Senior, Forward Deployed Engineer

Job description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Job title: Senior, Forward Deployed Engineer

Site: Kansanshi Mining PLC.

Department:  IT & Digital

Section: Business Applications & Project Delivery

Position reports to: Superintendent, Business Applications & Project Delivery

Purpose

The Senior Forward Deployed Engineer works alongside the business to identify opportunities and deliver digital solutions that create operational value across the mine value chain. Combining business analysis, solution architecture, data and integrations, AI, and software engineering, the role engages stakeholders to understand problems and requirements, translates operational needs into scalable, supportable and secure designs, connects systems and turns data into trusted business assets, and applies AI and modern software engineering to build, deploy and support digital products, in alignment with architectural standards and best practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Business Analysis

• Engage stakeholders across operations and IT to understand challenges, surface opportunities, and elicit and manage clear, prioritised requirements.
• Analyse and map business processes to translate operational needs into practical digital solutions that improve how work gets done.
• Drive change and adoption while tracking value and benefits realisation to ensure solutions deliver measurable operational outcomes.

2. Solution Architecture

• Design scalable, supportable and secure solutions that align with enterprise architecture standards and the site’s technology landscape.
• Evaluate technologies and platforms, making informed reuse, buy or build decisions that balance capability, cost and long-term supportability.
• Define security and integration architectures that protect data and connect systems reliably across the enterprise.

3. Data & Integrations

• Build and maintain data pipelines and integrations that connect business and operational technology systems and keep data flowing reliably.
• Apply strong data engineering and database skills to model, store and transform data into trusted, well-governed business assets.
• Deliver analytics that turn operational data into actionable insight for decision-making across the value chain.

4. AI Solutions

• Apply generative AI and machine learning to improve productivity, decision quality and operational performance.
• Develop and deploy AI and knowledge-engineering solutions grounded in trusted enterprise data and domain knowledge.
• Champion responsible AI practices and measure value delivery to ensure solutions are safe, ethical and beneficial.

5. Software Engineering

• Build, deploy and support digital products that solve real business problems and create operational value.
• Apply sound software design, coding standards and quality engineering to deliver reliable, maintainable applications.
• Use DevOps practices and modern platforms to automate delivery and ensure secure, stable operation in production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, information systems
• Masters will be an added Advantage.
• All academic qualifications and results must be verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ hands-on experience in solution design and delivery as an implementation consultant, developer or solution architect across a range of platforms.
• Business/systems analyst or developer background, with proven ability to elicit requirements, map processes and translate operational needs into practical solutions.
• Open-pit mining experience and knowledge of mining and resources applications – fleet management, process/smelter, safety and data-collection systems – an advantage.
• Ability to design scalable, supportable and secure solutions aligned to enterprise architecture standards, with sound reuse, buy or build decision-making.
• Strong data engineering skills across databases, SQL and system integration, with good understanding of data governance and trusted data assets.
• Experience delivering analytics and applying AI or machine learning, including generative AI, with awareness of responsible AI practices.
• Proficiency in multiple languages (C#, Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), with strong knowledge of SOLID principles, design patterns and manual/automated testing.
• Experience with Git, JIRA, DevOps and CI/CD pipelines, and with Agile delivery, UX and design-thinking methods, backed by strong problem-solving skills.
• Commercial awareness, vendor negotiation, leadership and project-planning skills; member of ICTAZ or EIZ.

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Understands mining operations and applies product thinking to solve real business problems.
• Breaks down complex problems using structured, systems-level thinking.
• Makes sound, pragmatic decisions under ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Delivers iteratively through agile methods with an innovation and continuous-learning mindset.
• Communicates clearly through strong technical writing and presentation skills.
• Influences stakeholders and engages vendors effectively to drive outcomes.