Title:  Chief Underground Geomechanical Engineer

Why You Should Apply for This Job  

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career. Apply Today!

Where You Will Work    

This position is initially based in Santiago, Chile for approximately 12–18 months, allowing the successful candidate to build familiarity with key operations and teams. Upon completion of this initial period, the role will transition into a permanent, full-time position in the United States, supporting ongoing business needs and long-term career development within the organization. 

What You Will Do

This position will oversee underground geotechnical aspects related to underground mine design, planning, and implementation. Includes excavation stability management, development design, production planning, underground excavation support design, stability monitoring, and will serve as resource for Geomechanical information and analysis.

• Perform critical review of technical reports, analyses, design plans, specifications, cost estimates and develop appropriate recommendations. Stay abreast of the state of the practice in geotechnical engineering to fulfill this role.
• Manage and review underground excavation stability, analysis and remedial work including underground excavation monitoring, data processing, rock strength parameters, and geologic structures.
• Develop, maintain, and implement strategic plans to promote safe execution of the mine designs and production plans.
• Manage projects and serve as subject matter expert (SME) on large/complex site planning/construction, expansion, or modifications. Provide guidance to site managers and engineers on applicable programs, practices, and regulations.

• Develop and review ground support designs for underground excavations to ensure a safe working environment based on relevant geological/geotechnical data and stress conditions using empirical (Q or RMR), kinematic (unWedge) and numerical (RS3, Map3) based analysis methods.
• Provide input and oversight related to the development, implementation, and monitoring of management plans and procedures related to corporate governance.
• Proactively seek improvements to the safe mining of mine reserves relating to underground excavation monitoring, underground excavation maintenance, underground excavation support designs, Geomechanical data acquisition and analyses.

• Manage and provide Geomechanical project oversight and review relating to outside consultants.
• Evaluate and administer contracts with vendors for the provision of services and equipment.
• Represent the site on company sponsored steering committees, task forces, or teams.

What You Bring To Freeport

• Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering/Geotechnical Engineering/Mining Engineering or related engineering discipline from an accredited curriculum, with courses in rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering and seven (7) years of experience in applicable field of expertise, including lead or supervisory experience; OR
• Master’s degree in Geological Engineering/Geotechnical Engineering/Mining Engineering or related engineering discipline from an accredited curriculum, with courses in rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering and five (5) years of experience in applicable field of expertise, including lead or supervisory experience
• Experience working as a Geomechanical/Geotechnical engineer at underground mining operations or as a consultant with extensive practical experience supporting underground mining operations.
• Knowledge in the principles and practices of mining, rock mechanics, geological, and/or geotechnical engineering or a related field of science or engineering
• Technical and analytical skills to undertake and review complex designs and mine plans.
• Experience in and knowledge of numerical modeling approaches to solving engineering challenges.
• Knowledge of appropriate software (MS Office, AutoCAD, and geotechnical analysis)
• Fluent in English.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to a diversely educated audience.
• Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety of yourself and others.
• Skilled in following safety practices and recognizing hazards.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally for at least 2 weeks every quarter.

Preferred Qualifications

• Field experience gained at an underground and preferably caving operation.
• Fifteen (15) years of experience in applicable field of expertise, including lead or supervisory experience
• Experience in rockmass characterization, interpretation of geotechnical lab tests, and engineering analysis.
• Project Management experience.
• Proficiency in using geotechnical software.