Principal Geochemist

Job description

Principal Geochemist ITASCA North America | U.S.-based About the role ITASCA North America is seeking a Principal Geochemist to provide technical leadership, grow client relationships, mentor staff, and strengthen our geochemistry practice across the U.S. and North America. This role is suited for a senior geochemistry professional with strong technical credibility, practical judgment, and experience leading complex mining and environmental projects. Mining experience is strongly preferred, particularly in water quality modeling; geochemical characterization of mine waste, ore, and tailings; acid rock drainage; metal leaching; closure; and environmental support across the mine life cycle. Why this role matters Geochemistry plays a critical role in how mining projects are planned, permitted, operated, closed, and monitored over the long term. As a Principal Geochemist, you will help clients understand how mined materials, water, geology, and environmental conditions interact, and what those interactions mean for water quality, risk, mine planning, waste management, permitting, operations, and closure. You will also help grow ITASCA North America’s integrated consulting practice by building trusted client relationships, mentoring staff, guiding technical teams, and connecting geochemistry with our hydrogeology, geomechanics, engineering geology, and numerical modeling capabilities. What you’ll do Provide senior technical leadership on mining geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, mine water, and environmental projects. Lead and review work involving geochemical characterization, water quality modeling, acid rock drainage, metal leaching, mine waste, tailings, pit lake modeling, seepage, closure planning, permitting support, and impact assessment. Guide conceptual geochemical and hydrogeochemical models that connect source materials, water-rock interaction, transport pathways, and potential receptors. Design, direct, and review field and laboratory programs, including static and kinetic testing, water sampling, material characterization, and geochemical data collection. Translate complex geochemical information into practical recommendations for mine planning, environmental management, permitting, operations, and closure. Serve as a trusted advisor and senior client contact. Develop client relationships, identify opportunities, and lead proposals, scopes, budgets, schedules, and project strategy. Mentor technical staff and support high-quality project delivery through review, coaching, and knowledge sharing. What you bring Required Advanced degree in geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, environmental engineering, chemistry, or a related field. 20+ years of relevant professional experience. Proven technical excellence and sound professional judgment in geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, or environmental geoscience. Strong experience with mining-related geochemistry, including water quality prediction, geochemical characterization, acid rock drainage, metal leaching, mine waste, tailings, and closure. Experience leading, managing, directing, and reviewing complex technical projects. Strong client-facing communication skills. Experience mentoring staff and contributing to business development. Strongly valued Established client relationships in mining, environmental, water resources, or related sectors. Experience developing and winning consulting work. Experience with PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench, MIN3P, and similar geochemical modeling tools. Experience with groundwater/surface water quality, mine water management, pit lake chemistry, waste rock, tailings, heap leach facilities, and closure systems. Experience integrating geochemistry with hydrogeology, geomechanics, engineering geology, numerical modeling, permitting, and regulatory engagement. Professional registration by a recognized organization, or ability to obtain registration where required. Recognition in the geochemistry, mining, mine water, or environmental consulting community. Why ITASCA For more than 45 years, ITASCA has helped clients solve complex geomechanics, hydrogeology, and engineering geology challenges through technical depth, practical judgment, and innovation. At ITASCA, you will work on challenging projects where standard approaches are often not enough. Our work combines field experience, scientific and engineering interpretation, advanced analysis, and state-of-the-art ITASCA software to help clients make better decisions. We are a collaborative, collegial, employee-owned company where technical excellence, curiosity, mentorship, mutual respect, and shared success matter. This is a place for senior professionals who want meaningful influence with clients, colleagues, and the direction of a growing North American consulting practice. Location and travel This is a full-time position based in the United States. The preferred location is Denver/Lakewood, Colorado, but other U.S. locations, including hybrid/remote work options, may be considered for the right candidate. Travel will be expected for client meetings, site visits, conferences, business development, and internal collaboration. ITASCA may provide employment-based visa sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, O-1) for this role to candidates already in the U.S., subject to business needs, candidate qualifications, and applicable immigration regulations. Compensation and benefits We value your contributions and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: Competitive salary commensurate with experience Performance bonuses, including cash and company stock Health, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family Generous paid time off from day one Paid holidays 401(k) with company match Paid parental leave Company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance The anticipated salary range is $150,000–$200,000. Final compensation will depend on experience and qualifications. Take the next step in your career and become a valued member of our employee-owned company. Join us at ITASCA, where innovation meets excellence! ITASCA is an equal opportunity employer, a drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.