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Job Description
Position Overview
Albemarle is seeking an experienced civil engineer with a background in dam design and/or mine water and geotechnical engineering to support the Kings Mountain Lithium Mine through all phases of design, permitting, construction, and operations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Hydraulic Engineering: hydrology, hydraulics, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control.
- Geotechnical Engineering: soil and rock characterization, slope stability analysis, and seepage modeling.
The role works closely with engineering, permitting, contractor, and operations teams to plan, evaluate, review, and oversee the design and construction of mine waste disposal facilities and surface water management infrastructure. Responsibilities include developing scopes of work, reviewing engineering analyses and deliverables prepared by external consultants, and supporting the development and implementation of operational and monitoring procedures.
This is a hybrid position. The successful candidate is expected to work at the mine site with the flexibility of working from home on a schedule.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the scope of work of engineering consultants and review civil design aspects related to mine waste and water management, including waste rock and tailings facilities, stormwater and wastewater containment and conveyance structures, grading plans, drainage systems, and erosion and sediment control measures across project design, construction/execution, and operations.
- Monitor consultant and contractor progress and assess compliance with project schedules, budgets, and objectives. Collaborate with the Project Controls team to identify and address potential risks to project delivery.
- Liaise with internal Subject Matter Experts and Project Teams to ensure project outcomes align with operational needs, project economics, industry good practice, safe engineering principles, environmental standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Review consultant and contractor deliverables to confirm alignment with approved scope, technical requirements, and internal Project Team expectations.
- Support preparation of internal project documentation, including stage-gate deliverables, regulatory submissions, and operational and safety documentation required for project execution.
- Oversee and facilitate field activities related to civil and environmental aspects of the project, including sampling, field verification, subsurface investigations, well installations, and test excavations. Coordinate with site teams, consultants, and contractors to obtain required authorizations, permits, and documentation, ensuring work is conducted safely and in accordance with Albemarle procedures. In some cases, directly collect field samples.
- Support the transition from project execution to operations by coordinating with Operations Teams to ensure facilities are handed over in a manner consistent with design intent and operational requirements.
Technical Competencies
The successful candidate should possess a working knowledge of the design and analytical engineering principles associated with the role including those listed below While detailed engineering design will generally be performed by external consultants, the candidate must be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of the associated analytical methodologies, tools, assumptions, and deliverables, and be capable of reviewing, interpreting, and applying the resulting engineering outputs.
- Mine Waste Facility Fundamentals:
Working knowledge of waste rock dumps, tailings storage facilities, heap leach pads, and associated containment structures, including common design approaches and failure modes. - Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Water Management:
Ability to review site water balances, runoff and diversion analyses, storm design criteria, and hydraulic systems such as channels, culverts, pipelines, ponds, and spillways. - Geotechnical and Seepage Concepts:
Familiarity with slope stability, foundation behavior, seepage control, liner systems, underdrainage, and internal erosion as applied to mine waste facilities. - Material Behavior and Deposition Methods:
Understanding of tailings and waste rock properties, deposition methods, consolidation, and drainage characteristics affecting stability and performance. - Water Quality and Contact Water Controls:
Ability to interpret water quality data and evaluate contact and non-contact water management and containment strategies. - Regulatory and Design Standards Awareness:
Familiarity with applicable permitting requirements, design criteria, and industry guidance governing mine waste and water facilities. - Construction, Monitoring, and Performance Review:
Understanding of construction methods, QA/QC, inspection and monitoring programs, and performance assessment of facilities. - Technical Review and Consultant Coordination:
Ability to critically review consultant reports, drawings, and calculations; identify technical gaps; and coordinate technical direction and feedback.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. in Civil Engineering with minimum 10 yrs experience in mining geotechnical, hydraulic, or stormwater design and construction.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Civil Engineering (NC or ability to obtain).
- Excellent technical writing and ability to review complex engineering documents and permit submittals.
- Effective communicator and collaborator across multidisciplinary teams and contractors.
Preferred Qualifications
- M.S. in Civil or Water Resources Engineering with a dam design, geotechnical or hydrology/hydraulics focus.
- Experience in mining waste and water management (stockpile, and tailings water management).
- Experience in climate impact assessment, long-term water balance.
- Experience developing budgets and managing capital projects for site mine waste and water facilities.
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Benefits of Joining Albemarle
We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.