Vibration, UT, Air-born Ultrasonic Emissions.
12. Competent in Oil analysis and tracking.
13. Work Order Management and Knowledge of JDE is preferred.
14. Able to write technical assessments reports.
15. Able to communicate with hourly workers.
16. Interface effectively with other supervisors and departments to formulate and run test on components, subsystems, and the system itself.
17. This position will work in both office and field environments, using the appropriate PPE.
18. Must be a self-starter with the ability to work with others in a team environment.
19. Ability to function within the qualifications outlined in the attached physical demands sheets.
20. Must work holidays, weekends, and shift work as required.

Reporting Relationships

Typically reports into the Senior Mill Planner

Legislative Requirements

US work permit required

Language Requirements

English

Travel Requirements

Travel not required, only exceptionally

Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).