Mining Project Engineer

About the Role

The Project Engineer acts as the Project Manager's technical engine, working in both the office and the field. This role owns the documents, data, and measured record of construction, including submittals, RFIs, drawings, field layout and grade control, installed quantities, quality verification, cost coding, procurement support, and the turnover package. The Project Engineer produces critical information for project decision-making and company payment, without making commercial decisions or directing crews.

Key Responsibilities

Document & Information Control

• Own the RFI log: number, issue, track, chase, and distribute responses.
• Own submittals and shop drawings: assemble, transmit, track approval status, and distribute approved copies.
• Own drawing and specification control: ensure the field uses current revisions and superseded documents are removed.
• Interpret drawings and specifications for site personnel; escalate genuine ambiguity as an RFI.
• Maintain project files for on-demand document retrieval for changes, claims, or audits.

Field Layout & Measurement

• Establish and maintain survey, line, and grade control; coordinate third-party survey.
• Verify installed work matches design line, grade, elevation, and tolerance before coverage.
• Measure and log installed quantities as work progresses (e.g., earthwork volumes, concrete, pipe, welds, liner, cable).
• Provide the measured basis for percent complete, accruals, billings, and change order pricing.
• Photograph and document changed, differing, or concealed conditions immediately upon discovery.

Quality Verification

• Perform and document in-progress quality inspections.
• Coordinate third-party testing (e.g., compaction, concrete, weld NDE, bolt inspection, liner seam testing, hydrostatic and pneumatic testing).
• Set and enforce hold points before work is covered.
• Identify nonconforming work and route it for correction; log and verify closure.
• Maintain the QA/QC documentation package: inspection records, test reports, certifications, weld maps, welder qualifications.

Cost & Change Support

• Set up and maintain the cost code structure.
• Maintain earned-value and percent-complete tracking from measured quantities.
• Flag cost code overruns and quantity trends to the Project Manager.
• Report directions, conditions, or drawing revisions outside of contracted scope.
• Maintain separate cost coding and daily documentation for potential change work from its inception.

Procurement Support

• Prepare requisitions and purchase orders for Project Manager signature; maintain the procurement log.
• Expedite materials and equipment; report delivery risks.
• Track receiving, storage, and material availability against the schedule.
• Assemble subcontractor documentation (insurance, bonds, safety, lien waivers).

Reporting & Closeout

• Maintain as-built redlines continuously.
• Compile the turnover package (as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties, test records, certifications).
• Assemble weekly and monthly project reports from field and cost data; support punch list tracking.
• Take and publish project meeting minutes with actions, owners, and dates.

Authority and Decision Rights

• Purchases up to $2,500 for project consumables and field or office needs.
• Authority to reject nonconforming work technically.
• Authority to require a hold point before work is covered.
• Unlimited stop-work authority.

Boundary Lines

• Does not own commercial decisions, change order pricing approval, or client negotiation (Project Manager).
• Does not own direction, assignment, or sequencing of craft crews (Superintendent).
• Does not own means and methods—how a task is physically built (Superintendent).
• Does not own correcting nonconforming work (Superintendent).
• Does not own schedule ownership (Project Manager/Superintendent).
• Does not own answering client RFIs or technical questions directly (Project Manager).
• Does not own committing to a client field representative that work will be done a certain way (Superintendent).
• Does not own preparing commitments for signature (Project Manager signs).

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Total station, GPS/GNSS rover, and machine control concepts.
• Ability to compute earthwork volumes and verify quantities independently.
• Proficient in the quality verification methods for all project service lines.
• Ability to read civil, structural, mechanical, piping, and electrical drawings, isometrics, P&IDs, and specifications.
• Familiar with documentation generated by each service line (e.g., mill certifications, WPS/PQR, concrete batch tickets, test reports, megger and loop-check records).
• Willing and able to split time between the project office and the work face.
• Strong document discipline and comfort with high-volume detail under deadline.
• Proficient in the company's project controls and document management systems.
• MSHA Part 46/48, valid 5000-23.
• OSHA 30 preferred.
• EIT / FE certification preferred.

Qualifications

• 0–6 years' experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Mechanical, Mining, or Construction Engineering, or Construction Management, or equivalent surveying and technical background.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record where site or company driving is required.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and site-required screening, including fit-for-duty where applicable.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work Environment: Split between project office and work face. Full PPE and current MSHA credentials required. Exposure to heat, cold, dust, noise, vibration, and moving equipment.
• Physical Demands: Sustained field presence. Walking on uneven ground, climbing ladders and stairs, working at elevation and around excavations. Carrying survey and measurement equipment. Lifting up to 50 lbs.