Principal Engineer

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 a Principal Engineer to join the Vale Base Metals Geotechnical Team based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

This is a permanent, onsite position and requires travel as required.

As the Principal Engineer, you will play a critical technical leadership role in the design, implementation, and optimization of underground backfill systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient ore extraction. This role requires deep knowledge of mine design, geotechnical constraints, underground mining practices, and backfill technologies, including paste fill, hydraulic fill, and rock or aggregate fill.

You will collaborate closely with mine technical services, operations, safety, procurement, suppliers, and other stakeholders to coordinate backfill schedules, optimize system performance, support quality assurance and quality control practices, and ensure backfill systems are aligned with safety, production, quality, and regulatory requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced underground mining and backfill professional to influence mine stability, production performance, operational reliability, cost effectiveness, and continuous improvement across critical underground operations.

Backfill Strategy, Design & Technical Leadership:

Lead the technical direction and continuous improvement of underground backfill systems to support safe, efficient, and productive mining operations.

• Develop, implement, and optimize underground backfill systems, including paste fill, hydraulic fill, and rock or aggregate fill.
• Evaluate and approve engineering designs related to backfill systems.
• Partner with mine technical services and operations teams to coordinate backfill activities and integrate them into mine planning.
• Lead backfill-related projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide expert technical advice, consultation, and troubleshooting support.
• Establish and maintain specifications for backfill products, elements, and systems.
• Evaluate and approve new backfill products, designs, and technologies.
• Review, maintain, and update Backfill Management Plans.
• Support knowledge sharing, training, and development in backfill technologies and practices.

Operational Excellence, Risk Management & Quality Assurance

Ensure backfill systems operate safely, reliably, and in compliance with operational, quality, and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure all backfill practices comply with safety regulations, quality standards, and operational requirements.
• Conduct regular underground inspections to monitor system performance and address issues proactively.
• Implement and oversee Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) programs for backfill operations.
• Conduct investigations and peer reviews of major incidents, including backfill failures and plant system incidents.
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation related to inspections, designs, QA/QC activities, and operational performance.
• Monitor system effectiveness and support corrective actions to improve reliability, safety, and production outcomes.

About You

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Earth Sciences, or a related discipline.
• P.Eng. designation, or equivalent professional certification from Canada, Brazil, or another relevant jurisdiction, is preferred.

Experience:

• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience in underground mining, mine engineering, geotechnical engineering, backfill systems, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated experience with underground backfill design, implementation, system performance, QA/QC practices, operational execution, and continuous improvement.
• Experience working collaboratively with mine operations, technical services, safety teams, suppliers, procurement, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience leading technical projects, inspections, investigations, engineering reviews, or improvement initiatives within an underground mining environment.

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.

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.