Mine Waste, Lead Geotechnical Engineer

Job Description

WSP is seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer for the US Mine Waste team at our Reno, NV office. This role provides the opportunity to work on challenging mining, heavy civil, and geotechnical projects within a growing organization that delivers solutions to clients.

• Lead civil design of mine waste containment (tailings and waste rock) and heap leach facilities, including layout, site selection, geotechnical and hydrologic analyses, and preparation of construction drawings and specifications.
• Manage and execute mine waste geotechnical engineering projects: field investigations, laboratory testing, data interpretation and geotechnical analysis.
• Scope, direct, and review complex geotechnical analyses, focusing on soil mechanics, stability, seepage, thermal modelling, deposition modelling, and run‑out analyses for waste dams and spoils.
• Independently manage projects per client‑approved scope, delivering high‑quality reports on time and within budget while undergoing senior review.
• Contribute to client relationships and business development activities, including proposals and design work packages.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary project teams, manage junior engineers, and maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of advanced geotechnical practices.
• Collaborate with other engineers and planners on federally, state, regional, or locally funded infrastructure projects.
• Exercise responsible, ethical decision‑making regarding company resources, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 7–10 years of post‑education experience in engineering and geotechnical design.
• Engineer license required.
• Experience with tailings management and heap leach facility design in mining, and proficiency in common software packages (Micro Station, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, InRoads, Geopak, Geo Slope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC‑RAS, HEC‑HMS).
• Sound knowledge of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.
• Client liaison and business development skills.
• Project management experience with small‑ to mid‑level projects (scoping, hour and expense tracking).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to express ideas professionally to engineering and non‑engineering audiences.
• Self‑leadership, attention to detail, multitasking, prioritization, and minimal supervision; ability to lead junior team members and adhere to QA/QC.
• Technical writing and office automation proficiency; advanced spreadsheet and predictive modeling skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; ability to apply technical knowledge to draw conclusions from testing, data collation, analysis, and provide effective solutions.
• Track record of upholding safety and ability to comply with WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Availability for schedules beyond typical workweek; occasional travel may be required.

• Master’s Degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or closely related field.
• Willingness to work across business sectors on varied tasks.
• Enthusiastic about field work and travel locally and nationally.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Professional Services

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors, and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with clients to help communities prosper.

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

WSP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.