Principal Tailings Engineer

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

This role will see you enhance your capabilities and the reputation of WSP’s Mine Advisory team. You will collaborate with talented professionals working on iconic projects to drive future ready outcomes that will benefit clients and communities.

At WSP you’ll find the scale and reach you need to do the kind of work the world needs – and the culture and people that make it the best work of your life.

Our Mining Group

We have a global team of over 5,200 dedicated mining professionals are supporting the industry to decarbonise mining operations in the accelerating green transition. Working collaboratively across borders and disciplines, you’ll join a leading team working on interesting and complex projects. We are experts in our field, and we are passionate about mining. Our tailings engineers work on large-scale, world-class projects both in Australia and internationally. We are the tailings consultant of choice for several global mining companies, and our team works across the entire full lifecycle of tailings projects, from feasibility and site investigation through to design, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and closure.

What you’ll do:

As a Principal Tailings Engineer, you will play a key role in driving technical excellence, project strategy, and client partnerships. You’ll be trusted to provide expert geotechnical insight, contribute to high-level project delivery, and support the growth of WSP’s reputation as a leader in mine waste and tailings engineering.

• Technical direction of tailings design studies for multi-disciplinary projects locally and internationally.
• Interface, provide complex recommendations and conflict resolution with client leads and external subject matter experts.
• Support business development, proposals, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Manage risk in the design process associated with cost estimation for feasibility and detailed projects.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers within team.
• Develop solutions to meet client-based standards in addition to local and international guidelines.

About You

You’re a recognised technical specialist in tailings and mine waste engineering, with proven experience leading complex projects and advising clients at the highest level. You balance deep technical expertise with commercial acumen and strong communication skills. In addition, we are looking for;

• Bachelor Qualification in Civil, Geotechnical, Mining Engineering or similar.
• 15+ years of experience in tailings engineering, with demonstrated leadership in consulting and/or operations.
• Extensive knowledge of tailings design, governance, and risk management frameworks.
• In-depth understanding of local and international guidelines, best practice protocols and client based standards.
• A track record of influencing at senior client and stakeholder levels.
• Strong mentoring, leadership, and project management skills.
• Chartered status (CPEng, RPEQ, or equivalent).

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

At WSP, we’re proud to say you'll be joining a team known for technical excellence, diverse project work, and a culture that values innovation, flexibility, and people-first leadership. We offer:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid options
• Access to technical leaders and industry experts
• Involvement in major national and international mining projects
• A workplace culture that values inclusion, innovation, and integrity
• Industry-leading training and mentorship and leadership development

Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. To find out more about our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our people, and the programs we’ve designed to help you thrive, go to our Employee Benefits page.

We value flexibility, and are happy for this role to be based in any of our major Mining Advisory hubs (Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle or Sydney).

With us, you can. Apply today.