Type of position: Régulier
Your future role at BBA
BBA is seeking a Principal Engineer Lead – Hydrology,
Hydraulics & Dam Safety to provide technical authority and leadership for
water management, tailings, and dam-related projects in the mining sector. This
role is central to the safe design, operation, and governance of dams and
tailings facilities, where hydrological risk, hydraulic performance, and
regulatory compliance are critical.
You will act as a senior technical advisor and dam
safety leader, supporting clients in the planning, design, assessment, and
operation of tailings storage facilities, water retention dams, diversion
structures, and mine water management systems. The role combines advanced
technical responsibility, dam safety governance, mentoring, and client
engagement.
With us, you’ll get the opportunity to
Technical
Leadership & Dam Safety Authority
- 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
Tailings & Mine Water Management
- 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.
Dam Safety, Risk & Regulatory
Compliance
- 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
Leadership, Mentorship & Client Engagement
- 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
Do your qualities and values match
our corporate culture?
- Strong
ethical standards and commitment to public and environmental safety
- Deep
interest in complex, high-consequence engineering challenges
- Results-driven
with sound engineering judgment
- Collaborative
leadership and knowledge-sharing mindset
- Strong
commitment to health, safety, and responsible mining practices
Summary of certifications and job
requirements
- Bachelor’s
degree in civil engineering or equivalent
- Master’s
degree or PhD in Hydraulics, Hydrology, Water Resources, or related field
is a strong asset
- 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
- Asset:
Familiarity with U.S. dam safety regulations and regulatory processes
- Asset: Experience supporting Emergency Action
Plans (EAPs) and inundation mapping
- Asset: Knowledge of instrumentation,
hydrometry, and dam monitoring systems
- Asset: Familiarity with international dam and
tailings guidelines (e.g., industry best practices)
- Asset: Experience incorporating climate change
considerations into dam and flood design
.
About
BBA
BBA is one of Canada’s leading private consulting engineering firms, with over 45 years of experience serving the energy and natural resources industry.
Our people are the foundation of our success. Their passion and excellence have earned us recognition as one of Canada’s Best Employers and Best Managed Companies, and we’re committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels empowered to grow, lead and be themselves.
Our teams bring together engineering, environmental and commissioning expertise to deliver practical, innovative and sustainable solutions—from strategy to execution. With 20 offices across Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, we combine local presence with international reach, offering clients close collaboration and field-ready support.
Learn more about our culture and projects on LinkedIn or connect with our talent team.
