RoleWe are seeking a
Senior Project Engineer to join the Engineering & Services team. In this role, you will provide technical and engineering leadership for early-stage studies, sustaining capital projects, operational improvement initiatives, and strategic infrastructure planning. You will help advance early-stage concepts into well-defined, viable studies and projects by coordinating multidisciplinary technical inputs, developing and reviewing engineering deliverables, evaluating alternatives, and preparing clear decision-support materials for senior management. Additionally, this position will also play a key role in advancing LAC's project stage-gate process through the development and implementation of standards, procedures, plans, templates, and supporting tools. The Senior Project Engineer will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Projects, the Technical Center, Permitting, and other functional groups to identify opportunities, develop practical solutions, and advance projects from concept through execution. The role will also support LAC's future power strategy and planning activities.
The role is based at our Reno, Nevada office and reports to the Senior Director, Engineering & Services. Regular travel to Winnemucca, the Thacker Pass site, and contractor or vendor offices are required based on project needs.
Key Responsibilities- Provide engineering leadership for assigned early-stage studies, sustaining capital projects, operational improvement initiatives, and strategic infrastructure studies.
- Advance early-stage concepts through the stage-gate/Front-End Loading (FEL) process by defining scope, developing technical information, evaluating alternatives, identifying key risks and assumptions, and preparing decision-support materials.
- Advance LAC's project stage-gate process through the development and implementation of standards, procedures, templates, plans, and supporting tools.
- Develop clear, concise presentations, reports, and recommendations for senior management and stage-gate decision reviews.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary technical inputs and deliverables across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Environmental, Permitting, Procurement, Construction, the Technical Center, and other stakeholders.
- Support development of project scopes, schedules, cost estimates, risk assessments, execution strategies, and change documentation in collaboration with project management and project controls.
- Evaluate technical alternatives and participate in trade-off, value-engineering, constructability, operability, maintainability, and life-cycle cost reviews.
- Identify technical assumptions, constraints, interfaces, dependencies, and risks; recommend practical mitigation measures and communicate issues and decisions promptly.
- Coordinate with engineering consultants, contractors, and vendors; provide technical direction within assigned areas of responsibility and review deliverables for quality, completeness, and conformance with project requirements.
- Support engineering activities through detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, operational readiness, and handover, as required.
- Support development of LAC's future power strategy and planning, including evaluation of power requirements, infrastructure needs, supply alternatives, and long-term capacity considerations.
- Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable codes, standards, permits, company requirements, and site operating practices.
- Promote safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable design and work practices and incorporate regulatory and community commitments into engineering activities.
- Build strong working relationships across functions and effectively coordinate with the Technical Center, Operations, Projects, Permitting, and other stakeholders to develop deliverables and achieve business objectives.
- Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with applicable environmental and regulatory requirements.
- Builds and maintains trusted relationships across all teams while championing a culture that reflects and supports our Purpose, Vision, and Values.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering experience supporting multidisciplinary studies and capital projects in mining, mineral processing, chemical processing, or other heavy industrial facilities.
- Working knowledge of project stage-gate/FEL processes and the engineering interfaces associated with project controls, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational handover.
- Demonstrated ability to advance ambiguous or early-stage concepts into clearly defined studies, projects, or decision-ready alternatives.
- Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary technical work, collaborate effectively with project managers and functional stakeholders, and provide clear direction to consultants and vendors within assigned areas of responsibility.
- Strong analytical, written, verbal, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to manage multiple technical assignments, exercise sound engineering judgment, constructively challenge assumptions, and develop practical, fit-for-purpose solutions.
- Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and accountability for assigned areas of responsibility, with the ability to work effectively with limited supervision.
- Personal commitment to Lithium Americas' Purpose, Vision, and Values.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in an operating plant, brownfield project, or active construction environment.
- Experience with mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, chemical processing, utilities, electrical infrastructure, or other industrial infrastructure projects.
- Experience developing early-stage concepts, FEL studies, business cases, or capital project proposals.
- Experience preparing technical reports, executive presentations, and recommendations for senior management or stage-gate decision reviews.
