About Maaden

Maaden, established in 1997, is one of the fastest-growing mining companies in the world and the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East. We are leading the development of the mining industry to become the third pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economy by building a world-class, unique, and fully integrated mining value chain. We are pleased to share an exciting opportunity for the below mentioned position. This role offers a chance to contribute to our ambitious growth and play a key part in shaping the future of mining in the Kingdom.

Job purpose

The Lead Specialist – Advanced Sensors is responsible for defining and executing advanced sensing and integrated interpretation workflows that accelerate discovery and improve targeting for base metals (e.g., Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb) and critical minerals. The role leads selection and deployment of sensing technologies and builds repeatable, scalable workflows that convert sensor signals into drill-ready targets with quantified uncertainty.

Key Accountabilities

1. Own the advanced sensing roadmap and translate exploration priorities into sensing programs and technical work packages.
2. Develop integrated interpretation products (prospectivity maps, alteration/structure layers, ranked target lists) and defend them in technical reviews.
3. Support innovation pilots with universities, OEMs, and startups; transition successful pilots into routine exploration workflows.
4. Define the annual advanced sensing plan aligned with prioritized mineral systems 
5. Evaluate innovative solutions and select sensing solutions across hyperspectral/multispectral/thermal, SAR/InSAR, LiDAR, magnetics, gravity, radio metrics, airborne/ground EM (AEM/TEM/MT), and downhole geophysics.
6. Create decision criteria for technology adoption (value, feasibility, HSE, data quality, scalability, ESG).
7. Partner with digital/data teams to ensure governance, metadata standards, and reusable data products.
8. Lead technical work with universities/research centers for method development and validation.
9. Scope and manage proof-of-concept pilots with startups/OEMs; define success criteria and scale-up pathways.
10. Train and mentor exploration staff on sensing interpretation, QA/QC, and practical field validation methods.

Minimum Qualification, Experience and Competencies

Minimum Qualification

• MSc or PhD in Geophysics, Remote Sensing, Geology, Earth Systems, Geospatial Science, or Data Science (PhD preferred).

Minimum Experience

• 10+ years of relevant experience in mineral exploration technology, geophysics and/or remote sensing.
• Proven track record of generating targets that progressed through stage gates (field validation to drill testing) or materially improved targeting performance.
• Hands-on experience with contractor-managed surveys and deliverable QA/QC (airborne or satellite, plus at least one geophysical domain).
• Strong background in base metals and/or critical minerals exploration across varied terrains (arid/regolith experience is a plus).

Maaden High Performance Competencies

• Leadership
• Achievement drive and results orientated
• Communication
• Developing others
• Teamwork & collaboration
• Analytical thinking

Skills

• Remote sensing: hyperspectral mineral mapping, spectral libraries, atmospheric correction concepts, and validation/ground-truthing workflows.
• Geophysics: survey design fundamentals, processing/inversion concepts, and mineral-system interpretation for targeting.
• Geospatial analytics: advanced GIS (ArcGIS/QGIS), Python (preferred), and reproducible analysis practices.
• Data fusion: integration of geology, Geochem, structures, and multi-sensor layers into coherent targeting products.
• Communication: concise technical reporting and executive-ready storytelling for target rationale and risk.