Principal Metallurgist

Location: Red Dog Mine, AK, United States
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Workplace Type: On-site

Red Dog Operations is the largest critical minerals mine in the United States and one of the largest zinc mines in the world. The partnership between Teck and NANA ensures real benefits for the local Iñupiat community while advancing sustainable practices.

Reporting to the Superintendent of Integrated Planning (IPlan), the Principal Metallurgist provides leadership to the metallurgy team and ensures long‑term integrated plans align with short‑term execution. Rotation schedule: even rotation, 2 weeks on‑site with 2 weeks off‑site.

• Be a courageous safety leader, adhere to and sponsor safety and environmental rules and procedures.
• Champion Safety and Environmental Compliance, promoting a culture of safety leadership aligned with the company’s Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance (HSEC) commitments.
• Leadership and Team Development: supervise the technical development of the metallurgy team, including performance assessments, professional growth, and succession planning.
• Integrated Planning: manage metallurgy production plans for the 5‑year business plan, 1‑year budget plan, monthly forecasts, and weekly plans, ensuring plans are optimized and executable.
• Continuous Improvement: embed continuous improvement practices into the planning process and lead efforts to enhance performance and/or reduce costs in crushing, grinding, flotation, dewatering, and water treatment operations.
• Management: conduct effective variance management on mid‑ to short‑range plans through trade‑off and scenario analysis to optimize outcomes.
• Cross‑Departmental
  
  Collaboration:
  
  foster collaboration across department areas to create integrated plans that maximize value‑chain efficiency.
• Milling Process Expertise and Operational Guidance: offer subject‑matter expertise to address operational issues in milling processes.
• Provide expert guidance to Integrated Production and Execution teams, particularly in operational decision‑making and variance response strategies.
• Operational Modes Development: assist in the development of operating modes and targeted action response plans (TARP).
• Production Reporting: ensure accurate and reliable metallurgical and water treatment production reporting, including reconciliation processes.
• Concentrate Production Optimization: collaborate with Marketing, Trail, and Corporate teams to optimize concentrate specifications and production plans.
• Leadership Support: act as a stand‑in for the Superintendent, Integrated Planning.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor of Science/Engineering degree in Mineral Processing, Metallurgical, or Chemical Engineering.
• Ten (10) years senior‑level milling experience, preferably in base metal.
• Prior experience coordinating and supervising technical teams.
• Experience leading and implementing projects that improve metallurgical performance and/or operating costs.
• Strong communicator, able to communicate with key stakeholders clearly and concisely.
• Highly motivated team player with ability to develop strong relationships across multi‑operational disciplines.
• Exhibit courageous leadership in providing guidance in a variety of situations and environments.
• Efficiently work under high‑pressure situations and embed effective time management in execution of responsibilities.
• Advanced software skills in MS Office, especially spreadsheets.
• Advanced analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Knowledge of Power
  
  BI and/or other data analytics platforms.
• Familiarity with Grinding Expert Systems and JKSimMet software.

• Access:
  Fly in, fly out.
• Schedule:
  
  Two‑weeks on / two‑weeks off rotational schedule to support a healthy work‑life balance.
• Accommodation:
  Modern facilities, including dedicated spaces for group and individual physical activities, weights, cardio equipment, movie rooms, theme nights, and modern accommodation complexes. All meals are provided.
• Culture:
  Safe and healthy environment; drug‑free workplace with pre‑employment drug testing.

Compensation and benefits include medical, dental, life, AD&D, long‑term disability insurance, paid sick leave, vacation days, and a 401k plan. The two‑weeks on / two‑weeks off schedule is designed to provide a better work‑life balance for employees.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free hiring process. Accommodations are available upon request, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.