Senior Specialist, Geotechnical and Hydro

Senior Specialist Geotechnical Jobs in Solwezi – First Quantum Minerals

First Quantum Minerals invites experienced professionals to apply for the position of Senior Specialist, Geotechnical and Hydro, based in Solwezi, Northwestern Zambia. This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates seeking senior specialist geotechnical jobs in Solwezi to join a company that fosters independent thinking and innovative problem-solving through its distinct culture known as the “First Quantum Way.”

About the Role: Senior Specialist Geotechnical Jobs in Solwezi

The Senior Specialist will provide essential site-based geotechnical and tailings engineering support to strengthen the technical team. The focus will be on practical implementation, monitoring, construction follow-up, and coordination among site teams, consultants, contractors, and the Designer/Engineer of Record. This role is critical in ensuring the quality and continuity of geotechnical data used for planning, execution, and operational decision-making within the mining operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct routine geotechnical and tailings inspections, review monitoring data, and ensure timely follow-up of site actions.
• Assist with survey, geometry, and volumetric checks for tailings storage facilities, embankments, borrow areas, and related infrastructure.
• Compile and present monitoring data including piezometers, pond levels, rainfall, survey monuments, and deformation measurements.
• Support deposition planning, operating scenarios, and short-term site planning activities.
• Assist with construction monitoring, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) follow-up, drainage works, and earthworks tracking.
• Review technical drawings, reports, and consultant deliverables to identify actions, assumptions, risks, and follow-up items.
• Maintain action trackers, dashboards, site records, and document control registers.
• Support implementation of Operations Management System (OMS) requirements, Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs), design-change control, and risk-register updates.
• Coordinate effectively with operations, construction teams, surveyors, consultants, contractors, and Group technical support.
• Provide practical technical input to close site actions and maintain continuity between inspections, reporting, and execution.

Qualifications and Experience

• BTech, BEngTech, BSc, or BEng in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualifications in geotechnical engineering, tailings, mine waste, or water management are advantageous but not essential.
• Professional registration or progress toward registration is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in geotechnical engineering, tailings, mine waste, earthworks, water management, or mining infrastructure.
• Practical site experience with tailings storage facilities, embankments, construction monitoring, deposition planning, geotechnical investigations, or related mine infrastructure.
• Experience collaborating with site operations, survey teams, contractors, and external consultants.
• Familiarity with monitoring data review, QA/QC documentation, construction records, and technical reporting.
• Mining environment experience is preferred.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Proficiency or familiarity with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, GIS, Muk3D, Rocscience Slide2D, or similar software is beneficial.
• Understanding of tailings storage facility governance, OMS requirements, TARPs, design-change control, and risk registers.
• Strong Excel skills, including calculations, tracking tables, summaries, and charts.
• Ability to interpret survey surfaces, drawings, cross-sections, and perform volume calculations.
• Competence in organizing and interpreting monitoring data such as piezometers, pond levels, rainfall, and deformation measurements.
• Excellent technical writing and reporting skills with strong attention to detail and document control discipline.
• Practical field approach with a commitment to following up actions until completion.
• Effective coordination skills across multidisciplinary teams including operations, construction, consultants, and Group support.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• High safety and environmental awareness.

Operational Requirements

This full-time position is primarily site-based in Solwezi, supporting daily operational and technical needs. The role requires regular field presence and close coordination with operations and construction teams, alongside office-based technical tasks such as data compilation, report preparation, and action closure. While the initial focus is on Zambian operations, there may be opportunities to support other sites as required.

Why Join First Quantum Minerals?

At First Quantum, our culture empowers employees to think independently and challenge conventions to deliver exceptional results in extraordinary locations. Joining us means becoming part of a team that values bold, smart approaches to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Application Details

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by 31 July 2026. To submit your application for this exciting opportunity in senior specialist geotechnical jobs in Solwezi, please visit the official First Quantum Minerals careers page.