Geotechnical Engineer I

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career. Apply Today!

Where You Will Work

In operation since 2007, Safford operations is a zero-discharge facility and one of the most sustainable mines in the United States. The operation’s commitment to utilizing advanced technologies and sustainable practices strongly emphasizes safety and environmental stewardship. Located in southeastern Arizona, close to more than 4 million acres of national forest, employees and their families can connect with the great outdoors while fishing, rafting, hiking and more. Several educational institutions also are nearby, including a Northern Arizona University satellite campus, Eastern Arizona College, and the Gila Institute for Technology.

What You Will Do

- Support Geotechnical instrumentation monitoring and data collection.

- Support the operation Geotechnical data inventory effort.

- Support regular geotechnical inspections of active and inactive structures.

- Support construction Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) activities for construction of tailings embankments, ore leach stockpiles, and/or Engineer-of-Record (EOR)’s QA activities as appropriate

- Support or supervise drilling and Geotechnical instrumentation installation by contractors and EOR.

- Support the contract management and coordination with the EOR for ore leach pads, tailings storage facilities, storm water ponds, etc. to ensure regular review, tracking of all action items, and to ensure compliance with recommendations of the EOR.

- Communicate accurate, timely and relevant Geotechnical information to operational management team and staff.

- Liaise with the FCX corporate Tailings & Crushed Leach Stewardship Team by tracking all recommendations, ensuring compliance with those recommendations, and regular reporting.

- Liaise with the FMMC corporate Tailings & Water Group to develop scopes of work as required.

- Proactively seek improvements to the safe and Geotechnically stable construction and operation of ore leach pads, tailings storage facilities, storm water ponds, etc.

- Assist with the development, maintenance, and implementations of strategic plans to enhance the operation’s slope stability program.

- Assist with the preparation of annual sustaining capital, operational budget and capital funding.

- May represent the site on company sponsored steering teams related to Geotechnical efforts.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring To Freeport

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited curriculum, with courses in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering

- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to a diversely educated audience.

- Knowledge in the principles and practices of Civil, Geologic, Geotechnical, or Hydrologic Engineering or a related field of Science or Engineering

- Knowledge of appropriate software (MS Office, AutoCAD) and Geotechnical analysis

- Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety of yourself and others.

- Skilled in following safety practices and recognizing hazards.

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in Civil, Geological or Geotechnical Engineering

- Experience with metal mining operations, especially with tailings storage facility (dam), water dams and/or crushed leach stockpile design and operations

- Comfortable working with people / good interpersonal relationships skills

- Excellent reporting, planning, and teamwork skills

- Experience in soil laboratory testing (e.g., gradation, compaction) and geotechnical instrumentation (piezometers)

- Field experience in geotechnical investigations

- Familiarity with GIS, InSAR and other geospatial tools

- Knowledge of AutoCAD and Civil 3D

- Knowledge of MS tools, Power BI and database management

- Skilled in following safety practices and recognizing hazards

- Certified Engineer-in-Training (EIT)

What We Offer You

The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $80,000-$110,000. This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional discretionary and incentive payment considerations based on company and individual performance. More details will be shared during the hiring process. .

- Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits

- Company-paid life and disability insurance

- 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match

- Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave

- Tuition assistance

- Employee Assistance Program

- Discounted insurance plans for pet, auto, home and vehicle

- Internal progression opportunities

What We Require

- Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.

- Candidates must pass all required training and/or testing.

- Employees may be required to work a non-standard schedule, which may include shift work (other than day shift) at a 24/7, 365-day operation.

Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going drug and alcohol testing, as allowed by applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please be advised that Freeport-McMoRan will never request payment for job-related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to HRSC@fmi.com .