Senior Mining Engineer

Vulcan Materials Company; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Materials Company is seeking a Mining Engineer to lead engineering projects for surface and underground aggregate mining operations. This senior role requires strong technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor junior engineers.

You will optimize mining processes, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement in productivity and safety, supporting Plant/Area Managers and Geological Services staff.

Qualifications

• Mining engineering or geology background with underground mining experience.
• 5–7 years of geology, mining engineering or mining operations experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to create mine plans and schedules, compute reserves, and interpret topographic maps.
• Proficiency in 3D-CAD and surveying basics.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of mining schedules and 3-D mine plans for surface and underground operations.
• Recommend design changes to operations and Geological Services staff.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate with outside consultants when needed.
• Ensure compliance with permits, laws, and safety requirements.
• Develop short- and long-term underground mine plans and maintain life-of-mine plans.
• Prepare presentations, reports, and maps for management and stakeholders.

Skills

Excel

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Carlson Software

3D-CAD design

Surveying

Mine planning

Education

Mining Engineering degree

Tools

Geology drill data analysis

Job description

A Mining Engineer leads engineering projects and initiatives for both surface and underground aggregate mining operations. This senior-level position requires exceptional technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor and guide junior engineers. The successful candidate will be responsible for optimizing mining processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement in productivity and safety. Provides support primarily to Plant and Area Managers and the Geological Services staff.

Essential Functions

• Proficient in the use of Excel, AutoCAD Civil 3D and Carlson Software.
• Gather and utilize geologic drill data and mine planning data (stripping ratios, stone reserves, quality of stone, hydrology data, rock mechanics, etc.) to design mining schedules and 3-D mine plans, including mine configuration and final wall slopes.
• Make design recommendations to operations and Geological Services staff.
• As directed, may interact with outside consultants for mine planning and mining engineering projects.
• Assist operations personnel to assure compliance with permit conditions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and maintenance requirements of the systems necessary for compliance.
• Develop short-term and long-term underground mine plans and assist with ground control activities.
• Assist with maintaining and reviewing survey data.
• Identify, propose and justify projects which will improve costs and efficiency.
• Assist and consult with operations managers with assessments geared toward lowering operating costs in both underground and open pit extraction areas.
• Assist in preparation of stripping bid packages.
• Maintain an updated life-of-mine site plan for all locations.
• Assist in preparation of presentations, documentations, reports and maps as needed.
• Maintain topographic maps/site maps on the network server in an up-to-date and current status.

Critical Competencies

• Communication - Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, while actively listening and adapting the message to the audience.
• Team Player - Works cooperatively and effectively with team members to achieve shared goals, willingly assisting others and fostering a positive and productive team environment.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Engages openly and comfortably with diverse groups, demonstrating tact, sensitivity, and consideration to ease interpersonal situations. Quickly establishes rapport and fosters positive connections.
• Safety Awareness - Ability to recognize, understand, and adhere to safety protocols and procedures in the workplace; proactive in identifying potential hazards, taking steps to mitigate risks, and ensuring that both personal and collective safety are maintained in all tasks and environments.
• Technical Expertise: Maintains cutting edge awareness of latest development in a specific field by scanning multiple sources of information or data (e.g. periodicals, networks of contacts.)

Education

• Mining Engineering degree strongly preferred, but Geology, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering or other Engineering degree with mining experience would be considered.

Experience

• 5-7 years of geology, mining engineering or mining operations experience.
• Strong background in underground mining required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary.
• Must have the ability, either through formal training or experience, to create mine plans and schedules, compute stone reserves, draw and interpret topographic maps, identify cost savings opportunities, and understand and assist with financial analyses.
• Proficiency needed in 3D-CAD design and other computer related software, as well as basic surveying, mining engineering, and geologic concepts of quarrying, particularly as they relate to underground room and pillar mining.
• Must have strong understanding of how federal, state and local regulations and statutes affect mine planning affairs.
• Knowledge of hydrogeology and water management is helpful.

Other Requirements

• Some travel and periodically requiring overnight stay.
• Work environment will be both indoors in an office and outside in a quarry or vacant land.
• Must be able to work at a desktop computer for several hours a day while in the office.
• Must be able to walk and carry computer field equipment or survey equipment when working outside.
• The outside setting will expose the employee to changes in weather, temperature, and humidity and will require walking on uneven and sometimes steep ground surfaces.
• May be required to climb slopes, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, crawl or reach above shoulders to accomplish functions of the job.
• Position will require ability to operate a motor vehicle within a quarry area as well as on the open road, which would require the use of both hands and feet.

Vulcan Materials Company is an equal opportunity employer.