Senior/Principal Surface Water Specialist (Mining-Focused)
Senior / Principal Surface Water Engineer - Mining
Location: Australia (Flexible / Hybrid / Remote options considered)
Discipline: Mining & Resources | Surface Water | Hydrology & Hydraulics
Level: Senior Engineer / Principal Engineer
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior or Principal Surface Water Engineer specialising in mining to lead and deliver surface water and mine water management solutions across major mining and resources projects in Australia.
This role will suit an experienced water engineer with strong technical capability in hydrology, hydraulics, surface water management and drainage for mine sites, combined with the ability to provide technical leadership, manage complex projects, and engage confidently with clients, regulators, and multidisciplinary teams.
You will work across the full mine lifecycle, including studies, approvals, design, operations and closure, supporting open‑cut and (where applicable) underground operations across a range of commodities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver surface water and mine water management scopes for mining projects, including:
- Flood risk assessments and drainage design
- Mine water management plans and water balances
- Erosion and sediment control strategies
- Water quality and regulatory compliance assessments
- Develop, run and review hydrological and hydraulic models (1D and 2D), including flood modelling and catchment analysis
- Prepare and review high‑quality technical reports, approval documentation and detailed design packages
- Provide technical leadership, governance and quality assurance across projects
- Work closely with mining, geotechnical, environmental and planning teams to deliver integrated solutions
- Support project delivery through all phases, from early studies to construction, operations and closure
- Mentor and develop junior and mid‑level engineers
- At Principal level: contribute to business development activities, proposals, client strategy and technical leadership across portfolios
About You
Essential:
- Degree in Civil, Environmental, Water or Mining Engineering
- 8+ years' experience (Senior) or 12+ years' experience (Principal) in surface water or water resources engineering within the mining or resources sector
- Strong experience in mine surface water management, drainage design and flood risk assessment
- Proven capability with hydrological and hydraulic modelling software (e.g. TUFLOW, HEC‑RAS, RORB, XP‑RAFTS, WBMN, MUSIC, DRAINS or similar)
- Solid understanding of Australian regulatory and approval frameworks relevant to mining
- Experience delivering work in a consulting or technical advisory environment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with multidisciplinary teams
Desirable:
- Experience across multiple commodities (e.g. coal, iron ore, lithium, base metals)
- Exposure to mine closure, rehabilitation and long‑term water management strategies
- Chartered status (CPEng / RPEQ) or working toward
- Experience supporting regional, remote or site‑based operations
What's on Offer
- Work on technically challenging and high‑impact mining and resources projects across Australia
- Senior or Principal appointment depending on experience and capability
- Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and remote options (project‑dependent)
- Strong technical culture with clear career progression pathways
- Competitive remuneration aligned to seniority and leadership level
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.