Job Description

PURPOSE
Exciting opportunities exist for experienced tailings Engineers to lead technical risk management in a Fraser Alexander Tailings (FAT) region. The Senior Technical Engineer (STE) will oversee a regional team within Technical Services, ensure compliance across TSFs, and drive strategic risk management with internal and external stakeholders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational and Technical Risk Management, and Optimisation

• Serve as the regional technical authority on all tailings-related risk matters.
• Oversee and quality-assure technical reporting, audits, risk assessments, and mitigation plans for assigned TSFs.
• Ensure adherence to FAT standards, protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Directly support, develop and review advanced technical analyses (e.g., stability assessments, water balances, life of facility and capacity assessments).
• Lead interface with the RTFEs and EoRs.

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Supervise and mentor team within region of responsibility.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and knowledge transfer across the FAT team.
• Manage performance expectations, track progress, and support professional development of the team.
• Lead by example in technical excellence and field-based engineering practices.

Strategic and Commercial Support

• Collaborate with regional, operational leadership and FAT departments to integrate technical risk considerations into planning and execution.
• Support business development and project scoping through expert technical input.
• Contribute to the development and costing of new project proposals and extensions.
• Guide prioritisation of regional technical focus areas and align with strategic risk objectives.

Budget and Resource Management

• Support the HoD in developing and managing the departmental strategy and budget.
• Track expenditure, resource allocation, and performance metrics related to technical services delivery.
• Identify resource gaps and plan for team development and tool enhancement needs.

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance

• Represent the technical function in regional leadership engagements, including operations, SHEQ, and commercial functions.
• Ensure that critical technical risks are clearly communicated to leadership and addressed in risk mitigation plans.
• Participate in internal and external audits, as well as combined assurance processes.

SHEQ and Continuous Improvement

• Champion a culture of technical excellence, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Proactively identify improvement areas and lead initiatives to strengthen governance, data quality, and technical risk management practice.

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential

• BTech or BSc/BEng in Civil, Geotechnical, or related Engineering discipline.
• Registered with ECSA as a Pr.Eng or Pr.Tech.Eng (if not yet professionally registered, must demonstrate eligibility and readiness to submit within 12 months).

Preferred

• Risk management qualification (e.g. PMI-RMP).

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum six years' relevant experience in tailing operations and/or tailings technical support.
• Proven experience in managing or leading/supervising teams.
• Strong TSF technical expertise, with applied knowledge of risk assessment.
• Strong working knowledge of MHSA, NWA, NEMA, OHSA, SANS 10286, GISTM, ANCOLD, CDA, TSM, etc.
• Experience in client-facing roles and multidisciplinary coordination.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal
• High-level technical report writing, review, and presentation
• Advanced proficiency in geotechnical and engineering software (e.g. Slide, Slope W, Seep W, AutoCAD, Muk3D).
• Commercial and financial acumen related to budgeting, costing, and contract support.
• Strategic thinking and decision-making in complex, high-risk environments.
• Ability to operate independently and lead with confidence and integrity.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver's license.
• Willingness and ability to travel to regional and remote sites.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with tailings management best practices.

CLOSING DATE: 27 JUNE 2025