Senior Engineer - Research and Development

6w1 month ago

University of Arizona

Tucson, US · Full-time · $86,870 – $112,932

About this role

The Geotechnical Center of Excellence (GCE) is a stakeholder-led research and professional development organization within the University of Arizona's School of Mining and Mineral Resources. The Senior Engineer, R&D serves as a senior technical leader advancing applied geotechnical research and training programs focused on mine slope stability, highwall safety, and thermal imaging technologies.

This position leads and helps execute GCE's field data collection programs in collaboration with industry partners and students, ensuring data integrity and safety in mine-site environments. Day-to-day work includes designing and leading applied geotechnical research, deploying instruments on active mine sites, and analyzing data for real-time rockfall detection and slope monitoring.

The role provides technical leadership for the development and delivery of professional courses, mentoring junior staff and students to build capacity for future research and industry practice. The Senior Engineer also represents GCE research at industry and academic conferences and serves as a technical lead on project communications with stakeholders.

This position requires occasional travel to mine sites for field deployments and industry events, with field work involving exposure to weather extremes and active mine conditions. The role offers the opportunity to shape industry-aligned learning content and cultivate strong relationships with mining industry members, technology providers, and academic partners.

Requirements

Senior technical leadership experience in applied geotechnical research
Expertise in mine slope stability, highwall safety, and thermal imaging technologies for real-time rockfall detection and slope monitoring
Experience leading field data collection programs on active mine sites, including instrument deployment and data acquisition
Proven ability to serve as lead author or contributor to peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, and technical reports
Experience developing and delivering professional courses in slope stability, monitoring technologies, or data analytics
Strong stakeholder engagement skills with industry members, technology providers, and academic partners
Supervisory and mentoring experience with graduate students, undergraduate research assistants, and junior engineers

Responsibilities

Design and lead applied geotechnical research on highwall safety, slope monitoring, and thermal imaging systems
Lead and participate in field data collection programs, including instrument deployment, data acquisition, and analysis on active mine sites
Serve as primary author, internal reviewer, and/or lead contributor to peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, technical reports, abstracts, and presentations
Represent GCE research at industry and academic conferences and serve as a technical lead on project communications with stakeholders
Serve as technical lead for the development of new professional courses and ongoing technical lead for recurring courses on slope stability, monitoring technologies, and data analytics
Collaborate with subject-matter experts to develop and deliver engaging, industry-aligned learning content
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with industry members, technology providers, and academic partners
Supervise and mentor graduate students, undergraduate research assistants, and junior R&D Engineers