Lead Underground Paste Backfill Engineer

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Underground Paste Backfill Engineer to join our Salt Lake City, UT office.  The following locations will also be considered: Reno or Elko, NV.  Be involved in projects with our Mining Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges. #GlobalMining

As the Lead Underground Paste Backfill Engineer you will be responsible for the overall technical leadership, management, and successful delivery of the underground paste backfill scope. The role serves as the primary interface between the surface paste plant, underground mining operations, engineering disciplines, construction, commissioning, and the Owner's team. The position provides both engineering management and subject matter expertise for underground paste reticulation systems, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective project execution. 

Your Impact

Engineering Leadership & Management

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of all underground paste backfill engineering activities.
• Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, consultants, and specialist resources.
• Monitor engineering progress, budgets, forecasts, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate interfaces between mining, process, mechanical, piping, electrical, controls, geotechnical, civil, and construction teams.
• Support project controls, risk management, change management, and reporting activities.

Underground Paste Backfill Technical Leadership

• Serve as the technical authority for underground paste backfill systems, including distribution piping, boreholes, valves, pumping systems, barricades, and stope delivery infrastructure.
• Establish and maintain design criteria, operating philosophies, and technical standards.
• Lead design reviews, constructability reviews, HAZOPs, and risk assessments.
• Ensure integration between the surface paste plant and underground distribution network.

Construction & Field Engineering Support

• Provide technical guidance during construction, installation, and underground infrastructure development.
• Review RFIs, contractor submittals, field changes, and design modifications.
• Support field inspections, walkdowns, and verification of construction against design intent.
• Work closely with the Construction Manager and contractor teams to resolve technical issues and maintain schedule performance. This aligns with the construction support and field engineering activities described in WSP's paste plant EPCM approach. 

Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Lead underground paste system commissioning and startup activities.
• Develop commissioning strategies, test plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate integrated testing between surface facilities and underground infrastructure.
• Support operator training, startup troubleshooting, performance testing, and handover to operations.
• Drive readiness to achieve design throughput and operational performance objectives. WSP's paste plant proposals specifically identify engineering support during pre-commissioning, commissioning, system walkdowns, punch-list management, and verification of system readiness. 

Stakeholder Managemen

• Serve as the primary engineering contact for the Owner's underground operations and technical teams.
• Facilitate decision-making and technical alignment across project stakeholders.
• Present engineering status, risks, mitigation plans, and recommendations to senior project leadership.
• Collaborate with professionals and other engineers on projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.  
• Remain current in latest relevant engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs. 

Who You Are
Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related discipline.
• PE or P.Eng. designation preferred.
• 8+ years of mining project experience and experience involving underground mining and paste backfill systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams on major capital projects through study, detailed design, construction, and commissioning.
• Strong understanding of EPCM project delivery models and multidisciplinary engineering management.
• Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.  
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, load calculations, discipline-specific design software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, load calculations, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Key Deliverables

• Underground paste backfill execution strategy.
• Engineering management plans and staffing plans.
• Design criteria, specifications, and technical reviews.
• Interface management and risk registers.
• Construction support documentation and field engineering resolutions.

Preferred Experience

• Deep experience with underground paste backfill systems, reticulation networks, and mine infrastructure.
• Experience on large underground gold, copper, or polymetallic mining projects.
• Experience leading engineering and field support during construction and commissioning.
• Commissioning plans, performance test procedures, and turnover packages.
• Monthly engineering progress, forecast, and risk reports.

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