Geotechnical Engineer II

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   

Located approximately 50 miles northeast of Safford, Arizona on U.S. Highway 191, Morenci operations (an open-pit copper mining complex) has been in continuous operation since 1939. The operation consists of two concentrators, crushed-ore leach pad and stacking system, a low-grade run-of-mine (ROM) leaching system; four SX plants; and three EW tank houses that produce copper cathode.  

Morenci is a unique company town where our employees and their families can reconnect with nature through hiking, fishing, camping, hunting and numerous parks. The company offers several amenities, including company housing OR employees who are required to work on-site are eligible for a $750 monthly housing allowance, provided they meet program guidelines, a newly constructed daycare and community center, library, health-care facilities, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a movie theater and a skate park. Our dedicated Parks and Recreation Division plans activities for people of all ages, making sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit the Morenci town website to learn more. 

What You Will Do

• Lead Geotechnical instrumentation monitoring and data collection. 
• Lead the operation Geotechnical data inventory effort. 
• Lead regular Geotechnical inspections of active and inactive structures. 
• Lead 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 
• Lead or supervise drilling and Geotechnical instrumentation installation by contractors and EOR. 
• Lead 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 and Crushed Leach Stewardship Team by tracking all recommendations, ensuring compliance with those recommendations, and regular reporting. 
• Liaise with the FMMC Corporate Tailings and 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 and three (3) years of experience in an applicable field of expertise, OR 
• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or applicable Engineering discipline and two (2) years of experience in an applicable field of expertise. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to a diversely educated audience. 
• Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety for yourself and others. 
• Skilled in following safety practices and recognizing hazards. 
• 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. 

Preferred Qualifications

•   Certification of Engineer in Training (EIT) and/or equivalent relevant certification or Professional Engineer (PE) Certification.
•   Experience with tailings storage facilities design, construction and operations.
•   Experience with project scheduling and project controls.
•   Experience with geotechnical slope stability instrumentation and monitoring programs, data management, and analysis.
•   Experienc