Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

Alcoa Transformation group is looking to fill the role of a Senior Geotechnical Engineer! Transformation is charged with the global responsibility to manage Alcoa’s identified environmental liabilities and assets at closed locations and to provide technical assistance for operating locations’ waste management needs to meet overall financial and risk avoidance goals.

This role is responsible for providing strategic technical support to Transformation Locations for all aspects relating to impoundment operations, maintenance, and closure, and ensuring adherence to the Global Industry Standard for Tailings Management (GISTM) and Alcoa’s Impoundment Management System (IMS). This role will also serve as the Geotechnical Engineering Lead for the Integrated Closure Committee leading initiatives to enhance processes for Global site closure planning and Asset Retirement Obligation cost estimating.

Technical Lead – Integrated Closure Committee

• Provide strategic technical input into the development of Global policies, standards, and guidelines establishing the framework to ensure implementation of cost-effective closure solutions that meet applicable regulatory and Alcoa requirements.
• Perform technical gap assessments of site closure plans and associated cost estimates and support development of gap closure plans.
• Provide recommendations to optimize the geotechnical designs, construction, and monitoring of Global closure strategies and designs
• Conduct risk assessments and readiness reviews for closure execution.

Technical Consultant – Technical Support for Transformation Closure Projects

• Perform technical reviews of studies, data, and reports including geotechnical investigation reports, seepage analyses, closure designs, monitoring data, QA/QC protocols, and related documents.
• Provide technical guidance to Locations to perform required geotechnical site investigations, stability analyses, closure works, and maintenance and monitoring activities.
• Interpret monitoring data and recommend modifications to optimize operations and maintenance programs.
• Perform site visits to support development of closure plans, optimize O&M Programs, and provide technical support during active construction projects.

Technical Consultant – GISTM & Alcoa IMS Program Oversight, Maintenance, and Optimization

• Provide technical support to Locations to develop scopes of work, review deliverables, and perform risk assessments for various impoundment projects.
• Oversee program maintenance requirements to ensure ongoing conformance with Alcoa requirements while actively identifying opportunities to improve program efficiency and reduce risk.
• Coordinate internal assurance reviews and external audits related to impoundment management with project teams.
• Update technical standards, guidelines, and procedures based on lessons learned and industry standard practices.
• Coordinate collection of relevant site data from the locations to support internal reporting requirements.

General Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geology, Civil Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Master’s degree preferred in: Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or similar field.
• PE or PG license is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years’ progressive geotechnical engineering experience working on projects in an industrial, mining, process, manufacturing, or similar environment
• Sound knowledge of internationally recognized tailings management standards and industry guidelines such as ICMM, ANCOLD, MAC/CDA, and GISTM.
• Demonstrated experience in geotechnical engineering aspects of tailings dam closure planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Experience performing geotechnical investigations, slope stability analyses and consolidation modelling. 
• Experience performing geotechnical risk assessments in accordance with industry practices, including evaluation of structural stability, and long‑term performance of legacy impoundments.
• Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal and influencing skills with demonstrated ability to challenge effectively and drive outcomes.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, capacity to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and drive aggressive implementation plans and schedules
• Travel requirements up to 15%

About the Location

Working at the Pittsburgh Alcoa Corporate Center, located on the thriving North Shore of Pittsburgh, allows employees to experience firsthand, whether working virtually or on-site or a hybrid of the two, what being a values-based company means. Through daily interactions with colleagues and exposure to some of the organization’s highest-level executives, the office creates an environment in which all employees can develop and contribute to their full potential. Outside of the office, Pittsburgh itself is one of the country’s most livable and affordable cities – combining the city feel with small town charm.

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.   

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.  

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at gssrecruiting@alcoa.com.  

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!  

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.