Principal Tailings Engineer

About the business and the role
At SLR Consulting, we celebrate a ‘One Team Culture’, where bringing together diversity of thought and expression is key to building the best team to deliver excellent results. We strive to create an inclusive workplace where we value different experiences and look to create a culture where everyone belongs. The SLR culture is underpinned by our 5Bs which, in short is to Be safe, Belong, Be trusted, Be yourself and Be Successful.

SLR APAC has over 700 employees located throughout 24 offices. Our team represents a broad and diverse range of technical and environmental capabilities. SLR’s professionals offer a blend of experience incorporating engineers, geologists, hydrogeologists, remediation specialists, regulatory and compliance specialists, and environmental scientists.  We work for clients throughout our six primary business sectors: Energy, Mining, Industry, Infrastructure, Built Environment and Power.  

SLR APAC is seeking a Principal Tailings Engineer to join our growing national and global mine waste team, based out of our modern riverside Brisbane offices. For the right candidates, opportunities also exist within our Gold Coast, Townsville, Mackay, Sydney, Wollongong and Perth (and potentially other) offices. At SLR, we operate with our global engineering team (120+ engineers over 6 continents) to support one another across borders, bringing the highest level of experience and technical capabilities to our clients. 

We service some of the largest mining clients within Australia and offer the unique project portfolio that can range from smaller projects and studies for specific mine operations to multi-million-dollar, multi-discipline projects servicing international clients.

Responsibilities:
This role offers significant long-term career rewards and opportunities for professional development and career advancement. The position offers the opportunity to:

• Work on a wide range of tailings facility and water dam projects at the technical advisory level, across a portfolio of mine sites locally and globally.
• Actively participate in growing the size and technical development of the team.
• Have autonomy and recognition in your contribution to a diverse range of projects from inception to completion.
• Work with an extremely capable and experienced team to support your preferred technical specialism(s) and ambitions for Professional Development.
• Develop meaningful and genuine relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Establish and elevate your reputation within the tailings industry, and become a leader within a diverse business on an exciting growth curve.

What makes us different

• SLR understands tailings management is a multidisciplinary field where you will have the opportunity within SLR to interact and work with industry leading professionals in civil engineering, geochemistry, hydrology, hydrogeology, environment and closure.  
• SLR are committed to applying industry best practice to tailings management and we understand the dynamic environment and rapidly increasing knowledge base within the field. SLR believe in supporting our staff to learn, develop and apply the latest skills in the tailings management field.
• SLR strive to build strong, trusting and lasting relationships with our clients. 
• We have global expertise in tailings management and implement a collaborative approach to our team resourcing. 

Experience
The successful candidate will have the following attributes and experience: 

• A minimum of 10 years of specialisation and demonstrated experience in Tailings Engineering in a consulting role, with tertiary qualifications in Geotechnical / Civil Engineering.
• Registered Professional Engineer, or eligible to register immediately.
• Have previously undertaken a senior / leadership role within a Tailings Engineering team.
• Extensive experience leading and overseeing projects from concept to final design and implementation and provide direction and advice to clients.
• Good appreciation of quality and risk management processes within a consulting firm.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills (English) and strong ability to transfer these skills in preparation of fee proposals, engineering reports, design specifications and design drawings.
• Ability to plan and deliver geotechnical site investigations for tailings projects with demonstrated experience in the interpretation of field and laboratory testing of tailings, soils and rock, and slope stability assessments.
• In-depth understanding of local and global tailings standards and guidelines, e.g. ANCOLD, ICOLD, GISTM and CDA.
• Ability to conduct dam safety inspections, dam safety reviews and risk assessments for tailings facilities and embankment dams.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Demonstrated technical autonomy working across multiple commodities and working with larger multi-disciplinary teams.
• Be proficient in business, client and project development with the ability to be self-sufficient.
• Well-developed creative, lateral thinking and problem-solving skills. 
• Be driven to pass on your knowledge by mentoring junior staff.
• A previous or current appointment as an Engineer of Record would be highly regarded.

Benefits

Our culture is unique where we work together to collaborate on projects to get the best possible outcome for our clients. Whether you’re working in the office, from home or a mix of the two, we recognise that every person is different, and our benefits aim to ensure that we cater for all, including:

• Hybrid work model – a mix of in the office and at home- you choose where you work best.
• Extra paid purchased leave up to 10 days so you can re-energize, help others, support family, or focus on your own professional development.
• Inclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents throughout their parenting journey which includes 14 weeks primary carer and 6 weeks secondary carer leave (with the option to access an additional 8 weeks of leave if you become the primary carer before your child turns one). 
• Learning and development which includes a mapped career progression path, study assistance and up to 3 professional memberships subsidised by SLR.
• Global and regional mobility and recruitment referral bonus for both region and global candidates.
• Access to The Hive – an SLR platform of employee benefits, discounts, discounts (from 100’s of major retailers) reward, recognition and wellbeing
• Other benefits include regular office social events, service anniversary awards, salary sacrificing (novated car lease) an online corporate uniform shop with individualised annual budget, and an Employee Assistance Program to support your physical, mental and social well-being.

If joining a growing global environmental consultancy with an established national presence excites you, please apply now or reach out for more information.