Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Alberta Oil Sands
Worley Consulting, the specialist consulting business of Worley, provides technical and advisory solutions across the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors. We deliver safe, high-quality work throughout the project lifecycle and seek experienced professionals who share our commitment to technical excellence, client service and sustainable project outcomes.
The
Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Alberta Oil Sands position is a full-time role based in
Calgary or Edmonton, AB within Worley Consulting's Geoscience Practice. The role will provide senior technical leadership for oil sands mining, tailings, mine infrastructure and industrial development projects across northern Alberta.
Our Geotechnical Engineering group is part of the Americas Geoscience service line and works with a global network of geotechnical, geological and geophysical professionals. In Alberta's oil sands, our teams support mine development and sustaining capital programs, tailings and water management facilities, earth structures, foundations, roads and haul infrastructure, pipelines and utilities, geohazard assessment, construction support and asset performance.
Total lifecycle expertise
Our expertise spans feasibility and options assessment, site investigation, basis of design, detailed engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, surveillance and closure. This lifecycle perspective helps identify geotechnical risks early and develop practical, constructible solutions suited to oil sands ground conditions and operating environments.
Integrated approach
You will work in integrated teams with mining, tailings, civil, structural, hydrotechnical, environmental, project delivery and construction professionals. The role provides a senior technical interface for clients and supports clear accountability, efficient decisions and coordinated delivery across complex, multidisciplinary oil sands projects.
Unrivalled industry knowledge
Our consultants bring deep industry knowledge in oil sands geology and geotechnical engineering, including glacial and post-glacial soils, muskeg and soft ground, Clearwater Formation and oil sands deposits, mine geotechnics, tailings and water-retaining structures, slope stability, seepage, foundations, ground improvement, winter construction and advanced numerical analysis.
Our Services Include
- Oil sands mine development, mine infrastructure and sustaining capital projects
- Tailings and water management facilities, dams, dykes, berms and containment structures
- Open-pit mine geotechnics, slope design, pit walls and reclamation or closure earthworks
- Industrial facilities, foundations, earthworks, roads, haul roads, pipelines and utilities
- Geotechnical site characterization, construction support, instrumentation and performance monitoring
Who You Would Work With
Our Geotechnical Engineering Practice is seeking a recognized senior practitioner with strong technical leadership, client relationship and business development capabilities. You will collaborate with oil sands operators, multidisciplinary project teams, contractors and regulators, while mentoring geotechnical professionals and helping grow our Alberta oil sands practice.
What We Expect Of You
Overall Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities
- Provide technical leadership, mentorship, coaching and career development support to junior, intermediate and senior geotechnical staff
- Act as a senior technical authority and reviewer for complex geotechnical analyses, designs, reports, drawings, specifications and construction deliverables
- Lead and support business development activities, including client engagement, opportunity development, presentations, negotiations, proposals and scope or fee preparation
- Work with Practice and Project leadership to plan resources, build capable teams and coordinate delivery across concurrent oil sands assignments
- Champion Worley zero-harm expectations and integrate safety in design, field programs, construction support and operational recommendations
- Establish and maintain technical quality, design assurance and consistency for geotechnical deliverables, including independent review and risk-based checking
- Lead geotechnical scopes from desktop study and field investigation through analysis, design and construction support. Typical work includes borehole and in-situ investigation programs, laboratory testing, geotechnical models, slope stability, seepage and deformation analyses, foundations, earthworks, ground improvement, mine infrastructure, tailings or water-retaining earth structures, instrumentation and observational-method approaches
- Develop practical recommendations for oil sands ground conditions, including soil and rock parameters, mine slopes, dykes and berms, shallow and deep foundations, settlement, frost and permafrost considerations, dewatering, seismic loading, trafficability, constructability and staged development
- Prepare and approve technical reports and proposals; lead technical workshops, design reviews and client meetings; and communicate complex geotechnical risks and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Collaborate with mining, tailings, civil, structural, hydrotechnical, environmental, construction and project delivery teams on existing and new Worley projects, and provide senior support during field execution and construction
Required Qualifications
What you bring to the team
- Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geological or Geotechnical Engineering from an accredited institution; a master's degree in geotechnical engineering is an asset
- Registered, or eligible for registration, as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA
- A minimum of 10 to 15 or more years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, including substantial recent experience supporting Alberta oil sands mining, tailings, mine infrastructure or industrial development projects
- Demonstrated knowledge of northern Alberta oil sands geology, geotechnical conditions, climate and construction practices, with experience working for or consulting to oil sands operators
- Advanced capability in geotechnical site characterization and engineering analysis, with the ability to select fit-for-purpose methods and provide defensible design recommendations
- Excellent English communication skills, including preparation and review of clear technical reports, design memoranda, proposals and executive-level presentations
- Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to lead complex scopes, manage priorities and coordinate multidisciplinary contributors
- Demonstrated success building trusted client relationships and providing senior technical advice in a consulting or owner-engineering environment
- Experience developing scopes, execution plans, schedules, fees, engineering estimates and commercial proposals for geotechnical work
- Demonstrated ability to plan and supervise field investigations, direct analyses and design, provide construction support, and mentor developing professionals
- Strong commercial and project delivery acumen, including scope and change management, contract awareness, workshare, forecasting, invoicing and cash collection
- Collaborative, accountable and adaptable leadership style, with willingness to travel to oil sands sites and perform field or construction support when required
Preferred Experience / Qualifications
- Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related discipline
- Additional professional registrations in other Canadian jurisdictions are an asset
- 15 or more years of geotechnical experience, with a strong record of technical leadership on major Alberta oil sands projects
- Experience serving as geotechnical discipline lead, design authority, engineer of record or senior independent reviewer on large, multidisciplinary projects
- Experience planning and executing major site investigations, field trials, instrumentation programs and observational method designs in remote or operating oil sands environments
- Specialized experience in one or more of the following: mine geotechnics; tailings and water-retaining structures; dam safety; earth structures; industrial foundations; soft-ground engineering; ground improvement; closure and reclamation; or geotechnical risk management
- Experience with seepage, slope stability, settlement, soil-structure interaction or finite-element analysis using industry-standard geotechnical software
- Northern climate engineering and construction experience, including frost, seasonal access, winter earthworks and remote field logistics
- Working knowledge of Canadian and Alberta regulatory requirements, dam safety guidance, quality management systems and project controls applicable to oil sands work
- Supervisory, project management, technical governance and commercial management experience, together with an established network in the Alberta oil sands sector
Compensation
Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, relevant years of experience, geographic location, internal pay equity and prevailing market conditions for the specific role.
Apply today
Bring your geotechnical expertise in Alberta’s oil sands sector to a role where you can influence complex projects, build trusted customer relationships and help develop the next generation of technical talent.
Join Worley Consulting and help deliver practical, high-quality engineering solutions that strengthen safety, project performance and sustainable outcomes for our customers.
About Us
Worley is a global company of energy, chemicals and resources experts headquartered in Australia. We partner with our customers to deliver projects and create value across the life of their assets. We specialize in consulting, engineering, procurement and construction across the project lifecycle, with services extending through to operations and decommissioning. Leveraging extensive experience and AI-enabled delivery, we support customers in navigating complexity as they meet today’s needs and transition to more sustainable solutions. Join us and help drive innovation and sustainability in our projects.
Moving forward together
We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. So, our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection and innovation. We’re building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. Creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard.
And we’re not just talking about it; we’re doing it. We’re reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today’s low carbon energy infrastructure and technology. Whatever your ambition, there’s a path for you here. And there’s no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.
