Principal Rock Mechanics Engineer - Underground & Mass Mining

Job Description

What if you could redefine what's possible? With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it. We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers. With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions. We are pathfinders and impact makers. We are Visioneers. We are WSP.

The Opportunity

Innovate and Lead - In this role, you will be at the forefront of complex underground mining challenges, helping clients understand rock behaviour and make safer, more reliable mine-design decisions.

Translate complex geomechanics into practical mine designs. As a Principal Rock Mechanics Engineer - Underground and Mass Mining, you will provide senior technical leadership on deep, high-stress and mass-mining projects in Canada and internationally. You will lead rock mechanics work across early-stage studies, feasibility, detailed design and operating-mine support, with a focus on underground geomechanics, numerical modelling, rock mass characterization, ground support and mining-induced seismicity. You will work closely with mining engineers, geologists and multidisciplinary project teams to integrate geotechnical considerations into mine layouts, infrastructure, sequencing and operational decisions. You will also mentor developing professionals, strengthen technical practices and build trusted relationships with clients.

Your Impact

• Lead underground rock mechanics and geotechnical studies for deep, high-stress, and mass-mining projects, delivering technically sound and practical outcomes.
• Develop geotechnical design criteria for mine development, production areas, major excavations, and critical underground infrastructure.
• Direct complex numerical modelling programs to evaluate excavation stability, stress interactions, sequencing strategies, subsidence, and ground response.
• Assess rockburst potential, seismicity, brittle rock behaviour , spalling, and squeezing conditions, translating findings into effective risk-management strategies.
• Guide the development of ground-support systems, rehabilitation programs, monitoring approaches, and Ground Control Management Plans.
• Integrate geotechnical recommendations into mining-method selection, mine layouts, infrastructure design, sequencing, and operational planning.
• Provide technical leadership on multidisciplinary studies and projects while mentoring engineers and geoscientists and strengthening technical practices.
• Build trusted client relationships by delivering clear guidance, sound judgment, and innovative solutions to complex underground mining challenges.

The Skills That Set You Apart

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering , Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in mining rock mechanics or geotechnical engineering supporting underground mine studies, design, and/or operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in deep and high-stress underground mining environments, including rock mass characterization, excavation stability, and ground-support design.
• Advanced capability with numerical modelling tools such as FLAC3D or equivalent continuum and discontinuum modelling software.
• Experience integrating geotechnical recommendations into mining methods, mine layouts, infrastructure design, production sequencing, and operational decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical assignments, review deliverables, and effectively communicate geotechnical risk to clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience with block cave, panel cave, or sub-level cave mining projects is strongly preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel to mine sites and client locations, including international destinations, as project requirements demand.

Why Choose WSP?

We exist to shape communities to advance humanity. The brightest engineers, advisors and scientists from across the globe call WSP home.

• Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026
• A global community of brilliant minds – your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it's across the country or around the globe, we'll help you tailor your role to match your ambition—because your growth drives ours.
• Flexible work, real balance – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

Compensation

• Starting from $200,880 annually.

Disclosure: The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Shape the future of underground mining

Bring technical depth, practical judgment and leadership to the complex geomechanics challenges that define deep and mass mining. Help clients turn rock behaviour into safer, more reliable and buildable mine designs.

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity. It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers. As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here. Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits). WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted. WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here.