Tailings Technology Lead
WSPWhat if you could redefine what’s possible?
With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it.
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We are pathfinders and impact makers.
We are Visioneers.
We are WSP.
The Opportunity
Your Impact Starts Here - As a Tailings Technology Lead with our Ground Engineering team, you’ll shape the future of safe and sustainable resource development, land reclamation, and closure across Canada.
Based in Calgary or Edmonton you will collaborate with multidisciplinary experts on complex and meaningful projects, advancing innovation, elevating technical excellence, and delivering iconic projects with future ready outcomes that will benefit clients and communities.
Your Impact
- Provide technical leadership for tailings and mine waste technologies across projects
- Lead development and evaluation of new tailings and dewatering technologies
- Integrate process, geotechnical, and water management considerations
- Work with an established laboratory team to successfully complete projects associated with testing in tailings applications and to develop and operate new laboratory equipment
- Oversee geotechnical centrifuge testing for tailings consolidation and dewatering behavior
- Own design, execution, and interpretation of bench-scale and pilot-scale tailings tests including establishing QA/QC protocols
- Translate lab and pilot results into field-relevant tailings performance predictions
- Support life‑of‑mine tailings strategies and closure planning
- Develop and enhance key client relationships and serve as a primary company contact on projects
- Coordinate with WSP colleagues and external clients to define work programs and budgets, provided leadership and strategy including general oversight and planning, and project management
- Mentor engineers, scientists, and laboratory staff to advance technical capabilities across the team
- Contribute to proposals, internal R&D strategy, and SR&ED-supported development
- Collaborate with national laboratory practitioners and internal geochemistry, geotechnical, and process engineering teams
- Ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with industry standards and best practice.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct, Quality Program requirements, and related policies and procedures.
- Stay current with emerging industry trends, technologies, and professional standards; represent WSP at conferences and sector events.
The Skills That Set You Apart
- A degree in Engineering (Civil, Geotechnical, Process, Mining, Environmental), Science (Chemistry or Physical Sciences), or a related discipline
- A postgraduate degree (MSc/PhD) in engineering, tailings, geoscience, chemistry or mining related discipline is an asset
- 10+ years of experience in tailings or mining‑related environments or research, project site experience is an asset
- Demonstrated experience with tailings technologies or processes and strong knowledge of alternative tailings technologies (paste, thickened, filtered)
- Strong understanding of flocculation, coagulation, and polymer-driven processes
- Experience designing and running customized laboratory or pilot-scale equipment
- Knowledge of tailings rheology, dewatering, and large-strain consolidation
- Hands-on experience with physical modelling or centrifuge testing preferred
- Working knowledge of X-ray diffraction interpretation or ability to collaborate with specialists
- Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills
- Experience working with clients in an R&D or technology-development capacity
- Comfortable making judgment-based decisions under technical uncertainty
Track record of mentoring or leading technical specialists
Why Choose WSP?
We exist to shape communities to advance humanity. The brightest engineers, advisors and scientists from across the globe call WSP home.
- Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
- A global community of brilliant minds – your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
- Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it’s across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition — because your growth drives ours.
- Flexible work, real balance – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.
#WeAreWSP
Compensation
AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $122,900 - $162,800
MB & ON: $112,100 - $154,400
NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $111,000 - $147,400
Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.
Ready to Shape the Future?
If you’re driven to lead innovation at the forefront of tailings and mine waste technology, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. Join WSP’s Ground Engineering team in Calgary and apply your expertise to complex, meaningful projects that advance safe, sustainable resource development across Canada.
Bring your ideas, leadership, and technical curiosity, and help deliver future‑ready outcomes for our clients, communities, and the environment.