Senior Geotechnical Engineer: Tailings & Closure Leader

Alcoa; Point Comfort (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Alcoa Transformation is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead strategic geotechnical support for site closure, assets retirement, and tailings management. You will advise locations on investigations, stability analyses, and closure designs, ensuring compliance with GISTM and IMS while guiding global closure planning.

The role requires a geotechnical engineering background, 5+ years, and a PE/PG is preferred; travel up to 15%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geology, Civil Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Master’s degree preferred in: Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or similar field.
• PE or PG license is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ progressive geotechnical engineering experience working on projects in an industrial, mining, process, manufacturing, or similar environment
• Sound knowledge of internationally recognized tailings management standards and industry guidelines such as ICMM, ANCOLD, MAC/CDA, and GISTM.
• Demonstrated experience in geotechnical engineering aspects of tailings dam closure planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Experience performing geotechnical investigations, slope stability analyses and consolidation modelling.
• Experience performing geotechnical risk assessments in accordance with industry practices, including evaluation of structural stability, and long‑term performance of legacy impoundments.
• Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal and influencing skills with demonstrated ability to challenge effectively and drive outcomes.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, capacity to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and drive aggressive implementation plans and schedules

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical contributions to global policies, standards, and guidelines establishing the framework to ensure implementation of cost-effective closure solutions that meet applicable regulatory and Alcoa requirements.
• Assess technical gap assessments of site closure plans and associated cost estimates and support development of gap closure plans.
• Provide recommendations to optimize the geotechnical designs, construction, and monitoring of Global closure strategies and designs
• Conduct risk assessments and readiness reviews for closure execution.
• Review geotechnical studies, data, and reports including geotechnical investigation reports, seepage analyses, closure designs, monitoring data, QA/QC protocols, and related documents.
• Provide technical guidance to Locations to perform required geotechnical site investigations, stability analyses, closure works, and maintenance and monitoring activities.
• Interpret monitoring data and recommend modifications to optimize operations and maintenance programs.
• Perform site visits to support development of closure plans, optimize O&M Programs, and provide technical support during active construction projects.
• Provide technical support to Locations to develop scopes of work, review deliverables, and perform risk assessments for impoundment projects.
• Oversee program maintenance to ensure conformance with GISTM and IMS.
• Coordinate audits and internal reporting related to impoundment management.
• Update technical standards, guidelines, and procedures based on lessons learned and industry standard practices.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Tailings management knowledge

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Leadership & collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geology, or Civil Engineering

Master’s degree preferred in Geotechnical Engineering or Geological Engineering

PE or PG license preferred

Job description

Alcoa Transformation is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead strategic geotechnical support for site closure, assets retirement, and tailings management. You will advise locations on investigations, stability analyses, and closure designs, ensuring compliance with GISTM and IMS while guiding global closure planning.

The role requires a geotechnical engineering background, 5+ years, and a PE/PG is preferred; travel up to 15%.