Forward, Deployed Engineer

Job description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description

Purpose

The Forward, Deployed Engineer works alongside the business to identify opportunities and deliver digital solutions that create operational value across the mine value chain. Combining business analysis, solution design, data and integrations, AI, and software engineering, the role engages stakeholders to understand problems and requirements, helps translate operational needs into scalable, supportable and secure solutions, connects systems and turns data into trusted business assets, and applies AI and modern software engineering to build, deploy and support digital products, in alignment with architectural standards and best practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Business Analysis

• Engage stakeholders across operations and IT to understand challenges, surface opportunities, and help elicit and manage clear, prioritised requirements.
• Analyse and map business processes to translate operational needs into practical digital solutions that improve how work gets done.
• Support change and adoption, and track value and benefits realisation so that solutions deliver measurable operational outcomes.

2. Solution Design

• Design and build supportable, secure solutions that align with enterprise architecture standards and the site’s technology landscape, with guidance from senior engineers on complex decisions.
• Contribute to technology and platform evaluations, applying reuse, buy or build guidance that balances capability, cost and long-term supportability.
• Apply security and integration patterns that protect data and connect systems reliably across the enterprise.

3. Data & Integrations

• Build and maintain data pipelines and integrations that connect business and operational technology systems and keep data flowing reliably.
• Apply data engineering and database skills to model, store and transform data into trusted, well-governed business assets.
• Deliver analytics and reports that turn operational data into actionable insight for decision-making across the value chain.

4. AI Solutions

• Apply generative AI and machine learning to improve productivity, decision quality and operational performance.
• Develop and deploy AI and knowledge-engineering solutions grounded in trusted enterprise data and domain knowledge.
• Follow responsible AI practices and measure value delivery so that solutions are safe, ethical and beneficial.

5. Software Engineering

• Build, deploy and support digital products that solve real business problems and create operational value.
• Apply sound software design, coding standards and quality engineering to deliver reliable, maintainable applications.
• Use DevOps practices and modern platforms to automate delivery and support secure, stable operation in production.

Qualifications

• Minimum Grade 12 Certificate.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or information systems.
• Relevant cloud, data or software engineering certifications will be an added advantage.
• All academic qualifications and results must be verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ hands-on experience in solution delivery as a developer, implementation consultant or engineer across a range of platforms.
• Business or systems analysis or developer background, with the ability to elicit requirements, map processes and translate operational needs into practical solutions.
• Data engineering skills across databases, SQL and system integration, with a good understanding of data governance and trusted data assets.
• Experience delivering analytics and applying AI or machine learning, including generative AI, with awareness of responsible AI practices.
• Proficiency in one or more languages (C#, Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), with knowledge of SOLID principles, design patterns and manual or automated testing.
• Experience with Git, JIRA, DevOps and CI/CD pipelines, and with Agile delivery, UX and design-thinking methods, backed by strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to design supportable and secure solutions aligned to enterprise architecture standards, with sound reuse, buy or build decision-making and guidance on complex cases.
• Open-pit mining experience and knowledge of mining and resources applications (fleet management, process, smelter, safety and data-collection systems) an advantage; member of ICTAZ or EIZ an advantage.

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Understands mining operations and applies product thinking to solve real business problems.
• Breaks down problems using structured, systems-level thinking.
• Makes sound, pragmatic decisions under changing priorities, seeking guidance where needed.
• Delivers iteratively through agile methods with an innovation and continuous-learning mindset.
• Communicates clearly through good technical writing and presentation skills.
• Collaborates effectively with stakeholders and team members to drive outcomes.