Underground Chief Engineer

Careermine; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Kinross Round Mountain is seeking a senior mining engineering leader to oversee long-range mine plans, stope design, and backfill integration in Nevada. You will mentor engineers, coordinate with operations, and drive safety-compliant execution of mining plans in a high-demand geotechnical environment.

You will lead technical teams, ensure data integrity, and report to senior leadership while fostering continuous improvement and value creation for the mine portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field.
• 8-15+ years of underground hard-rock mining experience with long-hole stoping.
• Experience with paste backfill and CRF operations.
• Leadership or superintendent-level experience in technical services.
• Proficient in Deswik and knowledge of MSHA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Mine planning and design oversight for long hole stoping operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop mining engineers, surveyors, and technical staff.
• Provide real time technical guidance to underground operations (drilling, blasting, backfill).
• Ensure compliance with MSHA regulations and site safety requirements.
• Oversee budgeting, project management, and life-of-mine planning.

Skills

Leadership

Mine planning

Communication

Safety compliance

Mentoring/Training

Education

Mining Engineering or related field

Tools

Deswik

Microsoft Office

Job description

Round Mountain is an open-pit mine located in Nevada, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. The mine uses conventional open-pit mining methods and processes ore by mill and heap leach. Kinross began operating the mine in 2003, and it has since become a continuous improvement leader in the Company's portfolio. Round Mountain poured its 15 millionth ounce in 2018. Round Mountain and the nearby Bald Mountain mine make up Kinross' Nevada operations.

The Round Mountain mine is an important contributor to the Nye County economy and, working with local stakeholders, has helped achieve significant improvements in healthcare and education in the area.

Job Summary

Kinross Round Mountain is a leading mining company dedicated to sustainable and safe mining practices. We are committed to innovation and excellence in all our operations. Join our team to contribute to challenging and rewarding projects in a dynamic and supportive environment. Round Mountain is renowned as one of the most geotechnically challenging mines in Nevada.

Qualified candidates may be eligible for both a sign-on bonus and relocation assistance.

Essential Functions

• Mine Planning & Design Develop and oversee short , mid , and long range mine plans for a long hole stoping operation using paste backfill and cemented rockfill. Approve stope designs, drill patterns, sequencing, and ground support strategies. Ensure backfill requirements (strength, timing, curing windows) are integrated into the mine schedule. Optimize stope sequencing to balance geotechnical stability, ventilation constraints, and production targets
• Technical Leadership & Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop mine engineers, surveyors, and technical staff. Foster a collaborative environment between engineering and operations, emphasizing problem solving and continuous improvement. Set technical standards, review engineering work, and ensure quality control across all engineering deliverables.
• Operational Support Provide real time technical guidance to underground operations, including drilling, blasting, backfilling, and ground support installation. Troubleshoot stope performance issues (dilution, overbreak, paste delivery, drilling accuracy). Coordinate with maintenance, backfill plant personnel, and production supervisors to ensure alignment with engineering plans
• Safety, Regulatory, and Environmental Compliance Ensure all engineering designs comply with MSHA regulations and Nevada state mining requirements. Support and reinforce site Health & Safety Management Systems and environmental compliance programs. Lead risk assessments for new stopes, mining methods, or ground conditions.
• Backfill & Geotechnical Integration Work closely with geotechnical engineers to ensure stope stability, pillar design, and sequencing meet safety and production needs. Oversee paste backfill and CRF design parameters, QA/QC, and scheduling to maintain mine stability and minimize dilution.
• Budgeting & Project Management Manage engineering department budgets, staffing, and capital project planning. Lead or support underground capital projects (ventilation upgrades, dewatering systems, new development headings, backfill plant improvements). Evaluate and justify new technologies, equipment, or software to improve efficiency.
• Data Management & Reporting Oversee production reporting, stope reconciliation, and variance analysis. Ensure accurate survey control, mine modeling, and engineering databases. Present engineering updates to senior leadership and contribute to life of mine planning.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field
• 8-15+ years of experience in underground hard-rock mining experience, with significant exposure to long-hole stoping
• Demonstrated experience with paste backfill and CRF operations
• Prior leadership or superintendent-level experience in technical services
• Proficient in mine planning software - Deswik experience required
• Knowledge of MSHA regulations and site safety practices
• Proficient in Microsoft Software
• Strong understanding of geotechnical principles, stope design, and backfill engineering
• Familiarity with ventilation modeling, survey practices, and underground infrastructure design
• Strong communication and cross-departmental coordination abilities
• Ability to coach and mentor engineers at various experience levels
• Strategic thinking with a focus on safety, efficiency, and long-term value creation
• Requires a valid driver's license.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Requirements

• Adheres to all safety and environmental considerations.
• Have a strong commitment to safe working practices.
• Wears Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 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.

Kinross Leadership Practices

• 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.

Legislative Requirements

• Background Check required

US work permit required

Language Requirements

English

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).