Lead Civil/Geotechnical Engineer (Mine Waste)

WSP is seeking a Lead Civil/Geotechnical Engineer to join our US Mine Waste team at our office located in Lakewood, CO. The following locations will also be considered: Madison, WI and St. Louis, MO.

About the role

The Lead Civil/Geotechnical Engineer is an experienced professional who independently delivers and leads complex mine waste and tailings engineering assignments. This role applies advanced technical judgment, contributes to project and client leadership, and serves as a recognized technical resource within WSP. The selected professional will demonstrate consistent performance across technical excellence, project contribution, collaboration, and mentorship, with increasing visibility to external clients and regulators.

Responsibilities

• Lead the civil design of mine waste containment (tailings and waste rock) and heap leach facilities including initial layout and design, site selection and facility layout, geotechnical and hydrologic analyses, and preparation of design drawings and technical specifications for construction.
• Manage and execute a wide variety of mine waste geotechnical engineering projects, including geotechnical field investigations, laboratory testing programs, data interpretation, and geotechnical analysis.
• Scope, direct, and review complex geotechnical analyses with a focus on soil mechanics, including stability, seepage, thermal modelling; deposition modeling; and run out analyses for mine waste or water embankment dams and waste rock spoils.
• Independently manage projects according to client-approved scopes of work and deliver high-quality reports on time and within budget subject to senior review and oversight.
• Provide or contribute to client relationship and business development activities focused on building and growing our business.
• Work with and lead multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Support technical proposals and design work packages in response to client needs.
• Manage the work of junior engineers.
• Remain current in latest geotechnical engineering techniques and practices.
• Work collaboratively with other engineers and planners on projects with infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil / Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post-education experience in engineering and geotechnical design.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required.
• Demonstrated experience working on projects related to tailings management and heap leach facility design in the mining industry, and experience in commonly used software packages.
• Sound knowledge in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.
• Demonstrated client liaison and business development skills.
• Project management experience with small to mid-level projects including scoping, and tracking hours and expenses for project work.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, InRoads, Geopak, GeoSlope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis, and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or closely related field.
• Willingness to work on projects across business sectors, performing a variety of tasks, sometimes on short notice.
• Enthusiasm for field work and travel (local and national) as needed for project and other needs.
• 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Pay

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $98,300 - $149,500.

About WSP

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 our clients to help communities prosper.