Senior/Lead Tailings Engineer
Melbourne | Technical leadership and project management | Relocation assistance available to interstate candidates
Resource Engineering Consultants (REC) is seeking a capable and engaging Senior Tailings Engineer to take a leading role within its growing Melbourne operation.
This is an opportunity to join a motivated and energetic team, work alongside highly experienced tailings specialists and help shape the culture and future of REC's Melbourne office.
REC staff and Directors enjoy a workplace free from significant hierarchy and red tape.
We work hard in a collegiate atmosphere.
The role combines technical tailings work, project management, client engagement and mentoring.
You will report to REC's Perth-based leadership team but will have considerable autonomy in Melbourne, effectively taking responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the local office.
Our Melbourne office has a significant pipeline of work in place.
There is no sales target or formal business-development requirement.
However, you will be a visible and trusted point of contact for clients, so the ability to communicate clearly, build relationships and represent REC professionally is essential.
About REC
REC is a specialist engineering consultancy providing geotechnical, civil, environmental and related technical services across the mining and heavy-industry sectors.
The business is recognised for its depth of tailings expertise, practical approach and high technical standards.
Its experienced principals and senior specialists provide strong technical support, while giving capable engineers the autonomy to lead projects, work directly with clients and develop their own leadership style.
REC's tailings-related work is diverse and extends beyond traditional mining applications.
The Melbourne team's project portfolio includes work across:
Mining and mineral-processing operations
Tailings storage facilities
Wastewater management
Landfill and waste-management sites
Water and containment infrastructure
Site investigations, design, assessment and construction support




This diversity provides exposure to different industries, project environments and engineering challenges.
The opportunity
You will help lead REC's Melbourne operation as it enters its next stage of development.
The office is expected to relocate into the city shortly, providing a well-positioned base from which to support local and interstate clients.
Working closely with REC's Perth-based team and senior technical specialists, you will:
Lead and manage tailings and related geotechnical projects
Act as a key point of contact for clients throughout project delivery
Develop project scopes, programs, budgets and deliverables
Coordinate technical inputs and allocate work across the project team
Monitor project progress, quality, commercial performance and deadlines
Prepare and review technical reports, designs and client documentation
Communicate technical information clearly to clients and other stakeholders
Provide practical guidance and mentoring to early-career engineers
Support the professional development of the Melbourne team
Help establish effective systems, standards and ways of working within the office
Work collaboratively with REC's Perth-based leadership and technical specialists
Contribute to a positive, engaged and high-performing office culture
Although you will have significant responsibility, you won't be expected to operate in isolation.
You will have access to some very experienced tailings professionals who can provide specialist input, peer review and technical support when required.
About you
You will be a technically capable tailings or geotechnical engineer who is ready to take greater ownership of projects, clients and team development.
You don't need to be the industry's foremost technical authority.




More important is your ability to apply sound engineering judgement, recognise when specialist input is required and bring the right people together to deliver a quality outcome.
You will ideally bring:
Relevant experience in tailings, geotechnical, civil or related engineering
Experience contributing to or leading tailings storage, containment, wastewater or landfill projects
The ability to manage engineering projects from scope through to delivery
Strong report-writing and technical documentation skills
Confidence communicating directly with clients
The ability to explain technical matters clearly and practically
Sound commercial awareness, including management of budgets, programs and variations
A team-oriented and approachable leadership style
An interest in mentoring and developing less-experienced engineers
The initiative and resilience required to help lead a developing office
A relevant engineering degree
Experience across several sectors would be valuable, but applicants with strong mining-tailings experience and an interest in broadening into wastewater and landfill applications are encouraged to apply.
Why join REC?
This role offers more than another position within a large consulting hierarchy.
You will have the opportunity to:
Play a central role in the development of REC's Melbourne office
Work alongside highly experienced and respected tailings specialists
Lead interesting projects across mining, wastewater and landfill environments
Build genuine, long-term relationships with clients without carrying a sales target
Mentor a motivated group of developing engineers
Influence the systems, standards and culture of a growing team
Enjoy autonomy while retaining the support of an experienced national team
Develop toward broader technical or operational leadership
Location and relocation
The position is based in Melbourne, with the office expected to relocate into the city shortly.
REC is open to applicants currently based outside of Melbourne and will provide relocation assistance for the right person.
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📌 Senior/Lead Tailings Engineer (Melbourne)
🏢 Adaptive Resourcing
📍 Melbourne