Sr. Geotechnical Engineer

Kinross Gold Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinross Gold Corporation in the Curlew mine is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide all underground geotechnical engineering activities, supporting safe, efficient, and productive mining operations. The role offers technical leadership for mine design, ground control, underground infrastructure, and planning while developing geotechnical standards and best practices for the life of the mine.

You will mentor staff and collaborate with operations, technical services, and contractors

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in geological engineering, geotechnical engineering, geology, mining or civil engineering.
• Underground geotechnical experience: 5+ years.
• Proficiency in rock mechanics design, numerical modeling, and ground monitoring.
• Strong communication and teamwork and valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and continuous improvement of the Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP).
• Lead ground control planning and design for underground excavations, including rock bolts, mesh, shotcrete and support systems.
• Develop and maintain the underground backfill and ground support QA/QC program.
• Use numerical modeling (FLAC3D, Map3D) for stope design and pillar stability analysis.
• Implement and manage underground monitoring systems and analyze data for planning.
• Identify geotechnical risks and develop the Ground Control Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP).
• Collaborate with stakeholders to provide geotechnical input into stope designs and backfill strategies.
• Manage scopes, budgets, and timelines for geotechnical projects.
• Prepare MSHA-compliant ground control plans, permitting, and audits.
• Mentor and lead engineers/geologists; contribute to knowledge sharing.

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering

Ground Control

Numerical Modeling

Field Inspections

Regulatory Compliance

Team Leadership

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in geological/geotechnical/mining or civil engineering

Tools

Deswik

Rocscience

Map3D

Job description

Under the direction of the Technical Services Manager, the Senior Geotechnical Engineer provides all underground geotechnical engineering activities for the Curlew mine to support safe, efficient, and productive mining operations. This role provides technical expertise for mine design, ground control, underground infrastructure, and operational planning while developing and maintaining geotechnical standards, programs, and best practices for the life of the mine. The Senior Geotechnical Engineer works closely with Operations, Technical Services, and contractors to identify and manage geotechnical risks, optimize mine performance, and ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements. This position also provides technical leadership and mentorship while supporting the successful development, ramp-up, and long-term operation of the Curlew mine.

Essential Functions

• Ground Control Management Planning:
  Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP).
• Ground Support Design:
  Lead ground control planning and design for underground excavations, including selection and optimization of rock bolts, mesh, shotcrete, cable bolts, and other support systems suitable for complex ground conditions. Work with mining teams to ensure effective application.
• QA/QC:
  Lead Develop, implement and maintain the underground backfill and ground support QA/QC Program.
• Stope Sequencing and Design:
  Use numerical modeling (FLAC3D, Map3D or other) as appropriate along with other analytical methods to support stope design, backfill performance, pillar stability, and sequencing.
• Instrumentation & Monitoring:
  Implement and manage underground monitoring systems including all types of best practice underground mine instrumentation. Analyze data to track ground performance and inform mine planning.
• Geotechnical Risk Management:
  Identify ground control hazards, develop and maintain the mine’s Ground Control Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) and work with all stakeholders to mitigate ground control hazards.
• Integrated Planning Support:
  Collaborate closely with all stakeholders, including external consultants, corporate leadership and mine engineers, geology, and operations to provide geotechnical input into stope designs, development layouts, extraction sequencing, and backfill strategies.
• Project Management:
  Manage scopes of work, budgets, and timelines for geotechnical components of capital and operational projects.
• Regulatory & Compliance Support:
  Prepare documentation in support of MSHA-compliant ground control plans, permitting, and internal audits.
• Mentorship & Team Leadership:
  Provide mentorship and technical support to other engineers and geologists; participate in internal knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Underground Field Work

This position works approximately 30% of the time in the underground. Underground work includes field observations on foot, driving underground, engaging with and collecting information from employees in the field, and providing education to employees.

• Additional Mining Engineering Duties

Regularly perform other mining engineering practices including but not limited to underground mine design, short term planning, ventilation, longhole stope D&B design, stope reconciliations, operational support, etc.

• Surface and/or office work

This position works approximately 70% in an office setting on the surface. The majority of the office duties include performing essential functions on a computer screen, and attending or facilitating meetings.

Qualifications and Skills

• Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in geological engineering, geotechnical engineering, geology, mining or civil engineering or equivalent.
  • Geotechnical Experience: Underground 5+ Years.
  • Familiarity with U.S. mining regulations under 30 CFR and its PPMaProficiency in rock mechanics design, numerical modeling, and ground monitoring techniques.
  • Strong field presence and practical problem-solving skills.
  • Strong verbal, written, analytical and persuasive skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management.
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of the Technical Services team.
  • Prior practice in other mining engineering practices such as short term planning, stope design and ventilation.
  • Demonstrate strong administrative, organizational and technical writing skills.
  • Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with instrumentation data systems (e.g., GroundProbe, IDS, Vibrating Wire sensors).
  • Strong understanding of common U.S. mining methods (e.g., longhole stoping, cut & fill, ).
  • Experience with backfill systems ( cemented rockfill, uncemented fill) and their interaction with excavation stability.
  • Working knowledge of Deswik preferable and Rocscience and Map3D software desirable.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Requirements

• Adheres to all safety and environmental considerations.
• Has a strong commitment to safe working practices.
• Wears Personal Protective Equipment at all times while in the production environment.
• Is alert and observes, corrects, and reports unsafe conditions.
• Follows operating procedures and complies with all regulatory requirements.
• Creates an environment where nothing is more important than every employee returning home safe and healthy every day.
• Creates an environment in which people are unfailingly treated with respect
• Fosters the talent and potential of all employees by enabling them to grow, develop, and make a difference in the organization.
• Demonstrates that leadership in the areas of environmental performance and community and stakeholder relations is fundamental to the way we plan and manage our business.
• Holds self and others accountable for the decisions, commitments, and behaviors required to deliver outstanding results.
• Uses judgment to manage business complexities, prioritize and balance conflicting demands to make timely decisions that best advance Kinross strategy.
• Builds and brings teams and people together to achieve organizational goals. Models’ humility by going beyond self-interest for the good of the group.
• Understands the economic implications of decisions and consistently uses all resources effectively and efficiently to maximize shareholder value.
• Relentlessly champions, develops and embeds best practices.
• Strategic Effectiveness

Developing and communicating rigorous and creative business strategies that drive sustainable value.

• External Engagement

Understanding and building relationships with external parties that strengthen and sustain competitive advantage.

• Business Focus

Applying commercial rigor and discipline to all business decisions and customer relationships.

• Living the Kinross Values

Aligning behavior, decisions, and actions with Kinross values and principles.

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Technical Services Manager