Senior Tailings Engineer

WSP; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Midrand is recruiting a Senior Tailings Engineer to join the Mine Waste team on a full-time basis. The role requires deep expertise in tailings and geotechnical engineering, with leadership responsibilities over projects, client relations, and staff mentoring.

The successful candidate will oversee complex tailings projects, ensure safety and quality, and contribute to technical direction and business development across the region.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree (BEng or BSc) in Civil Engineering with 10+ years post-graduation experience in tailings and geotechnical engineering
• Honors degree (BEng or BSc) in Geotechnical field preferred
• Professional registration at ECSA required
• Knowledge of water use and waste management legislation
• Experience leading integrated mine waste projects and strong project management skills
• Proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel (Advanced), MS PowerPoint, MS Projects and related engineering software

Responsibilities

• Becoming regarded as an expert in tailings/geotechnical discipline within region or nationally
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to junior staff
• Lead project direction for high-budget, complex projects including contract negotiation
• Develop and maintain client relationships and pursue new business opportunities
• Deliver significant project reports and provide senior review of complex technical reports
• Provide tailings services and technical advice to clients on mining projects
• Coordinate manpower and schedules to meet deadlines
• Prepare proposals and client reports and supervise quality of work

Skills

Tailings engineering

Geotechnical engineering

Project leadership

MS Office

Education

BEng or BSc in Civil Engineering

Honors in Geotechnical

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

MS Projects

Slope stability analysis

Seepage analysis

Modelling software

Job description

WSP has a new opportunity for aSenior Tailings Engineerto join our Mine Waste team on afull-timebasis inMidrand. This is senior level position in the consulting team and is regarded as a professional person in the delivery of tailings and geotechnical services, in line with the WSP suite of engineering products.

Responsibilities

• Is becoming regarded as an expert in a technical discipline area (specialist or generalist), in their region or nationally (includes project management)
• Makes complex decisions with input and is consulted by others on office or regionally significant decisions
• Major focus is shifting toward project direction for projects with significant budgets and complexity, including contract negotiation, identifying strategic needs and provision of technical direction
• Client focus is on maintaining a broad client base and actively pursuing new business opportunities
• Displays leadership in technical elements of role, in management of project teams
• Mentors and coaches junior and intermediate staff with respect to their career growth and professional development
• Involved in hiring, performance reviews, salary reviews, discipline, termination and training decisions
• Is responsible for ensuring delivery of significant project reports or senior review of complex technical reports
• May be leading a technical discipline network
• Providing tailings services and technical advice on complex tailings issues to clients (external & internal) on projects within the mining industry
• Using advanced techniques, modifications and extension of theories, practices to synthesise and analyse data for decision making / recommendations
• Managing, analysing tailings and geotechnical reporting for projects which may include the design and inspection of mine waste storage facilities, the construction of tailings deposits, the operation and management of deposits, properties and behaviour of tailings, closure and deposits stability and seeping analysis and water storage dams and earthworks
• Providing safety leadership in health & safety
• Participating in training activities, mentoring and transferring knowledge to junior and intermediate tailings / geotechnical engineers;
• Planning, developing schedules, coordinating and overseeing manpower on important engineering projects to meet completion deadlines;
• Provides technical direction and supervises quality and quantity of work to junior and intermediate staff
• Preparing proposals and reports for clients and building business relationships with clients.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree (BEng or BSc) in the Civil Engineering including 10 years plus experience post-graduation with developed specialist skills in the area of tailings and geotechnical engineering;
• Honors degree (BEng or BSc) in the Geotechnical field preferred
• Professional registration at ECSA required
• Legislation related to engineering design supporting water use and waste management license applications;
• Financial knowledge (Understanding of Work in Progress, Accounts Receivables and DSOs);
• Proven skills/ experience to lead integrated project mine waste projects coupled with sound project management skills; and
• Proficient in MS Word, MS Excel (Advanced), MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook , MS Projects, slope stability analysis, seepage analysis and modelling software. Proficiency in other engineering related software will be considered beneficial;

Job Info

• Job Identification 71643
• Posting Date 09/23/2025, 04:40 PM

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity.

It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers.

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note:

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here .

Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here .