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Entry Level Mining Engineering Jobs in Irvine, CA

Entry Level Mining Engineering information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$35.4K

$95.7K

$152.4K

How much do entry level mining engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level mining engineering in Irvine, CA is $95,729.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,400.00 and $117,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level mining engineer?

Entry level mining engineers are recent graduates or newcomers to the mining engineering field who assist in the planning, design, and supervision of mining operations. They typically work under the guidance of senior engineers to ensure the safe and efficient extraction of minerals. Their responsibilities may include site inspections, conducting feasibility studies, using specialized software for mine design, and helping to develop environmental and safety protocols. Entry level roles provide valuable hands-on experience and a pathway to more advanced engineering positions in the mining industry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an entry level mining engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Mining Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in mining engineering or a related field, along with solid knowledge of geology, mathematics, and engineering principles. Familiarity with mining software such as Surpac, Vulcan, or AutoCAD, as well as understanding of safety regulations, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication help set candidates apart in collaborative and challenging environments. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable mining operations from the start of your career.

What are common challenges faced by entry level mining engineers during their first year?

Entry level mining engineers often face challenges such as adapting to remote work locations, understanding complex site-specific safety protocols, and transitioning theoretical knowledge into practical, on-site problem solving. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, new engineers must quickly learn to communicate effectively with experienced technicians, supervisors, and other engineers. The role also requires flexibility, as daily tasks can range from field inspections to data analysis and equipment monitoring, making time management and adaptability key to success.

What is the difference between Entry Level Mining Engineering vs Mining Technician?

AspectEntry Level Mining EngineeringMining Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related fieldAssociate degree or technical certification in mining technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, planning, and project management in minesFieldwork, equipment operation, and site support
Employer & Industry UsageMining companies, engineering firms, consultingMining operations, contractors, and maintenance teams

Entry Level Mining Engineering roles focus on planning, design, and project management within the mining industry, requiring a bachelor's degree. Mining Technicians typically perform fieldwork and equipment support, often with technical certifications. Both roles are essential in mining operations but differ in responsibilities and educational requirements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mining Engineering jobs in Irvine, CA?

The most popular types of Mining Engineering jobs in Irvine, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Mining Engineering jobs in Irvine, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Mining Engineering jobs in Irvine, CA are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Mining Engineering job openings in Irvine, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,729 per year, or $46 per hour.

Field Engineer 1 - Southern California

Kiewit

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Kiewit Corporation rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 140 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

21st of 80 rated construction


Job description

Requisition ID: 181962
Job Level: Entry Level
Home District/Group: Southern California District
Department: Field Operations
Market: Transportation
Employment Type: Full Time
Position Overview
As a Field Engineer, you bring your big ideas, commitment to top quality and unwavering work ethic. In return, we offer huge career and travel opportunities and the satisfaction of building "the next big thing" from the ground up. There's a reason Kiewit attracts the best: we offer fast-paced excitement and fulfillment you won't find anywhere else. Our mission is to make a difference and we offer opportunities for you to make a difference in our construction operations. Whether we’re upgrading waste water treatment plants, tunneling through mountains, increasing the capacity of reservoirs, or building bridges that connect communities, we depend on our passionate, skilled, and safety-driven construction professionals to get it done right.
District Overview
Kiewit’s leading infrastructure districts in California specialize in various types of work in the heavy civil, power, transportation, and water resource markets. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about infrastructure and committed to the construction industry rather than design. Kiewit’s Southern California District is currently headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA and has projects scattered throughout the Southern California Region. While much of our work is concentrated in California, we also have employees in projects in other states, offering opportunities to contribute to impactful infrastructure across the country.
Location
One of the many things that makes Kiewit’s culture unique is that we go where the work is, which exposes your career to abundant opportunities. We relocate our teams based on the work that is available, combined with the development plans, skill sets and career goals of each team member. This means your Kiewit adventure is custom-designed to meet our shared needs. Kiewit’s Southern California District is headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA, but we go where the work is! Job assignment location will be determined closer to your start date.
Responsibilities
Field Engineering:
  • Assist in interpretation of drawings and specifications for field crews and craft supervision
  • Perform quantity calculations by taking measurements and determining percentage of completed/installed materials and work
  • Assist in the preparation of work plans and work packages
  • Assist in field surveying and work layout support including elevation, control points, and compilation of as-built data
  • Assist in compiling, processing, and confirming daily labor timesheets
  • Assist in the preparation of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA’s)
  • Assist in providing solutions related to earth moving, transportation, roadways, water resources, and underground utilities and construction operations
  • Participate in jobsite safety reviews, toolbox meetings, mass safety meetings, and safety training
  • Order and schedule material deliveries
  • Plan, schedule, and coordinate work groups on the jobsite
  • Supervise field operations
Office Engineering:
  • Perform material takeoffs from drawings, specifications, and other contract documents
  • Perform basic engineering calculations and technical drafting to support field operations
  • Assist engineers to gather and prepare data for submittal or transmittal to the customer, vendors, subcontractors, governmental agencies, and internal use
  • Participate in the preparation of purchase orders and subcontracts, performing minor solicitations and purchasing as requested
  • Schedule maintenance and performing updates as directed by others
  • Assist in the maintenance of basic project recordkeeping and correspondence functions including daily reports, photographs, requests for information (RFIs), and memorandums
  • Enter data into the job cost system and participate in reviewing cost reports with jobsite management
  • Assist in generating change orders and as-built data to be reviewed by the Project Manager
  • Provide field support and supervise subcontractor operations
Estimating:
  • Assist in reviewing and analyzing historical data relative to the project, incorporating various productions and costs appropriate in preparation of a bid
  • Complete a plan and specification review for an assigned project, assessing the risk areas and bringing them to the attention of the Senior Estimator
  • Complete material and quantity takeoffs according to bid documents
Qualifications
  • Must be willing and able to work in the heavy Civil, Construction Industry
  • Bachelor’s Degree in a construction-related field of engineering, examples are civil engineering, mechanical, construction management, mining, geotechnical
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.5
  • Willingness to travel and relocate to small and large cities as business requires as we operate on a national scale, not regional
  • Ability to freely access all points of a construction site in wide-ranging climates and environment
  • Highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative
  • Strong work ethic, willing to do what it takes to get the job done right the first time including working rotating schedules, shift work, or weekend work as required by projects
  • Demonstrated commitment to ethics and integrity
  • Passion for safety, with the ability to help us ensure that nobody gets hurt
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Team player with the ability to work independently to meet deadlines, goals and objectives
  • Strong time management ability and attention to detail
  • Must have a valid Driver’s License
  • Reliable transportation to and from work
  • Previous internship experience is preferred
  • Ability to begin or continue working with our company without requiring sponsorship for employment now or in the future
Other common names for this role: Office Engineer, Project Engineer, Field Engineer, Engineer 1
Other Requirements:
  • Regular, reliable attendance
  • Work productively and meet deadlines timely
  • Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
  • Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
  • Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
Base Compensation: 85,000 - 95,000
(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)
We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

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About Kiewit

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering's Design-Build team is driving clients to turn to Kiewit during all stages of design-build projects. Through our integrated design and construction approach, our multi-disciplinary team works together to improve schedule, control costs and minimize risk. Our construction-focused engineers work collaboratively with our estimators and builders to design solutions that are innovative, constructible, and designed with a focus on safety. Clients benefit from the proven processes and tools used by Kiewit to minimize project risk. We are an in-house resource that supports projects throughout the company. Our staff shares experiences gained, innovative concepts, and best practices for all projects that we support.

Industry

Construction materials wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1884