Principal Engineer Geotechnical & Hydrology📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Ma’aden is seeking a Principal Engineer, Geotechnical & Hydrology to serve as the technical authority for ground stability and water management across the full project lifecycle. This role is critical for de-risking mining projects from geotechnical and hydrology perspectives, contributing to business cases through feasibility studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for geotechnical and hydrogeology disciplines, providing overall technical leadership.
• Define preliminary slope angles, ground conditions, groundwater/dewatering assumptions, and high-level tailings methodologies during strategic, business case, and scoping stages.
• Identify key risks, including slope instability, ground uncertainty, and water inflow/flooding, and support initial mine planning and cost assumptions.
• Lead geotechnical investigation programs and hydrogeological assessments during Preliminary Feasibility Studies (PFS).
• Develop preliminary slope design parameters, ground control concepts, dewatering strategies, water handling systems, and geotechnical/hydrology risk registers with mitigation plans.
• Contribute to mine design optimization and infrastructure development, including tailings storage facilities, plant sites, and waste dumps.
• Finalize slope design criteria, ground support systems, groundwater models, dewatering design, water balance, and management strategies during Feasibility Study (FS)/Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS).
• Define BFS-level design parameters, CAPEX/OPEX inputs, and risk mitigation measures.
• Coach and mentor personnel and support capability development within the organization.
• Ensure compliance with company and site-specific policies, standards, and procedures, recommending improvements as needed.
• Provide technical expertise across affiliates to support the effective implementation of Maaden standards.
• Support the development, interpretation, and continuous improvement of Maaden policies, standards, and procedures.
• Contribute to technical communications aligned with corporate standards.
• Support EHSS programs through KPI tracking and delivery of key program requirements.
• Ensure decision-ready outputs at each study stage, including on-time delivery, compliance, and quality of deliverables.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Mining Engineering, or Civil Engineering.
• Minimum of 20 years of experience in mining operations, project management, engineering, and laboratory environments related to hard rock geotechnical and hydrology.
• Project management experience is required.
• Knowledge of life-of-mine planning, including budgeting and metal planning.
• Familiarity with the ICMM – GISTM standard.
• Knowledge of safety requirements.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Generic Maaden behavioral competencies: Leadership, Achievement Drive, Communication, Teamwork & Collaboration, Analytical Thinking.
• Ability to present to and collaborate with corporate executives and the site Senior Leadership Team.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access).
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Frequent communication with all internal and external stakeholders regarding Geotechnical and Hydrology Engineering matters.
• The role requires championing change for improvement in all aspects of Geotechnical and Hydrology.
• Responsibility to deliver resource models in quality and timely manner through consultation with other functions.

Work Location and Type

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh.