CA$102K – CA$120KMidFull Time
Location: Calgary, Edmonton, or Fort McMurray, AB preferred. Any AER office location will be considered.
Employment Type: Full Time - Permanent
Salary Range: T3, Level 5, $102,000 - $120,000 per year. The final compensation for this position will be determined based on individual factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. This position may be eligible to receive a Northern Living allowance. Northern Living allowances are provided based on the location of the position and where an employee primarily works and resides.
Tailings Engineer, Mining - Hybrid
The Opportunity
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking a Tailings Engineer to join its talented team of professionals in the Mining group within the Regulatory Applications Branch. This role provides technical knowledge, leadership and engineering expertise related to the management of tailings streams from oil sands, coal mining and rock hosted mining operation, supporting safe, environmentally responsible resource development throughout the project life cycle.
As a Tailings Engineer, you will review and evaluate applications, reports, and operator performance related to tailings management and treatment. Through collaboration with multidisciplinary technical teams and direct engagement with industry, government partners, and other stakeholders, you will assess risk, communicate findings, and make recommendations aligned with Alberta’s regulatory framework.
This position is recognized within the organization as a specialized engineering role requiring strong knowledge of tailings behavior, regulatory requirements, and risk-based decision-making.
What your day-to-day will look like:
Review and assess mining applications, plans, and reports related to tailings management and treatment, in accordance with applicable legislation, policy, and AER directives.
Provide technical recommendations on tailings facilities, deposition methods, treatment technologies, and long-term performance risks.
Evaluate operator performance and compliance with approval conditions, including analysis of monitoring data, mass balance information, and performance reporting.
Apply risk- and science-based review principles to identify and clearly articulate technical and environmental risks to internal decision-makers.
Collaborate with subject matter experts across AER branches, including Geotechnical, Closure and Reclamation and Regulatory Compliance.
Participate in hearings, audits, and compliance or assurance activities as a technical subject matter expert, as required.
Engage professionally with applicants, Indigenous communities, government agencies, and the public, supporting transparent and defensible regulatory decisions.
Inform and liaise with representatives from industry, AER field staff, the public and government during the application review process including but not limited to regulatory requirements associated with mining developments.
Work with a diverse network of specialists across industry, academia and government to remain current on emerging issues, identify policy gaps and support policy initiatives with a view towards their practical application to energy sector activities and support the implementation of them into AER core business functions to ensure policy objectives are upheld.
Represent the AER on external multi-stakeholder forums, working groups and committees, supporting the creation of new AER regulatory frameworks, directives, monitoring requirements and the development of novel approaches to regulation that uphold the integrity of environmental regulations.
Perform desktop audit activities and approval/license maintenance, including making recommendations on operators’ performance and compliance to application requirements.
What we’re looking for in you:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Civil, Geological, Mining or related discipline).
5+ years of demonstrated experience in tailings management, geotechnical engineering, mining or related technical field.
Registered professional with Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) or eligible for professional membership.
Strong understanding of tailings properties, deposition methods and facility performance.
Knowledge of Alberta’s regulatory framework and associated legislations and enactments with ability to apply them to various submission scenarios is consider an asset.
Ability to analyze complex technical information and clearly communicate risks and recommendations in written and verbal format.
Ability to use strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills to build and maintain working relationships with internal and external stakeholders includes facilitating meetings. Able to present and communicate complex technical information to a variety of audiences.
Additional Information:
All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of application.
Pre-placement Medical and a fully valid class 5 driver’s license along with a positive driving record is required.
First Aid and H2S Awareness training is considered an asset.
Travel is required within the province to support team members and industry engagement 10-20% of the time.
Should an individual with the required qualifications not be available, applicants with closely related qualifications may be considered. As a result, the position may be redesigned and/or reclassified.
If you need accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please email PeopleServices@aer.ca. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
What we offer you:
Great benefits from your first day of work
Flexible Work Program - hybrid work and flexible hours
Edmonton: Hybrid work - employees located in Edmonton will work in office two days per week
All other locations: Hybrid work - employees may work remotely up to five days per calendar month, with a limit of two remote days per week
Defined benefit pension plan(s)
Flexible benefits program options, including Personal & Health spending account(s)
Generous vacation entitlement and flex days
More information about working at the AER including our comprehensive Total Rewards package can be found in the careers section of our website https://www.aer.ca/providing-information/about-the-aer/careers/what-we-offer.
Our Commitment to Diversity:
At the AER, our values of Accountability, Collaboration, Transparency, and Trust & Respect are foundational to our culture – a culture where every individual, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected factors, thrives and contributes their unique perspectives.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion fuels innovation, creating a brighter, more sustainable Alberta for all. Join us in shaping this dynamic future.
Application closing date: April 13th, 2026, at midnight
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