Underground Engineer (Hard Rock)

Company Description

RESPEC, is seeking a motivated and talented mining, geotechnical, or geological engineer in our Mining & Engineering business unit in our Rapid City, SD, or Lexington, KY, office.

Founded in 1969, RESPEC is a global, 100 percent employee-owned consulting and services company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges for private and public clients. Operating in 14 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces, with influence extending to 50 countries worldwide, RESPEC is a leader in water, mining, energy, natural resources, and infrastructure services. Our six market sectors—Mining & Energy, Water, Facilities, Transportation, Development Services, and Data & Technology—reflect our expertise and commitment to excellence. At RESPEC, we thrive on collaboration and partnership, applying advanced technology to achieve sustainable solutions and drive our projects forward. We are deeply invested in our employees’ success and well-being, fostering a supportive and innovative work environment where everyone can grow and contribute meaningfully. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our contributions to local communities and strategic alliances worldwide, ensuring that we continue to inspire and innovate in rapidly evolving technical environments.

Job Description

This position requires expertise in engineering and geology principles to successfully support a range of underground geotechnical projects. This position is focused on underground mine geomechanics. Strong observational and critical thinking skills will be required daily, and successful candidate must be willing to travel for field work on a regular basis.

Typical project roles for this position include:

1. Ground control and condition inspections for metal and non-metal mines.
2. Preparation of rock core sampling and geomechanical testing plans.
3. Rock mass characterization and the development of geomechanical models.
4. Analysis and interpretation of empirical (e.g., S-Pillar) and numerical (e.g., FLAC3D) stability models.
5. Preparation of ground control and stabilization plans.
6. Advanced technical report writing in accordance with International and US Standards (e.g., SK-1300).

The successful candidate will support senior staff with the development and execution of a wide range of geotechnical projects involving underground mines in the Metals, Construction Materials, and Industrial Minerals industries. The ability to support and deliver on multiple projects simultaneously is a must. This position is technically challenging and provides unique opportunities for continued professional and personal growth in a growing company. The successful candidate will join an internationally renowned engineering team that is at the forefront of the mining geotechnics community and is committed to providing value-added services. Our employee-focused culture provides the support and flexibility for employees to attain professional and personal goals.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters.

Qualifications

Candidates must have the following:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mining, geotechnical, or geological engineering or a closely related discipline
• 1-5 years of experience that includes field work related to geomechanics
• Strong technical background in core logging, sampling, and testing and underground rock mechanics
• Ability to plan and conduct field inspections and geotechnical investigations in remote locations
• Familiarity with ground support plans and typical stabilization measures
• Familiarity with common empirical and numerical stability modeling methods and software.

Additional preferred qualifications include the following:

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure
• Current Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Certification
• Operational experience in underground stone and/or other brittle-rock mines
• Technical expertise in underground stability analysis, modeling, and interpretation
• Familiarity with stability related instrumentation and monitoring methods.

Additional Information

Compensation: Salary depends on experience and expertise. Compensation includes a comprehensive fringe-benefits package. RESPEC is a 100% employee-owned company and employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) after a qualifying period.

Featured benefits include:

• Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) & ESOP (with company match up to 4%)
• Professional Development and Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.