Tailings Technical Lead — Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Hatch; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Hatch is seeking an experienced Tailings Technical Lead to provide technical authority across TSF projects in South Africa. You will guide geotechnical assessments, risk reviews, and governance within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring alignment with global best practices and regulatory requirements.

The role focuses on leading technical governance, mentoring engineers, and supporting business development while delivering safe, sustainable tailings solutions across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil, Geotechnical or related Engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineering registration (Pr.Eng, P.Eng, CEng or equivalent).
• Minimum 15 years' experience in tailings engineering and TSF design.
• Feasibility, detailed design, construction, and operational support experience.
• Strong understanding of TSF operations, dam safety, and risk management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and technical reviews valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for TSF and mine waste projects throughout the full asset lifecycle.
• Lead and review geotechnical, tailings, dam safety, and risk management assessments.
• Advise on complex tailings engineering challenges including static and seismic stability, SCPTu interpretation, and liquefaction.
• Support and guide projects operating within an Engineer of Record (EoR) framework.
• Lead technical due diligence reviews, dam safety evaluations, and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, governance requirements, and best practice.
• Mentor, coach, and develop junior tailings engineers.
• Support business development, client engagement, and proposal preparation activities.

Skills

Tailings engineering

Geotechnical engineering

Dam safety

SCPTu investigations

Seismic liquefaction

Geotechnical modelling

Water management

Education

Civil/Geotechnical Engineering degree

Job description

Hatch is seeking an experienced Tailings Technical Lead to provide technical authority across TSF projects in South Africa. You will guide geotechnical assessments, risk reviews, and governance within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring alignment with global best practices and regulatory requirements.

The role focuses on leading technical governance, mentoring engineers, and supporting business development while delivering safe, sustainable tailings solutions across the project lifecycle.