Underground Chief Mine Engineer

Job Summary

Our Company team is seeking an experienced Underground Chief Mine Engineer to lead the underground tech services group comprising of mine engineers, planners, surveyors, ventilation engineers, and technical technicians for the Underground Mine. Reporting to the UG Technical Services Manager, you will ensure that the mine’s long-hope stoping mining method is designed, scheduled, and executed safely and profitably. This role will also act as the primary technical liaison between operations, geology, and management. The underground is currently in its early development stages and now transitioning from exploration development to capital development. This is a great opportunity for a motivated individual to build the foundation for the underground mining engineering group, standards, and procedures that will be used for the life of mine.

Essential Functions

• Mine Planning & Design
  
  

Develop and oversee short, mid, and long range mine plans for a long hole stoping operation using paste backfill and cemented rockfill. Approve stope designs, drill patterns, sequencing, and ground support strategies. Ensure backfill requirements (strength, timing, curing windows) are integrated into the mine schedule. Optimize stope sequencing to balance geotechnical stability, ventilation constraints, and production targets

• Technical Leadership & Team Management
  
  

Lead, mentor, and develop mine engineers, surveyors, and technical staff. Foster a collaborative environment between engineering and operations, emphasizing problem solving and continuous improvement. Set technical standards, review engineering work, and ensure quality control across all engineering deliverables.

• Operational Support
  
  

Provide real time technical guidance to underground operations, including drilling, blasting, backfilling, and ground support installation. Troubleshoot stope performance issues (dilution, overbreak, paste delivery, drilling accuracy). Coordinate with maintenance, backfill plant personnel, and production supervisors to ensure alignment with engineering plans

• Safety, Regulatory, and Environmental Compliance
  
  

Ensure all engineering designs comply with MSHA regulations and Nevada state mining requirements. Support and reinforce site Health & Safety Management Systems and environmental compliance programs. Lead risk assessments for new stopes, mining methods, or ground conditions.

• Backfill & Geotechnical Integration
  
  

Work closely with geotechnical engineers to ensure stope stability, pillar design, and sequencing meet safety and production needs. Oversee paste backfill and CRF design parameters, QA/QC, and scheduling to maintain mine stability and minimize dilution.

• Budgeting & Project Management
  
  

Manage engineering department budgets, staffing, and capital project planning. Lead or support underground capital projects (ventilation upgrades, dewatering systems, new development headings, backfill plant improvements). Evaluate and justify new technologies, equipment, or software to improve efficiency.

• Data Management & Reporting
  
  

Oversee production reporting, stope reconciliation, and variance analysis. Ensure accurate survey control, mine modeling, and engineering databases. Present engineering updates to senior leadership and contribute to life of mine planning.

Qualifications And Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or related field
• 8-15 years of experience in underground hard-rock mining experience, with significant exposure to long-hole stoping
• Demonstrated experience with paste backfill and CRF operations
• Prior leadership or superintendent-level experience in technical services
• Proficient in mine planning software – Deswik experience required
• Knowledge of MSHA regulations and site safety practices
• Proficient in Microsoft Software
• Strong understanding of geotechnical principles, stope design, and backfill engineering
• Familiarity with ventilation modeling, survey practices, and underground infrastructure design
• Strong communication and cross-departmental coordination abilities
• Ability to coach and mentor engineers at various experience levels
• Strategic thinking with a focus on safety, efficiency, and long-term value creation
• Requires a valid driver’s license.