Senior Backfill Engineer

Job Description

As a Senior Backfill Engineer at WSP, you will play a critical role in supporting mining, infrastructure, and process engineering projects across South Africa and globally. This role involves conceptual to detailed engineering design, laboratory testing support, process development, and project management for backfill, tailings disposal, and mine infrastructure systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform conceptual, feasibility, and detailed engineering design work.
• Support the development of laboratory testing protocols.
• Assist in laboratory and process team R&D initiatives.
• Conduct fieldwork, data analysis, and engineering calculations.
• Develop, write, and review equipment specifications.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers.
• Write and review proposals, technical memoranda, and reports.
• Perform Project Management or Engineering Management duties as required.
• Conduct audits and troubleshooting of existing mine infrastructure systems.
• Provide on-site supervision during construction phases when required.
• Lead and drive plant commissioning activities.
• Ensure compliance with South African Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) regulations and WSP policies.
• Travel to project sites as required.

What We Offer:

• Competitive remuneration package aligned with industry standards.
• Comprehensive employee benefits, including medical aid and retirement contributions.
• Professional development opportunities through training, mentorship, and technical conferences.
• Opportunity to work on local and international mining projects.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment within a global consulting firm.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Chemical, Metallurgical, or Process Engineering.
• 15+ years of experience in mining consulting or operations, with a strong background in backfill plants, tailings disposal systems, mine infrastructure, material handling, or comminution processes.
• Proven expertise in the design and operation of hydraulic fill, paste fill, and cemented rockfill plants.
• Experience in establishing laboratory testing protocols for paste backfill operations, thickening, filtration, rheology, and unconfined compressive strength testing.
• Ability to develop underground backfill distribution systems and slurry transport models.
• Valid driver’s license (South Africa) and willingness to travel.
• Professional Engineering registration with ECSA (or eligibility for registration).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, and other relevant engineering software.
• Safety-focused mindset with a strong commitment to compliance and risk management.
• Excellent organisational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and teamwork capabilities.

Additional information

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. 

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms. Our purpose is to future proof our cities and environments.

We have over 65,000 team members across the globe.  In Canada, our 12,000+ people are involved in everything from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transportation networks, from finding new ways to extract essential resources to developing renewable power sources for the future.

At WSP:

• We value our people and our reputation
• We are locally dedicated with international scale
• We are future focused and challenge the status quo
• We foster collaboration in everything we do
• We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable

Offers of employment for safety-sensitive positions involving fieldwork are contingent upon candidates being able to perform key physical tasks of the job as described in the job posting and interview. This may include the ability to 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. For more information please  READ THE FULL POLICY.