Senior Mechanical Engineer

About the Company:

In the coming decades, demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, and cobalt will continue to grow. These minerals are needed to build electric infrastructure, vehicles, data centers, and electronics. However, the mining industry is making 10x fewer discoveries per dollar spent on exploration compared to 30 years ago because the easy-to-find, near surface deposits have largely been discovered.

KoBold was founded to be the first AI native mineral exploration, mine development, and technology development company. Our goal is to turn mineral exploration into a repeatable science to discover the minerals the world needs—by integrating artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and new technology. Our multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, and geologists work together to build data systems, design new sensors, and establish industry-leading workflows to develop and test subsurface predictions on our exploration projects.

Our first discovery, Mingomba, is a high-grade copper deposit in Zambia, found after spending materially less than industry average. We are developing Mingomba with the same technical rigor that we apply to exploration. The Mingomba team brings together mine and processing engineers, geologists, data scientists, software engineers, and community, health & safety, construction, and operations specialists. By combining industry knowledge and cutting edge technology, we are developing Mingomba into a world class project that has safer and more predictable outcomes for ourselves, partners, and communities. It is expected to create thousands of good jobs for generations.

KoBold runs exploration programs in eight countries, all with the potential for another discovery.

KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, Durable Capital, StepStone, and Standard Investments; and strategic natural resources companies BHP and Mitsubishi.

About the Role

This role will provide strategic technical leadership, assurance, and governance across all mechanical engineering components of the Mingomba mining project. You will be the mechanical engineering authority for the Owner’s Team, ensuring that all designs and execution meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, operability, and cost-effectiveness. As the discipline lead, you will guide the development and approval of the Mechanical Basis of Design, oversee the performance of engineering consultants, and ensure smooth integration of mechanical systems across both surface and underground infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Serve as the mechanical engineering technical authority for the project.
• Define and maintain mechanical engineering standards, design criteria, and specifications.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, corporate, and industry standards.
• Provide assurance that deliverables meet functional and lifecycle requirements.
• Lead mechanical discipline input into project risk, safety, and design review processes (HAZOP, HAZID, SIL).

Engineering Management & Integration

• Oversee mechanical engineering across project scopes: shafts, hoisting, dewatering, materials handling, workshops, ventilation, and surface interfaces.
• Coordinate interfaces with civil, electrical, controls, and process disciplines.
• Review and approve key engineering documents.
• Drive standardisation and technical alignment across project areas.

Project Delivery & Execution Oversight

• Support procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Lead technical evaluations for major mechanical packages.
• Resolve design and site engineering issues.
• Participate in FATs, SATs, and commissioning sign-offs.

Risk, Quality, and Compliance

• Ensure designs meet Mine Health and Safety, environmental, and statutory obligations.
• Maintain discipline risk registers and oversee mitigation.
• Drive lessons learned, audits, and continuous improvement.

Leadership, Mentoring, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and mentor the mechanical engineering team.
• Provide strategic guidance and interface with EPCM.
• Represent the mechanical discipline in project and partner meetings.
• Engage operations to ensure maintainability and readiness

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• Professional registration (Pr.Eng or equivalent).
• 15+ years in mining or heavy industrial mechanical engineering.
• 5+ years at principal or lead level.
• Strong experience in underground mine infrastructure.
• Proven experience in EPCM or Owner’s Team environments.
• Strong understanding of engineering assurance and design governance.

What to Expect

Joining KoBold means getting the opportunity for hands-on exposure to our exploration projects around the world. All employees are expected to travel to project sites, with a minimum of one week per year. Field-facing and technical roles spend significantly more time in the field.

KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Location: 

This position is a full-time contract

At this time, we are only accepting applications from Zambian nationals.

Location: Chiliabombwe, Zambia