Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Mariana Minerals•Moab, UT

15h

About The Position

Mariana Minerals is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to support mine development, infrastructure design, and operations across open pit and underground mining projects. This role provides geotechnical expertise throughout the full project life cycle—from early-stage studies and site characterization through construction, operations, and closure. In this role, you will develop and maintain geotechnical models, perform stability analyses, and support safe, efficient mine designs. You will work closely with geology, mine planning, mining engineering, and infrastructure teams to ensure geotechnical considerations are fully integrated into mine layouts, schedules, and operating strategies. This is a hands-on technical role suited for an engineer with strong technical fundamentals who is comfortable working across office, site, and field environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical, Geological, or Civil Engineering (Master’s degree with geotechnical focus preferred)
3–8+ years of geotechnical engineering experience in mining operations and projects
Experience supporting open pit (preferred) and/or underground (nice-to-have) mining projects
Strong understanding of rock and soil mechanics, slope stability, and ground support principles
Proficiency with geotechnical analysis software (e.g., Rocscience suite, FLAC, PLAXIS, GeoStudio)
Familiarity with mine planning and 3D modeling tools (e.g., Leapfrog, Surpac, Deswik, GIS platforms)
Strong technical writing and analytical skills
Ability to work independently and in field-based environments
Professional Engineer (P.E./P.Eng) or working toward registration
Mine safety certifications (e.g., MSHA, First Aid)

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting open pit (preferred) and/or underground (nice-to-have) mining projects

Responsibilities

Plan and execute geotechnical investigations including drilling, test pits, core logging, sampling, and in-situ testing
Interpret geotechnical, structural, and hydrogeological data to develop site-specific ground and rock mass models
Coordinate and review laboratory testing programs for soil and rock mechanics
Perform slope stability analyses for open pits, waste dumps, leach pads and stockpiles
Provide geotechnical inputs to mine layouts, sequencing, and design trade-offs
Develop and review geotechnical designs for mine infrastructure including haul roads, embankments, foundations, and site earthworks
Ensure geotechnical designs align with applicable guidelines, standards, and governance frameworks
Integrate pore pressure, groundwater, and surface water considerations into geotechnical risk assessments
Support dewatering and depressurization strategies to manage slope and excavation stability risks
Identify geotechnical hazards related to slope stability, ground conditions, water, and seismicity, and contribute to risk assessments, design criteria, and mitigation strategies across all project stages
Ensure recommendations meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices
Design, implement, and interpret geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs (e.g. radar, lidar, piezometers), including thresholds and escalation protocols
Provide geotechnical oversight and direct operational guidance during construction and active mining, including drill & blast, sequencing, and access decisions
Respond to geotechnical issues with practical, field-ready engineering solutions
Develop, implement, and maintain Ground Control Management Plans (GCMPs), including associated Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs)
Prepare geotechnical reports, memoranda, and design documentation for internal teams, consultants, and regulators
Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to multidisciplinary project teams
Coordinate with external consultants, contractors and regulatory agencies as required
Mentor junior engineers and technically review consultant deliverables
Support site teams with ongoing operational guidance