Technical Director - Mining UK

Technical Director - Mining UK

Full-Time Home office (partial)
WSP

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering delivery for major mining projects, ensuring safety and efficiency.
  • Company: Join WSP, a global leader in engineering and professional services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health support, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusivity.
  • Why this job: Shape landmark projects and make a real impact in communities worldwide.
  • Qualifications: Experience in engineering management and geotechnical design is essential.

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

  • Engineering delivery
    • Accountable for end-to-end engineering performance (scope, cost, schedule, quality)
    • Set up and manage engineering for projects from early-stage through execution
    • Define engineering scope, deliverables, EWPs and resource plans
  • Safety and risk
    • Lead safety-in-design and inherently safer design (ISD) principles
    • Run HAZIDs / design risk reviews and ensure close-out of residual risks
    • Proactively manage technical risk to protect programme and delivery certainty
  • Technical governance and assurance
    • Establish and apply engineering management plans, basis of design and design criteria
    • Implement design assurance, review and quality processes
    • Manage peer reviews, stage gates and technical decision workflows
    • Lead design change control aligned with client, regulatory and project requirements
  • Engineering performance and controls
    • Track and drive engineering performance using deliverable tracking, earned value and issue management
    • Intervene early on slippage and implement corrective actions
    • Maintain alignment between engineering outputs and project schedule
  • Leadership and team management
    • Lead multidisciplinary teams across locations (discipline leads, SMEs, consultants, workshare centres)
    • Drive accountability, performance and delivery culture
    • Coach and develop capability within the team, supporting succession and growth
  • Digital engineering and BIM
    • Deploy and manage digital engineering environments (e.g. Aveva E3D, Navisworks, ISO 19650 aligned systems)
    • Lead model federation and 3D/4D design reviews
    • Use digital tools to support constructability, design integration and lifecycle traceability
  • Design integration and reviews
    • Plan and lead multidisciplinary design reviews (concept, 30/60/90%, model reviews)
    • Ensure designs meet requirements for safety, compliance, constructability, operability and maintainability
  • Interface and construction alignment
    • Manage key interfaces across engineering, procurement and construction
    • Coordinate with field teams and contractors to ensure buildable, aligned solutions
  • Value and continuous improvement
    • Lead technical decision-making and value improvement initiatives
    • Capture and embed lessons learned across projects

Experience and Capability

  • Significant experience delivering large-scale industrial / mining / process projects across feasibility, FEED and execution
  • Proven track record leading multidisciplinary teams in EPCM, integrated owner or contractor environments
  • Strong background in engineering management, design coordination and project set-up
  • Experience in safety-in-design, technical assurance and governance frameworks
  • Familiar with digital engineering and BIM environments (E3D, Navisworks, integrated data platforms)
  • Strong commercial awareness – understands impact of engineering decisions on cost and delivery
  • Able to operate at both strategic level (set-up, governance) and detail (issue resolution, technical decisions)
  • Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or Engineering Geology (postgraduate qualification desirable)
  • Extensive experience in geotechnical design for underground tunnels and shafts in soft ground and/or hard rock
  • Strong understanding of ground behaviour, soil and rock mechanics, and geotechnical risk management
  • Familiarity with tunnelling methods (e.g., TBM, NATM, SCL) and shaft sinking techniques
  • Proficiency in geotechnical analysis software (e.g., PLAXIS, FLAC, GeoStudio) and interpretation of ground investigation data
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and lead multi-disciplinary teams
  • Excellent communication skills and willingness to travel within the UK and internationally

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate: If you don't meet all that we are looking for please still consider applying. Not everyone will meet all the requirements, but you might have skills we didn't know we need.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself? With us, you can.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

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 & Belonging

    We welcome applicants with varied 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 a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

  • Health & Wellbeing

    We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

  • Flex your time

    To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

  • 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.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Technical Director - Mining UK employer: WSP

WSP is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds that fosters professional growth and development through initiatives like the Land Academy. With a strong emphasis on hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that shape urban and rural landscapes across the UK and Ireland.

WSP

Contact Details:

WSP Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Technical Director - Mining UK

Join Engineering Meetups!

Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Technical Director - Mining UK role you’re after at WSP.

Show Off Your Projects!

Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at WSP a taste of what you can bring to the table!

Engage with Online Communities

Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at WSP.

Apply Through Company Websites

When you spot a role like Technical Director - Mining UK at WSP, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.

We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director - Mining UK

Engineering Management
Project Management
Safety-in-Design
Technical Assurance
Geotechnical Design
Digital Engineering
BIM (Building Information Modelling)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Technical Director - Mining UK, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.

Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at WSP a clear picture of the value you can bring.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to WSP specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.

How to prepare for a job interview at WSP

Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles

Before heading into the interview with WSP, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.

Relate Your Experience to the Role

In a full-time role, employers like WSP want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.

Know Your Tools and Software

Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.