Senior Tailings Engineer (Geotechnical)

About the role

Our client is seeking a senior‑level, self‑motivated Tailings Engineer with more than 7 years of tailings‑related experience to join their Tailings Department, based in Rivonia, on a full‑time basis. The engineer will contribute to new and existing projects, assisting project managers and directors with surveillance of existing tailings storage facilities and the design of new ones, as well as return water dams.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and schedule projects, compile proposals and appoint sub‑contractors and sub‑consultants.
• Conduct surveillance of tailings storage facilities and return water dams, including annual audit inspections.
• Travel to sites in South Africa, Tanzania and West Africa for inspections and field investigations.
• Drive and manage the design of new tailings storage facilities, return water dams and associated infrastructure.
• Perform and oversee stability analysis of various facilities using limit equilibrium and numerical methods.
• Transfer knowledge and mentor graduate, junior and intermediate engineers.

Required profile

• More than 7 years of tailings engineering experience with strong soil mechanics knowledge.
• Experience in geotechnical investigations, CPTu testing, and tailings dam breach assessments.
• At least 5 years of experience with limit equilibrium and numerical slope stability and seepage analysis.
• Valid driver’s licence; passport advantageous.
• Good critical thinking, communication in English, and ability to manage client relationships.

Required skills

• GeoStudio, Plaxis, Slide (slope stability and seepage analysis software).
• AutoCAD Civil 3D or Modelmaker.
• MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Projects/Primavera.
• CPTu testing and interpretation.