Senior Rock Mechanics Engineer / Specialist
Musselwhite Mine
Are you looking to make your mark and grow your career with a company on the rise? We'd love to have you on our team!
Equinox Gold is a growth-focused gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, operating a diversified portfolio of high-quality, long-life mines across the Canada, United States, Mexico and Nicaragua. Guided by our core values of integrity, excellence, accountability, and teamwork, we foster a safe, inclusive, and rewarding workplace where a talented, experienced team works together to deliver reliable operations, responsible mining, and long-term value to its shareholders and host communities.
Build your career at Musselwhite - a proven, high-quality underground gold mine in Northwestern Ontario, joining our portfolio through the 2026 merger with Orla Mining. Operating since 1997, Musselwhite has produced more than six million ounces of gold and continues to deliver strong results. We're investing in modern, lower-emission equipment, tele-remote and autonomous technologies, and a structure that empowers our teams to make decisions faster. We're also proud of our long-standing First Nations partnerships, dating back to the 1992. Backed by the scale and growth ambitions of Equinox Gold, there's never been a better time to join our team.
Purpose:
We are recruiting a Senior Rock Mechanics Engineer to join our team. This site-based role will provide technical rock mechanics support to mine operations, contributing to safe and efficient mine development and production. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership and collaborate with cross-functional teams to effectively manage geotechnical risks and support operational objectives. This position reports to the Chief Rock Mechanics Engineer.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintain, implement, and continuously improve the site Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP), geotechnical standards, procedures, and TARPs.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance on rock mechanics and ground control matters to Operations, Engineering, Geology, and other site stakeholders.
- Conduct geotechnical investigations, inspections, and risk assessments, and develop appropriate mitigation strategies for identified ground control hazards.
- Conduct geotechnical assessments for new developments, production areas, mine infrastructure, and proposed changes to mine designs.
- Review and provide geotechnical recommendations for stope dimensions, pillar design, ground support requirements, mining sequence, and extraction strategies.
- Provide significant geotechnical input into short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans and production schedules, ensuring geotechnical risks are appropriately managed.
- Conduct and interpret numerical modelling to assess rock mass response to proposed mining activities and support mine design and sequencing decisions.
- Work closely with Mine Geology to develop, maintain, and update geotechnical and structural models based on mapping, drilling, testing, and operational observations.
- Lead the site ground control QA/QC program, ensuring ground support installations comply with approved designs, specifications, and site standards.
- Maintain, optimize, and expand the microseismic monitoring system, and analyze seismic data to support hazard assessment, mine planning, and operational decision-making.
- Monitor and assess the performance of stopes, pillars, excavations, ground support, and backfill, and incorporate lessons learned into future designs.
- Lead or support investigations of ground falls, significant seismic events, excessive dilution, and other geotechnical incidents, and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
- Support the design, optimization, and performance assessment of cemented rockfill (CRF) and identify continuous improvement opportunities within the Rock Mechanics function.
- Provide technical oversight, review, and mentorship within the Rock Mechanics team, including development of junior engineers, EITs, technicians, and students.
Education and Experience:
- B.Sc. Degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation in Ontario, or qualifications and experience that would support eligibility for P.Eng. licensure with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
- Knowledge of ground control instrumentations in supporting the safe mining operation would be an asset
- Project coordination and project costing experience would be an asset
- Proficiency in 3D numerical modelling computer software (Flac3D and Map3D)
- Familiarity with Deswik CAD would be advantageous
- Excellent communication skills (oral, written, listening)
- Facilitation and presentation skills
- Ability to positively interact with co-workers and team members with a diverse mix of cultures
Working Conditions:
- The work schedule for this position is 14 on,14 days off including travel to site, working 12-hour days.
Compensation:
- The salary for this position is $153,000 to $170,000 per year, depending on skills, experience, and qualifications.
- This role is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual short term incentive program. The target annual bonus for this position is insert 25% of base salary, subject to individual and company performance.
- The Company offers a Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), including an automatic 5% employer contribution, with the option for employees to receive up to an additional 4% employer match on employee contributions.
