Mine Engineer

NAES•Bremond, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mine Engineer supports production optimization and safety compliance at Walnut Creek Coal Mine, a surface coal mine that produces more than 2 million tons of lignite annually for a 308-megawatt power plant. The role develops and executes mine production plans, manages GPS design files, uses drone technology to collect mine data, and collaborates across departments to meet production targets and improve operational performance. The Mine Engineer reports to the Mine Engineering Manager and may also take direction from the Mine Manager. The position follows a standard Monday-to-Friday day-shift schedule, with occasional extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call periods as required by workload and mine conditions. Some travel may be required for offsite meetings. The position offers an annual base salary of $73,200 to $115,200 and eligibility for an annual performance bonus. The work takes place in coal-mining environments and may involve surface or underground settings, confined spaces, low-clearance areas, and outdoor or remote locations. Employees must comply with mine and company safety rules, participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, and use required personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mining engineering or a related field; relevant work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address operational challenges, contribute to technical reports, and provide data-driven recommendations under supervision.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaboration with team members, supervisors, stakeholders, and cross-functional site and corporate personnel.
Effective 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 physical demands of the role, including prolonged standing and walking on uneven, rough, or inclined surfaces; climbing stairs, ladders, and equipment; working at heights or in confined locations; and frequently lifting, carrying, or maneuvering materials or tools weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in conditions that may include coal dust, fumes, vibration, high noise levels, moisture, extreme temperatures, low light, changing weather, confined or restricted spaces, and tight quarters requiring crawling, kneeling, or stooping.
Compliance with required PPE, mine safety rules, posted warnings, and the company's no-smoking policies.

Nice To Haves

Preferred 0 to 3 years of mine-engineering experience, particularly in surface mining or heavy industrial operations.
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.
Familiarity with Trimble, Pix4D, DJI, and Wingtra surveying systems, as well as 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.
Knowledge of financial principles applicable to operational planning.

Responsibilities

Perform work in compliance with the Walnut Creek Mining Company Safety Handbook and prioritize safety.
Participate in Job Hazard Analyses to assess work conditions, 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 and help 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 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 through continuous improvement.
Build cross-functional relationships to ensure operational and production plans are realistic and achievable.
Compile and report weekly and monthly mine production statistics, including material production, equipment availability, and utilization; 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.
Participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, including a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.
Travel as needed to participate in offsite meetings.