NGM - Underground Drill & Blast Subject Matter Expert

Nevada Gold Mines; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Benefits

Stock purchase plan

Job summary

Nevada Gold Mines in Nevada is seeking a highly skilled Underground Drill & Blast Subject Matter Expert (SME) to lead the drill and blast strategy across the world’s largest gold-producing complex. The role emphasizes technical leadership, standardization, and performance improvement for both underground and open pit mining operations.

You will drive technical integrity, continuous improvement, and operational excellence of drill and blast practices with hands-on field engagement, advanced

Qualifications

• 10+ years of mining experience including open pit and underground drill & blast exposure.
• Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience) required.
• Strong knowledge of drill & blast design, explosives products, and field application.
• Excellent safety leadership and ability to influence field execution.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive technical reports and assessments.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for explosives handling and environmental exposure.

Responsibilities

• Lead drill & blast standards across underground and open pit operations.
• Ensure compliance with explosives regulations and Zero Harm standards.
• Collaborate with geotechnical, mine design, maintenance, and operations teams.
• Analyze design parameters and performance data to improve fragmentation and costs.
• Drive adoption of modern drill navigation, instrumentation, and blast design technologies.
• Support continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.

Skills

Drill & blast design

Explosives handling

Safety leadership

Technical reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering

Equivalent experience

Job description

Position Description

A Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Underground Drill & Blast Subject Matter Expert (SME) to lead the drill & blast strategy across the largest gold-producing complex in the world. NGM’s combination of diverse geologies, complex underground geometries, and large‑scale open pits creates one of the most technically challenging drill & blast environments in North America. Key aspects of the role focus on technical leadership, standardization, and performance improvement across both underground and open pit mining operations. In this influential, multi-site role, you will drive the technical integrity, continuous improvement, and operational excellence of our drill and blast practices - ensuring they are safe, efficient, repeatable, and aligned with NGM’s strategic objectives. This is a unique opportunity for a senior technical professional who enjoys combining hands‑on field engagement, advanced analytical work, and enterprise level influence to elevate drilling and blasting performance across the largest gold-producing complex in the world. At Nevada Gold Mines, our DNA values guide everything we do: Zero Harm, Responsible & Accountable, Partnerships, Results Driven, Fit for Purpose, Honest & Transparent, and Sustainable Legacy. We are committed to being the employer of choice, developing our people, and building strong technical capability across our operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Drill & Blast Standards: Develop, maintain, and ensure consistent application of drill and blast standards across underground and open pit operations.
• Ensure Compliance & Safety: Maintain alignment with explosives regulations, environmental requirements, and NGM’s Zero Harm standard.
• Enhance Cross ‑ Functional Collaboration: Partner with geotechnical, mine design, maintenance, and operations teams to improve planning integration and operational execution.
• Optimize Performance: Analyze design parameters and performance data to improve key outcomes such as fragmentation, over/underbreak, drill accuracy, wall control, consumables usage, and explosive product selection.
• Advance the adoption of modern drill navigation, instrumentation, and blast design technologies to drive repeatable excellence.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Support mine ‑ to ‑ mill initiatives, coordinate technical studies, and implement opportunities that enhance efficiency and reduce cost.
• Support Training & Capability Building: Strengthen D&B engineering skills through coaching, field engagement, and mentorship in Compass - NGM’s engineering development program.
• Guide Procurement & Technology Decisions: Provide input on equipment, explosives, and instrumentation specifications to ensure cost ‑ effective, fit ‑ for ‑ purpose solutions.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates bring a balance of strong technical fundamentals and the ability to influence field execution across diverse mining environments.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering or a related field (or equivalent experience) required.
• 10+ years of mining experience including both open pit and underground drill & blast exposure required. Excellent safety record and the ability to demonstrate safety leadership.
• Must pass an ATF Employee Possessor background check.
• Extensive knowledge of drill & blast design, explosives products, and field application required.
• Strong analytical capability and the ability to prepare comprehensive reports, studies, and technical assessments required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements related to explosives handling, personal environmental exposure, and contaminant management preferred.

What We Can Offer You

• A comprehensive compensation package, including bonuses, benefits, and stock purchase plans designed to support your professional growth and well-being.
• A dynamic, forward-thinking work environment with opportunities to influence the future direction of our mining operations.
• Endless opportunities to grow and learn alongside industry colleagues.
• Access to a variety of career opportunities across Nevada Gold Mine locations.