Engineer - Ground Control

Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is transforming the future?

Who We Are

We are Vale Base Metals – a global supplier of the critical minerals transforming the future.

With industry-leading reserves of copper and nickel in Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, and state-of-the-art infrastructure in the U.K., Canada, and Japan, VBM delivers a secure and responsible supply of high-quality products to customers across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Global demand for critical minerals is growing exponentially. From energy to aerospace, batteries to magnets, robotics to artificial intelligence, a secure and responsible supply of critical minerals is fundamental to power modern technologies. And at Vale Base Metals, we are transforming our business to provide a secure and responsible supply of these minerals.

Join our diverse team of 13,000 talented individuals committed to providing mineral security to a world in transition. We invite you to put your skills to work, driving meaningful and enduring change while enjoying a rewarding career.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking an Engineer, Geomechanics to join the Vale Base Metals CTO Geotechnical Office’s Geomechanics Studies team based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. This is a permanent position reporting to the Sr. Manager, Geomechanics Studies – Mining Geotechnical, Vale Base Metals (VBM). The role falls under the CTO’s Mining & Geotech group, and collaborates closely with technical specialists in mine planning, geology, hydrogeology, project teams, and site operations to support strategic studies, project development, and operational excellence across our mining assets.

As the Engineer, Geomechanics, you’ll undertake various studies using empirical, analytical, and numerical modelling tools to support robust Life of Mine (LOM) plans for Vale’s assets located in both Canada and Brazil. You will work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary technical studies and operations teams to meet safety and regulatory standards. In role, you will be part of a specialist team that delivers advanced geomechanics analyses, technical reviews, study plans, and will assist in communicating findings and risk mitigation strategies for improving the safety and profitability of our VBM assets.

Key Accountabilities:

• Perform geomechanics analyses and excavation designs supporting LOM plans, studies, and operational decision‑making.
• Develop and maintain geomechanical models and databases by integrating multi-disciplinary datasets (laboratory and field geomechanical, geological, structural, seismic, hydrogeological) and identify data gaps to guide additional data collection programs.
• Support core logging, rock mass characterization and sample collection for laboratory testing.
• Apply geomechanical design principles and acceptance criteria to mining method selection, stope and pillar design, pit slope design, sequencing, and layout optimization for underground and open pit operations.
• Assist with the assessment of geotechnical and seismic risks of LOM plans and annual mine execution plans, and identify mitigation measures in compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Assist in the development and implementation of Ground Control Management Plans, Seismic Risk Management Plans, and Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs).
• Participate in geotechnical investigations and provide technical support to operations during audits and review processes.
• Assist with the development of geotechnical monitoring strategies, the installation and performance of monitoring systems, and the interpretation of monitoring data to proactively manage stability risks.
• Prepare clear technical reports and presentations to communicate findings to study teams, operational teams and senior stakeholders.
• Provide operational and on‑call technical support as required.
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About You

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Geological, Mining, Civil, or a related engineering discipline is required.
• Must be either registered or eligible to register as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Canada.

Experience:

• 4-7 years of relevant geotechnical experience.

Skills:

• Experience with empirical, analytical and numerical geomechanics methods and tools (e.g., Rocscience RS2/RS3 and Slide, Itasca FLAC/3DEC, Map3D), applied to underground and open pit mining.
• Strong knowledge of rock mechanics, seismicity, rock mass classification systems, geotechnical investigations, and laboratory testing methods.
• Solid understanding of underground and surface geotechnical mine design principles, ground control, geology, hydrogeology, and mining operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to produce concise technical documents and develop relationships across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Self-starter with sound analytical judgment, with the ability to prioritize competing technical and operational demands.
• Programming and scripting (e.g., Python) applied to rock engineering and numerical modelling considered an asset.
• Experience with industry‑standard software related to mine planning (e.g., Deswik), geological modelling (e.g., Leapfrog), and geotechnical monitoring tools is considered an asset.

What We Offer You

• Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
• Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
• Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental)
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Virtual Healthcare online
• Online training and career development opportunities

Why Sudbury

Greater Sudbury is a vibrant city in northeastern Ontario, renowned for its rich mining history and significant role in Canada's mineral production. The city sits atop one of the world's largest and oldest meteorite impact sites, the Sudbury Basin, which is exceptionally rich in nickel, copper, and other critical minerals that are needed for the green economy. The mining sector is a cornerstone of Sudbury's economy, driving both employment and economic growth, and Vale Base Metals plays a pivotal role in this regard. Our commitment to the community is as deep as our mines.

Include to Transform

At Vale Base Metals, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive work environment where people can act like owners, being their authentic selves and empowering them to deliver results. Vale Base Metals encourages everyone to express their ideas and opinions and values the plurality of individual profiles. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are critical to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal consideration that makes us different.

Vale is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across our operations and improve equal opportunity at Vale and in the mining industry.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.

Vale uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position.

Pay Grade: F6T  

Apply by: Nov, 13, 2026

Minimum Starting Salary: CAD 84,000

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