Dam Site Engineer (2-year fixed term contract)

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OceanaGold seeks a Dam Site Engineer for a 2-year fixed term at Waihi to provide on-site engineering, construction coordination and QA/QC support for tailings storage. You will coordinate field crews and surveys, verify works against drawings and specs, witness testing, and manage QA documentation through commissioning. Ideal candidates have 5+ years in civil construction surveying with mining or dam exposure, a surveying qualification, experience with total stations and GNSS, and software like Civil 3D, plus a valid NZ visa and willingness to live in Waihi. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight tailings and QA/QC leadership, quantify safety and delivery outcomes, and submit by 11 August 2026; agency applications are not accepted.

Company Description

OceanaGold is a global intermediate gold and copper producer with more than 35 years of exploration, development and operating experience.  We have four operating mines – Haile in the USA, Macraes and Waihi in New Zealand, and Didipio in the Philippines and a global workforce of ~5,400 employees and contractors.

Our people, assets, and strategy are core to our success. Guided by our values—Care, Respect, Integrity, Performance, and Teamwork—we strive to be a trusted company people want to work for, partner with, supply and invest in, to create value.  We are committed to safe and responsible mining that generates strong returns and contributes to sustainable development in the regions where we operate. OceanaGold is listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (TSX: OGC; NYSE: OGC).

Our Waihi Operation in the North Island of New Zealand is an underground gold mine. A recent consent for the Waihi North Project, a new mine to be developed 6km north of the existing operation has provided a long-term extension of mine life providing our 400 staff and contractors, and the people of Waihi, an assurance that we plan to be here for the long-term.

Job Description

The purpose of this role is to provide on-site engineering, construction coordination, and quality assurance/quality control support for tailings storage facility (TSF) and associated water management infrastructure works. The position is responsible for coordinating day-to-day field activities and verifying that tailings dam construction, embankment raises, seepage control works, monitoring systems, remediation works, decants, pipelines, drains and associated earthworks are delivered safely, in accordance with design intent, technical specifications, inspection and test requirements, schedule requirements and governance standards. 

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day site engineering and QA/QC support for tailings storage facility construction, embankment raises, seepage control works, decants, pipelines, drains and associated site infrastructure.
• Coordinate contractors, field crews, surveyors, laboratories and suppliers to ensure works are executed in the correct sequence and to the required technical, safety and quality standards.
• Verify that works are completed in accordance with approved drawings, technical specifications, construction methodologies, method statements, inspection and test plans, and quality requirements.
• Coordinate and witness field testing, material verification, compaction testing, density testing, survey set-out confirmation and other QA/QC activities relevant to tailings dam construction.
• Inspect earthworks, lining systems, drainage features, pipework and structural components to confirm compliance with design intent, technical specifications, construction tolerances and quality release requirements.
• Review contractor QA documentation and site practices to ensure hold points, witness points, inspection requirements and quality release requirements are met before progression of works.
• Maintain accurate site and quality records including daily progress updates, quantities installed, inspection reports, test results, material traceability, lot records, non-conformance reports, delays, safety observations and field changes.
• Assist with commissioning, handover, close-out and compilation of completion dossiers to ensure completed works are transferred effectively to operations and supporting documentation is complete for governance, operational use and future dam assurance reviews.
• Maintain site diaries, inspection and test records, surveillance reports, quality registers, quantity tracking, survey information and progressive construction documentation for assigned work areas.
• Track completion and closure of work fronts, hold points, witness points, inspection actions, site instructions, design clarifications, quality issues and defect rectification activities.
• Coordinate technical queries, field change requests and construction clarifications relevant to tailings dam and associated earthworks scopes.
• Build effective working relationships with operations, technical services, geotechnical engineers, the Engineer of Record, contractors, laboratories and survey providers to support safe, efficient and compliant tailings dam delivery.
• Perform all work and associated functions safely:

Qualifications

• Full and current driver licence; ability to drive manual vehicles is preferred.
• Relevant surveying qualification, civil – Bulk Earthworks construction survey experience.
• Experience using total stations, GNSS/GPS equipment, digital levels, data collectors, Drone Survey, and survey processing software.
• Experience with civil design, modelling or survey software such as 12d, Trimble Business Center, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, Magnet, Leica, Topcon or similar is desirable.
• At least 5 years’ experience in civil construction surveying, preferably on mining, tailings or dam infrastructure, earthworks, roads, drainage, water management, underground mine support infrastructure or heavy civil projects.
• Experience working safely and productively in active construction environments, preferably with exposure to mining, quarrying, tunnelling or major infrastructure projects.

Additional Information

WHAT'S ON OFFER:

• Residential role - live and work in Waihi, the gateway to the stunning Coromandel region
• Career Development Opportunities 
• Competitive salary
• Mon-Fri 50 hour week.
• Free Gym Membership 
• Living Our Values recognition program
• Access to OceanaGold Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Exceptional working environment where people are valued and respected
   

YOU MATTER: OceanaGold is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. We believe a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. Should you require any assistance applying for this opportunity, please contact us at [email protected]

**Applications close 11 August 2026. Shortlisting will commence immediately. Please note that a valid New Zealand working Visa will be required for this position. 

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED