Lead Geotechnical Engineer

Donlin Gold is recruiting a Lead Geotechnical Engineer for one of the world's largest undeveloped gold deposits, owned and operated by Donlin Gold LLC, which is owned by affiliates of NOVAGOLD Resources and Paulson Advisers LLC. Donlin Gold is designed to be one of just a handful of gold mines worldwide that produces more than one million ounces of gold annually.

Post Description:

Reporting to the General Manager, the Lead Geotechnical Engineer primary responsibility will include projects involving dams and hydraulic structures, in addition to occasionally supporting other areas of the project involving ports, transportation infrastructure, mining, and the environment. Donlin Gold is currently permitting seven dam/water retention structures through the Alaska Dam Safety Coordinators Office. This role will have a strong emphasis on dam safety, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices in geotechnical engineering. Additionally, the successful candidate will take on a technical lead or a subject matter expert role, collaborating with engineers, technical staff, ITRB, State, and contractors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Handling relevant assignments by coordinating with the professionals and technical teams allocated to the project.


• Preparing and drafting technical reports and calculation notes for a variety of projects including geotechnical investigations, dam safety studies, post-construction behavior studies and monitoring, slope stability, geotechnical consulting services.


• Carrying out feasibility and preliminary design studies, detailed studies, geotechnical design, plans and quotes, technical support throughout the works.


• Conducting geotechnical assessments focused on dam safety, including stability analyses, seepage assessments, and foundation evaluations.


• Ensuring regulatory compliance and adherence to dam safety standards and guidelines.


• Leading dam safety review processes and contributing to risk assessments.


• Providing technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technical staff.


• Supervising contractors, engineers, and technicians.


• Interpreting and analyzing geotechnical data to establish engineering properties of materials and foundation recommendations.


• Completing geotechnical engineering analyses including seepage, slope stability, bearing capacity, settlement, and rotational stiffness.


• Interacting with independent technical review board.


• Willingness to travel to support project needs.


• Other related tasks required to ensure project success.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, specializing in Geotechnical Engineering,


• PE or eligible,


• A minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience with dam safety evaluations, geotechnical risk assessments, and foundation analysis for hydraulic structures,


• Leadership experience in either technical management or subject matter expert capacity, with a track record of mentoring and guiding teams.


• Broad knowledge of and experience with civil engineering and design codes, standards, guidelines, and best practices to complete complex dam evaluation, design, and construction projects.


• Experience with established dam safety programs including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Part 12 dam safety program requirements (engineering guidelines, supporting technical information documents (STIDs), probable maximum precipitation (PMP)/probable maximum flood (PMF), emergency action plans (EAPs), potential failure modes analyses (PFMAs), dam safety surveillance monitoring plans (DSSMPs), Owner's Dam Safety Program (ODSP), risk-informed decision making (RIDM), etc.), or similar dams safety programs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency.


• Facilitation experience with PFMAs/failure modes and effects analyses (FMEAs).


• Experience performing probability and consequence analysis for qualitative risk assessments.


• Strong oral and written communication skills.


• Computer skills, including word processing and spreadsheet creation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering.


• 20+ years’ relevant experience preferred.


• Experience in tailings and water dam safety assessments and compliance with regulatory requirements.


• Strong report-writing skills.


• Good knowledge of spoken and written English.


• Proficiency in GeoStudio software.


• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.


• Computer skills and work experience in statistical analysis software or risk analysis software (@Risk or similar).


• Valid driver’s license.

This position is based in the Anchorage office, and the selected candidate must be willing to travel to visit contractors and conduct site visits, especially during construction. A post-offer criminal background clearance, physical and drug screening are required. Open until filled.