BBA Consultants · 1 week ago
Principal Engineer Lead, Hydrology & Hydraulics - Mining & Dams
Elko, NV
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff
20+ years expBBA Consultants is a leading private consulting engineering firm specializing in the energy and natural resources industry. They are seeking a Principal Engineer Lead for Hydrology, Hydraulics & Dam Safety to provide technical authority and leadership for water management and dam-related projects in the mining sector, ensuring safe design and regulatory compliance.
Business DevelopmentConsultingProfessional Services
Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership and oversight for hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety aspects of mining projects
Act as senior technical reviewer for dams, tailings storage facilities, and mine water management infrastructure
Lead and review hydrological and hydroclimatic studies, including:
Catchment and watershed analyses
Extreme flood estimation and design floods
Hydroclimatic and statistical analyses
Climate change impact and adaptation assessments
Lead hydraulic analyses and modelling to support dam and tailings design, including:
Spillway and outlet works capacity
Flood routing and reservoir routing
Freeboard assessments
Emergency spillway performance
Perform or oversee 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic simulations for dams, tailings facilities, and diversion systems
Lead the development of integrated mine water management strategies, including water balances, operational water routing, and contingency planning
Develop and review water and mass balance models for tailings storage facilities and mine operations
Support tailings governance frameworks, including design basis, operating criteria, and performance monitoring
Contribute to closure and long-term water management strategies for tailings and mine facilities
Lead and contribute to dam safety assessments, including:
Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs)
Independent Technical Reviews (ITRs)
Consequence classification and hazard assessments
Failure modes and effects analyses (FMEA)
Support emergency preparedness and response planning, including dam break analysis and inundation mapping and emergency action plans (EAPs)
Prepare and review dam safety documentation in support of regulatory submissions and audits
Ensure alignment with applicable U.S. dam safety regulations, guidelines, and industry standards, as well as international best practices
Serve as a technical mentor and leader for hydrotechnical and dam safety professionals
Support proposals, scopes, and technical approaches for dam and tailings projects
Act as a trusted technical advisor to mining clients and regulatory authorities
Promote best practices in safety, risk management, and responsible tailings governance
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or equivalent
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or eligible for licensure in the United States
20+ years of experience in hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety, preferably in mining and tailings projects
Demonstrated experience with dam safety evaluations, tailings facilities, and flood risk management
Advanced proficiency in hydrological and hydraulic modelling tools
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
Preferred
Master's degree or PhD in Hydraulics, Hydrology, Water Resources, or related field is a strong asset
Familiarity with U.S. dam safety regulations and regulatory processes
Experience supporting Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and inundation mapping
Knowledge of instrumentation, hydrometry, and dam monitoring systems
Familiarity with international dam and tailings guidelines (e.g., industry best practices)
Experience incorporating climate change considerations into dam and flood design
Company
BBA Consultants
BBA Consultants provides a wide range of consulting engineering services.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Jean L’Heureux
Directeur
Recent News
2025-07-29
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