Chief Mine Engineer

Department: Project & Engineering

Location: Saskatoon Office

Description

This is a career-defining opportunity for an experienced and technically accomplished mining professional to join one of Canada's most significant new uranium developments as Chief Mine Engineer - Underground Operations.

Reporting to the Mine Engineering Manager, the Chief Mine Engineer will provide leadership for all underground mine technical services functions as Patterson Lake South (PLS) advances through detailed engineering, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing the technical framework that will underpin the safe, efficient, and profitable extraction of one of the world's highest-grade uranium deposits.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will oversee underground mine design, mine planning, scheduling, geotechnical integration, ventilation planning, ground control strategies, infrastructure planning, and operational readiness activities. Working closely with geology, geotechnical, construction, projects, operations, environment, radiation protection, and regulatory teams, you will ensure that the underground mining strategy is optimized to achieve production, safety, and cost objectives.

This position offers the unique opportunity to influence major technical decisions during the development of a world-class underground uranium operation in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. Few opportunities exist to establish the engineering standards, systems, and team that will support a new mine from construction through production and beyond.

As the project progresses toward first production, you will help shape the future mining operation through leadership of underground mine design, development sequencing, production planning, infrastructure requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives. You will build and lead a high-performing technical services team while contributing directly to the long-term success of Paladin Canada's flagship uranium project.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Underground Technical Services function for the PLS Project, including mine planning, mine design, ventilation, geotechnical integration, and production engineering.
• Oversee and coordinate multiple subconsultants and subcontractors in the development of the PLS project.
• Develop and maintain Life of Mine (LOM) plans, strategic mine plans, annual budgets, and rolling production forecasts.
• Oversee development and optimization of underground mining methods.
• Oversee the development of detailed mine design activities including declines, shafts, access development, production areas, ventilation services, and underground facilities.
• Establish and maintain short, medium, and long-term mine schedules aligned with project and operational objectives.
• Provide technical leadership for underground development, production sequencing, backfill planning, ventilation systems, ground freezing and infrastructure planning.
• Coordinate closely with geology and geotechnical teams to optimize mine designs.
• Lead geotechnical and ground control strategy implementation, ensuring designs meet safety and operational requirements.
• Establish mining operating standards, procedures, planning systems, and engineering governance processes.
• Support operational readiness activities including workforce planning, equipment selection, training systems, and commissioning plans.
• Manage underground mining studies, trade-off analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical support for regulatory submissions, permits, environmental assessments, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, budget submissions, and recommendations for executive leadership.
• Foster a strong safety culture and ensure engineering practices comply with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation and eligibility to practice in Saskatchewan.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive underground mining experience, with significant exposure to technical services leadership roles.
• Experience in uranium, hard rock, or other underground mining operations is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing Life of Mine plans, mine designs, production schedules, and underground infrastructure strategies.
• Strong understanding of mine planning software (Deswik preferred).
• Experience with underground development, ventilation planning, geotechnical design, and production engineering.
• Experience supporting mine construction, commissioning, and operational readiness activities is considered a significant asset.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, capital planning, operating costs, and business improvement processes.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a rapidly evolving project environment and contribute to broader site leadership objectives.
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and annual incentive program.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health and dental coverage, a health spending account, and an RRSP matching program.
• Opportunity to grow your career with a growing company as we advance a major Saskatchewan mining project.
• Collaborative, supportive, and safety-focused culture where your contributions are valued.
• Meaningful work supporting Indigenous and community relationships across Saskatchewan.
• Contribute to the development of one of Saskatchewan's future mining operations.
  

Equal Employment Opportunity

Paladin is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of our communities. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.