Stantec

Senior / Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Tailings, Mine Waste and Water Dams

Stantec • $110K — $130K *
Energy & Utilities
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Recognized expertise in geotechnical engineering for tailings and water-retaining dams.
  • Strong understanding of geotechnical characterization and dam behavior.
  • Experience with dam safety and risk-informed decision-making.
  • Solid background in mining operations and tailings management.
  • Proficiency in geotechnical analysis tools like GeoStudio and PLAXIS; AutoCAD knowledge is a plus.
  • Proven project leadership and client management experience.
  • Excellent technical writing and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical input for planning and design of tailings and waste facilities.
  • Direct geotechnical characterization and advanced analyses.
  • Conduct dam safety reviews and develop risk-reduction measures.
  • Support preparation of closure and reclamation plans and technical reports.
  • Provide senior geotechnical input for water-retaining dam assessments and designs.
  • Manage multidisciplinary assignments, ensuring quality and client communication.
  • Mentor junior professionals and promote a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for professional growth and development.
  • Engagement in diverse and impactful projects across Canada.
  • Collaborative work environment with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Support for continuous improvement and technical excellence.
  • Potential for involvement in industry committees and technical publications.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Your Opportunity

Stantec is seeking a Senior / Principal Geotechnical Engineer to support the growth of our Mining Geotechnical, Tailings and Dam Engineering practice in Ontario and across Canada. The successful candidate will provide senior technical leadership on tailings and mine waste projects and/or water-retaining dam and hydropower assignments. Candidates are not expected to have equal depth in every practice area; demonstrated expertise in tailings dams, mine waste facilities, water dams, or a complementary combination will be considered. The role combines technical leadership, project delivery, client engagement, business development, staff mentoring and support for team growth, quality and technical excellence.

Tailings and Mine Waste Engineering
  • Lead or provide senior technical input to planning, investigation, design, assessment, construction, operation and closure of tailings storage facilities, waste rock storage facilities and associated water management and containment structures
  • Direct or review geotechnical characterization, design criteria and advanced analyses, including slope stability, seepage, seismic response, liquefaction, settlement and deformation assessments
  • Lead or support dam safety reviews, risk assessments, inspections, performance evaluations and development of practical risk-reduction measures for tailings and mine waste facilities
  • Provide technical input across study and design phases, including concept studies, PEA, PFS, FS, detailed design, construction and closure, with deliverables appropriate to the project phase
  • Support preparation and review of closure and reclamation plans, technical reports, design memoranda, drawings, specifications and construction documentation

Water Dams and Hydropower Infrastructure
  • Lead or provide senior geotechnical input to assessment, design, rehabilitation and construction of earthfill, rockfill and other water-retaining dams, dikes and hydropower-related infrastructure
  • Plan and review dam safety investigations, deficiency assessments, surveillance and instrumentation programs, and geotechnical evaluations of existing structures
  • Direct or review stability, seepage, seismic, liquefaction, settlement and deformation analyses and develop practical rehabilitation or risk-reduction measures
  • Support dam owners such as utilities, municipalities and public agencies through design, construction, performance monitoring and dam safety assignments
  • Apply relevant national, international dam safety guidelines, regulatory requirements, accepted industry practice and the client requirements

Technical Leadership, Project Delivery and Practice Growth
  • Serve as a senior technical advisor and reviewer, establishing design approaches, confirming assumptions and maintaining clear technical traceability and quality
  • Lead or manage multidisciplinary assignments, including scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, resourcing and client communications
  • Build and maintain client relationships; identify opportunities and lead or contribute to proposals, interviews and business development activities
  • Mentor and develop intermediate and junior professionals, support recruitment and onboarding, and help build a collaborative, high-performing team
  • Promote technical excellence, knowledge sharing, innovation, consistent work practices and continuous improvement across the practice
  • Collaborate with Stantec teams across Ontario, Canada and internationally to assemble appropriate expertise and deliver integrated solutions


Qualifications

Your Capabilities and Credentials
  • Recognized technical expertise in geotechnical engineering for tailings facilities, mine waste facilities, water-retaining dams or related earth structures
  • Strong understanding of geotechnical characterization, dam and embankment behavior, design and construction, with the ability to make timely and defensible technical decisions
  • Demonstrated experience with dam safety, risk-informed decision-making and evaluation of geotechnical failure modes
  • Solid understanding of mining operations and tailings management, with proven experience in an engineering consulting environment
  • Proficiency with relevant geotechnical analysis tools, such as GeoStudio, PLAXIS, FLAC, RS2/Slide2 or comparable software; working knowledge of AutoCAD or Civil 3D is an asset
  • Proven consulting experience in project leadership, client management, proposal development and multidisciplinary delivery
  • Experience supervising, guiding, developing and mentoring technical staff, with a commitment to quality and technical excellence
  • Excellent technical writing, presentation and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate complex technical matters clearly to clients, regulators, contractors and multidisciplinary teams
  • Knowledge of Canadian mining, dam safety and environmental regulatory contexts
  • Ability and willingness to travel to project sites, including remote locations, as required
  • Valid Canadian driver's license

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geological or Geotechnical Engineering from a recognized university. A master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering is preferred; a PhD is an asset
Typically fifteen or more years of progressively responsible geotechnical consulting, mining, tailings, dam or hydropower experience, including senior technical and project leadership responsibilities
Licensed Professional Engineer in good standing with Professional Engineers Ontario, or eligible for registration in Ontario
Relevant professional contributions, such as participation in industry committees, technical publications, conference presentations or specialized dam safety training, are assets
Experience in Canadian mining, dam safety and environmental regulatory contexts; experience in Ontario is an asset

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec Inc. is a global engineering consulting firm headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The company provides professional consulting services in the areas of infrastructure, water, environment, buildings, and energy. Stantec has over 22,000 employees working in more than 400 locations across six continents. The company has a diverse client base that includes public and private sector clients. Stantec is committed to sustainability and has implemented green practices in its operations. The company has received numerous awards for its work, including the American Council of Engineering Companies' National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement.
Learn more about Stantec
Size
25,000 employees
Market Cap
$5.1 billion
Industry
Founded
1954
5 Year Trend
+3.3%
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Stantec

More Energy & Utilities Jobs

Find similar Senior / Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Tailings, Mine Waste and Water Dams jobs: