Engineering Manager - SA

Position Summary

The Manager of Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership for all engineering functions supporting surface mining operations. This role ensures safe, compliant, and cost-effective mine planning and execution while advancing operational performance through modern engineering practices, technology, and talent development. The position serves as a key technical advisor to site and corporate leadership and acts as the primary interface with regulatory agencies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Engineering Leadership & Governance

• Lead and oversee all engineering, surveying, geological, and mine planning functions for the surface mining complex.

• Establish engineering standards, controls, and work processes aligned with company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Serve as the responsible Professional Engineer for required permits, plans, certifications, and regulatory submittals.

• Provide technical leadership for mine design, reserve development, and operational optimization initiatives.

• Mine Planning & Technical Support

• Develop and direct short-term, medium-term, and life-of-mine plans that optimize safety, productivity, reserve recovery, and cost performance.

• Oversee pit design, sequencing, haul road design, spoil placement, highwall management, drainage systems, sediment control structures, and material handling systems.

• Ensure accurate surveying, mapping, reserve estimation, and mine reconciliation in compliance with federal, state, and company standards.

• Responsible for refuse construction, planning, required submittals, inspections, and certifications where applicable.

• Direct the development and management of geologic information necessary to maintain customer coal quality requirements.

• Support operations through equipment productivity analysis, drill-and-blast planning, and production optimization.

• Regulatory, Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with MSHA, state mining agencies, environmental regulations, and permit requirements.

• Prepare and maintain mine permits, reclamation plans, drainage and sediment control plans, impoundment-related documentation, and other required regulatory submissions.

• Ensure compliance with mine permit conditions and oversee engineering support for reclamation activities.

• Maintain effective working relationships with regulatory agencies and external consultants.

• Support site safety initiatives and ensure engineering practices promote safe operating conditions.

• Financial & Strategic Planning

• Contribute to annual budgets, life-of-mine plans, and capital planning processes.

• Develop production, recovery, equipment, and cost projections.

• Evaluate reserves, equipment utilization, and operational performance to support strategic decisions.

• Assist with month-end closeout activities, including stockpile surveys, tonnage reconciliation, mapping updates, operational statistics, and landowner reporting requirements.

• Technology & Continuous Improvement

• Leverage modern mine planning, surveying, GPS, drone, geological modeling, and data management technologies to improve operational outcomes.

• Promote data-driven decision making and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and engineering best practices to enhance safety, productivity, and cost performance.

• People Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers, surveyors, geologists, environmental and technical staff.

• Build a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Support succession planning and talent development within the engineering organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mining Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive surface mining experience, including experience in mine planning and engineering.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) required.
• Surface Mine Foreman Certification preferred.
• MSHA-qualified impoundment inspector or ability to obtain required certification.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and resolve complex technical and operational issues.
• Demonstrated proficiency with mine planning, surveying, and design software such as AutoCAD, Carlson Mining, or equivalent platforms.
• Working knowledge of geologic modeling, reserve estimation, reclamation planning, environmental and mine permitting requirements.
• Ability to leverage GIS, digital mapping, drone survey, volumetric analysis, data management, and analytics tools to support operational and regulatory decision making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.