Principal Engineer, Drill

Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is growing?

Who We Are

We are a global mining company dedicated to safely delivering nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group metals essential for the world's energy transition.

Our mission is to improve lives and shape a better future together.

From utensils to cellphones to satellites, our operations simplify daily life and enhance connectivity. Our metals are integral to life-saving medical equipment and the electric vehicles driving the fight against climate change – our work truly matters.

Join our diverse team of 15,000 talented individuals committed to transforming critical minerals into prosperity and sustainable development in countries like Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Japan. We invite you to use your skills with us and contribute to something meaningful and enduring.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Principal Engineer, Drill & Blast to join our Geotechnical team in Mississauga.

This is a permanent hybrid position in Mississauga.

As a Principal Engineer, Drill & Blast, you will be responsible for providing direct support to mine operations with production planning and design, including drill and blast parameters and infrastructure layout. You will also provide operations and planning support by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data to enhance planning and continuous improvement processes.

Additionally, in this position you will:

• Develop, implement, and maintain Vale Base Metals' global Drill & Blast Standard, including design, QA/QC, execution, and reconciliation processes.
• Lead technical assurance and governance reviews, ensuring compliance with corporate standards, regulatory requirements, and site-specific procedures
• Provide oversight and guidance for critical blast design reviews and change management of explosives and initiation systems
• Act as the company's principal authority on D&B design, sequencing, timing, and optimization (including electronic initiation and blast modelling)
• Provide advanced technical guidance to operations, projects, and studies on blast geometry, burden and spacing optimization, fragmentation control, vibration and air-blast management, and slope stability impacts
• Lead the global knowledge network for D&B professionals, promoting sharing of best practices, innovation, and standardization
• Support the integration of D&B into geotechnical, geology, and mine planning workflows, enabling a full Mine-to-Mill optimization chain
• Champion data-driven reconciliation of D&B outcomes (design vs. actual vs. performance), establishing clear KPIs and dashboards for fragmentation, dilution, ore loss, and cost
• Drive R&D, benchmarking, and technology adoption (e.g., advanced modelling, AI-assisted design, blast monitoring systems, UAV-based photogrammetry, etc.)
• Ensure all D&B practices align with corporate safety management systems and explosives regulatory frameworks in all jurisdictions of operation
• Participate in root-cause analyses for D&B-related incidents, non-conformances, or significant deviations
• Establish risk registers and bow-tie models for critical controls in D&B management.

About You

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in Mining Engineering or related discipline (Master's degree in Mining Engineering or Rock Mechanics preferred)
• P. Eng. or M.Eng

Experience:

• A minimum of 15 years of experience especially in large open pit and underground operations

Skills:

• Proven technical authority in D&B design, modelling, and performance optimization
• Deep understanding of Mine-to-Mill integration, fragmentation modelling, and downstream reconciliation
• Strong familiarity with global explosives regulations, safety standards, and governance system
• Exposure to digital D&B systems (BlastLogic, SHOTPlus, iRing, BMT, Split-Desktop, O-Pitblast, etc.).
• Excellent communication, influence, and leadership skills across diverse global teams
• Autonomy: broad objectives; works with other national experts to set research/policy strategy
• Direction provided: strategic direction to senior business leaders

What We Offer You

• Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
• Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
• Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
• Leave for all of life's reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental)
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Virtual Healthcare online
• Online training and career development opportunities.

Why Mississauga

Vale's Mississauga office, located in one of Canada's fastest growing and most diverse cities, is the epicenter of the company's technology development team. This office focuses on advancing Vale's competitive edge and refining growth strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. The innovative and dynamic environment of Mississauga perfectly complements Vale's commitment to technological excellence and sustainable development.

Include to Transform

At Vale Base Metals, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive work environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. Vale encourages everyone to express their ideas and opinions and values the plurality of individual profiles. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are critical to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race,

gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal consideration that makes us different.

Vale is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across our operations and improve equal opportunity at Vale and in the mining industry.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.

Pay Grade: F1T

Apply by: Nov 17, 2025

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