Sr. Geotechnical Engineer

Discover a rewarding career opportunity at Kinross in the stunning rural landscapes of Washington State. Recognized for our leadership in low-impact mine development and nationally acclaimed for our reclamation and closure practices, our team has produced gold from six different deposits in the region since 1990. Currently we are advancing a multi-year pipeline of projects and growing our team to ensure effective delivery and seamless transition into operations.

Under the direction of the Technical Services Manager, the Senior Geotechnical Engineer provides all underground geotechnical engineering activities for the Curlew mine to support safe, efficient, and productive mining operations. This role provides technical expertise for mine design, ground control, underground infrastructure, and operational planning while developing and maintaining geotechnical standards, programs, and best practices for the life of the mine.

The Senior Geotechnical Engineer works closely with Operations, Technical Services, and contractors to identify and manage geotechnical risks, optimize mine performance, and ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements. This position also provides technical leadership and mentorship while supporting the successful development, ramp-up, and long-term operation of the Curlew mine.

• Ground Control Management Planning:
  Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP).
• Ground Support Design:
  Lead ground control planning and design for underground excavations, including selection and optimization of rock bolts, mesh, shotcrete, cable bolts, and other support systems suitable for complex ground conditions. Work with mining teams to ensure effective application.
• QA/QC:
  Lead Develop, implement and maintain the underground backfill and ground support QA/QC Program.
• Stope Sequencing and Design:
  Use numerical modeling (FLAC3D, Map3D or other) as appropriate along with other analytical methods to support stope design, backfill performance, pillar stability, and sequencing.
• Instrumentation & Monitoring:
  Implement and manage underground monitoring systems including all types of best practice underground mine instrumentation. Analyze data to track ground performance and inform mine planning.
• Geotechnical
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Identify ground control hazards, develop and maintain the mine’s Ground Control Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) and work with all stakeholders to mitigate ground control hazards.
• Integrated Planning Support:
  Collaborate closely with all stakeholders, including external consultants, corporate leadership and mine engineers, geology, and operations to provide geotechnical input into stope designs, development layouts, extraction sequencing, and backfill strategies.
• Project Management:
  Manage scopes of work, budgets, and timelines for geotechnical components of capital and operational projects.
• Regulatory & Compliance Support:
  Prepare documentation in support of MSHA-compliant ground control plans, permitting, and internal audits.
• Mentorship & Team Leadership:
  Provide mentorship and technical support to other engineers and geologists; participate in internal knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Underground Field Work

This position works approximately 30% of the time in the underground. Underground work includes field observations on foot, driving underground, engaging with and collecting information from employees in the field, and providing education to employees.

Regularly perform other mining engineering practices including but not limited to underground mine design, short term planning, ventilation, longhole stope D&B design, stope reconciliations, operational support, etc.

This position works approximately 70% in an office setting on the surface. The majority of the office duties include performing essential functions on a computer screen, and attending or facilitating meetings.

• Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in geological engineering, geotechnical engineering, geology, mining or civil engineering or equivalent.
  • Geotechnical
    
    Experience:
    
    Underground 5+ Years.
  • Familiarity with U.S. mining regulations under 30 CFR and its PPMaProficiency in rock mechanics design, numerical modeling, and ground monitoring techniques.
  • Strong field presence and practical problem-solving skills.
  • Strong verbal, written,…