Technical Lead - Underground Paste Backfill Engineering

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Underground Paste Backfill Engineer to join our Salt Lake City, UT office. The following locations will also be considered:
Reno or Elko, NV. Be involved in projects with our Mining Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges. #Global Mining

As the Lead Underground Paste Backfill Engineer you will be responsible for the overall technical leadership, management, and successful delivery of the underground paste backfill scope. The role serves as the primary interface between the surface paste plant, underground mining operations, engineering disciplines, construction, commissioning, and the Owner's team. The position provides both engineering management and subject matter expertise for underground paste reticulation systems, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective project execution.

Your Impact

Engineering Leadership & Management

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of all underground paste backfill engineering activities.
• Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, consultants, and specialist resources.
• Monitor engineering progress, budgets, forecasts, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate interfaces between mining, process, mechanical, piping, electrical, controls, geotechnical, civil, and construction teams.
• Support project controls, risk management, change management, and reporting activities.

Underground Paste Backfill Technical Leadership

• Serve as the technical authority for underground paste backfill systems, including distribution piping, boreholes, valves, pumping systems, barricades, and stope delivery infrastructure.
• Establish and maintain design criteria, operating philosophies, and technical standards.
• Lead design reviews, constructability reviews, HAZOPs, and risk assessments.
• Ensure integration between the surface paste plant and underground distribution network.

Construction & Field Engineering Support

• Provide technical guidance during construction, installation, and underground infrastructure development.
• Review RFIs, contractor submittals, field changes, and design modifications.
• Support field inspections, walkdowns, and verification of construction against design intent.
• Work closely with the Construction Manager and contractor teams to resolve technical issues and maintain schedule performance. This aligns with the construction support and field engineering activities described in WSP's paste plant EPCM approach.

Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Lead underground paste system commissioning and startup activities.
• Develop commissioning strategies, test plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate integrated testing between surface facilities and underground infrastructure.
• Support operator training, startup troubleshooting, performance testing, and handover to operations.
• Drive readiness to achieve design throughput and operational performance objectives. WSP's paste plant proposals specifically identify engineering support during pre-commissioning, commissioning, system walkdowns, punch-list management, and verification of system readiness.

Stakeholder Managemen

• Serve as the primary engineering contact for the Owner's underground operations and technical teams.
• Facilitate decision-making and technical alignment across project stakeholders.
• Present engineering status, risks, mitigation plans, and recommendations to senior project leadership.
• Collaborate with professionals and other engineers on projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest relevant engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code…