Senior Engineer, Geomechanics

Opportunity

Senior Engineer, Geomechanics – Geotechnical Office’s Geomechanics Studies team, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

Permanent position. This role provides technical leadership in geomechanics, supporting mine planning, studies, and operations across open pit and underground operations in Canada and Brazil. Focus on geomechanical analysis, risk management, and decision support to ensure safe, stable, and productive mining.

• Perform geomechanics analyses and excavation designs supporting LOM plans, studies, and operational decision‑making.
• Develop and maintain geomechanical models, domains, and design parameters.
• Integrate geomechanical, geological, structural, seismic, hydrogeological, and mine planning data to deliver safe, practical mine designs.
• Provide geomechanics input to mining method selection, excavation and slope design, sequencing, and layout optimization.
• Assess geomechanical and seismic risks and define mitigation measures to protect safety and production in compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with Technical Services, Planning, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Operations to address slope stability, ground control, and seismic hazards.
• Support the development and implementation of Ground Control Management Plans, Seismic Risk Management Plans, and Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs).
• Participate in geotechnical investigations, audits, and reviews.
• Define geotechnical monitoring strategies, oversee installation and performance of monitoring systems, and interpret monitoring data to proactively manage stability risks.
• Prepare clear technical reports and presentations to communicate findings to operational teams and senior stakeholders.
• Mentor and support the development of geomechanics and geotechnical staff.
• Provide operational and on‑call technical support as required.

• Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan.
• Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package.
• Comprehensive benefits package (company‑paid core coverage, health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances).
• Leave for all life’s reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental).
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth.
• Employee Family Assistance Program.
• Virtual Healthcare online.
• Online training and career development opportunities.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical, Geomechanics, Mining/Rock Engineering, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) registration in Canada, or eligible for registration.
• 5–7 years of minimum work experience (4+ post P.Eng.) in relevant geotechnical fields.

• Strong experience with numerical modelling tools (FLAC3D, 3
  
  DEC, Rocscience Suite, Map3D) applied to mining geomechanics; programming and scripting related to these tools considered an asset.
• Solid understanding of mine design, ground control, geology, hydrogeology, and mining operations.
• Knowledge of industry‑standard software related to mine planning, geological modelling, and geotechnical monitoring systems considered an asset.
• Strong analytical judgment and decision‑making capability in complex, risk‑based mining environments.
• Knowledge of hydrogeological concepts as applied to geotechnical analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce concise, high‑quality technical documents and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; demonstrated experience mentoring junior professionals and building relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Self‑starter with strong time‑management skills and ability to prioritize competing technical and operational demands.

• Pay Grade: F5T
• Minimum Starting Salary: $100,000

Vale Base Metals is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across its operations and improve equal opportunity in the mining industry.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process for applicants with disabilities. Vale uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position.