Mine Engineer

NAES•Bremond, TX

2d•$73,200 - $115,200

About The Position

The Mine Engineer supports production optimization and safety at Walnut Creek Mining Company, a surface lignite mine that produces more than 2 million tons annually and supplies fuel to a 308-megawatt power plant. The role develops and communicates mine plans, manages GPS design files, uses drone technology and surveying data, and works with other functions to meet production targets while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance. The position includes developing biweekly mine plans and associated designs, maintaining soil sampling maps and databases, conducting drone surveys, updating mining activity records, and compiling production statistics and KPI analyses. The Mine Engineer also coordinates planning and performance meetings, supports field surveying, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and resolve operational bottlenecks. The Mine Engineer reports to the Mine Engineering Manager and may also take direction from the Mine Manager. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday on day shift, with occasional extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call duty as needed. Some travel may be required for offsite meetings. The work takes place in coal-mining environments and involves required personal protective equipment and physical demands including walking on uneven terrain, climbing, working at heights or in confined areas, and handling items weighing up to 50 pounds. A post-offer physical examination and drug screening, as well as post-employment random drug screening, are part of the Fitness for Duty Program.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related field; relevant work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Familiarity with mine surveying, including fieldwork and data processing using scanners, drones, and related tools.
Basic knowledge of mine planning, civil design, and production tracking, gained through academic projects, internships, or early-career roles.
Proficiency with mine planning and reporting software such as AutoCAD, Carlson, and Vulcan.
Skills in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
Understanding of MSHA regulations and environmental and regulatory standards related to mine reclamation and compliance.
Ability to support surveying activities, including data collection, mapping, and spatial analysis.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to address operational challenges, contribute to technical reports, and provide data-driven recommendations under supervision.
Knowledge of financial principles applicable to operational planning.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaboration with team members, supervisors, stakeholders, and cross-functional site and corporate personnel.
Organizational skills to balance short-range mine planning, production tracking, budget support, and regulatory compliance responsibilities.
Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver's license that remains in good standing.
Ability to meet the role's physical requirements and participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, including post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Preferred 0 to 3 years of mine engineering experience, particularly in surface mining or heavy industrial operations.
Familiarity with Trimble, Pix4D, DJI, and Wingtra surveying systems.

Responsibilities

Perform all work in compliance with the Walnut Creek Mining Company Safety Handbook and follow NAES safety rules, procedures, warnings, and posted signs.
Participate in Job Hazard Analyses to assess work areas, identify hazards, and implement controls before work begins.
Communicate using radio, email, Teams, and phone systems in accordance with FCC and company requirements.
Uphold NAES values and standards to maintain a safe, healthy, and clean work environment.
Develop, implement, and communicate biweekly mine plans that optimize production and meet budget and forecast KPIs.
Maintain and communicate weekly soil sampling maps and databases to support production optimization and permit compliance.
Support the development and communication of designs associated with biweekly mine plans.
Manage GPS design files and ensure devices contain only active, current designs.
Conduct and process weekly and monthly drone surveys for mine planning and operational decisions.
Update the equipment sheet database to document mining activities accurately.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and optimize operations.
Build cross-functional relationships so operational and production plans are realistic, informed, and achievable.
Compile and report weekly and monthly mine production statistics, including material production, equipment availability, and utilization, and provide production reports and KPI analyses.
Coordinate biweekly mine planning, KPI, and production performance meetings to review progress, analyze metrics, and resolve production issues.
Provide field surveying support and perform other reasonable duties as assigned.