Geotechnical Design Manager

Ferrovial Services Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferrovial in Sydney seeks a Geotechnical Design Manager to lead the geotechnical design group on major highway projects. You will set technical direction, review complex reports, and coordinate field and laboratory investigations.

The role requires 15+ years of experience, a PE license or progress toward registration, and proven leadership. You will ensure designs meet Ferrovial standards and deliver safe, durable infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Geological Engineering required; Master’s preferred.
• PE license or progress toward professional registration preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in large-scale highway/geotechnical design.
• Experience with geotechnical design software and analyses for foundation, ground movement, slope stability, lab tests.
• Strong written and verbal communication and coordination in fast-paced projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction to the geotechnical design group from concept through design.
• Review geotechnical reports and design calculations for major highway projects.
• Coordinate field and laboratory investigations and oversee drilling work.
• Lead geotechnical engineering team during design and construction phases.
• Ensure compliance with Ferrovial standards and industry guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Geotechnical design

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Geological Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

PE license or progression toward US registration

Tools

Geotechnical design software

Job description

Join Ferrovial: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

Are you ready to elevate your career with a global leader in infrastructure solving complex problems and generating a positive outcome on people’s lives? At Ferrovial, we are not just a company; we are a community of innovators and trailblazers. Ferrovial is also leading the development of the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport. Ferrovial shares trade under the ticker symbol FER on two stock markets: Nasdaq in the U.S. (Nasdaq100 Index) and the Spanish Stock Exchanges (IBEX 35). Ferrovial is included in globally recognized sustainability indices such as the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index. We operate in more than 15 countries and have a workforce of over 22,000 professionals worldwide. Ferrovial’s activity is carried out through our business units, including Highways, Airports, Construction, and Energy.

Ferrovial Construction is internationally recognized for its capacity to design and build civil engineering and construction projects, mainly in large transportation infrastructure. Its track-record to date includes more than 304 miles of tunnels, 11,930 miles of roads (including 2,485 miles of highways), 2920 miles of railroad lines (including 434 miles of high-speed railroads) and 16,994 miles of road maintenance and repair.

Why Ferrovial?

• Global presence, local impact: Be part of a company that is shaping the future of infrastructure worldwide, with challenging roles and projects that make a real difference.
• Collaborative excellence:Work alongside talented professionals in a collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions are valued.
• Inclusive Culture: Thrive in an innovative and respectful workplace that values every voice, celebrates what makes us unique and turns differences into innovation.
• Career growth: Benefit from global and cross-business unit mobility, with development processes designed to ensure your professional growth.
• Compelling benefits and employee wellbeing: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that rewards your hard work and dedication and take advantage of initiatives designed to support your physical and psychological health.
• Productivity tools: Utilize cutting-edge tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance your productivity and efficiency.

Job Description

Overview:

The Geotechnical Design Manager is responsible for managing geotechnical design activities for major civil infrastructure projects. This position provides technical direction to the geotechnical design group including specialized Geotechnical Consultants and in-house geotechnical team members, supports geotechnical analyses and design reviews, coordinates field and laboratory investigations, and helps ensure geotechnical design work is completed accurate, on schedule, and in accordance with Ferrovial Group standards, applicable industry standards, and project requirements.

Responsibilities and Duties

Geotechnical Design Management and Technical Direction

• Manage a team of Project Geotechnical Engineers during the design phase and the construction phase Provide technical direction to the geotechnical design group from concept through design basis and detailed design.
• Ensure geotechnical designs for roadway embankments and subgrade, earth slopes, bridge foundations, earth retaining structures, and foundations for minor structures are in accordance with Ferrovial Group standards and other applicable industry standards.
• Ensure geotechnical principles and analyses are appropriately understood and applied in design by junior staff.
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Design Review, Analysis, and Quality Support

• Review the work of geotechnical engineers and outside Consultants engaged in project development, engineering, and design.
• Review of specialized geotechnical reports (with special emphasis on roadway works), including ground characterization, foundations of bridges or other minor structures, temporary support of excavations, required ground improvement, embankment and slope design, subgrade design under pavement, retaining wall design, sound wall foundation design, soil and rock reinforcement, design of underground excavations, …etc.
• Oversee geotechnical evaluation of subsurface soil and rock strata using applicable ASTM and local industry standards for field and laboratory testing.
• Interpret test data and perform engineering classification of subsurface soil and rock conditions.
• Review and support preparation of geotechnical design calculations, technical notes, reports, proposals, and bill of quantities for geotechnical items.
• Ensure that geotechnical inputs to the BOQ are precise, well defined, back-up is clearly explained, and there are no relevant concepts missing. Assist other departments when necessary to explain and address the rationale or fundamentals for such inputs.
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Project Coordination and Field/Laboratory Oversight

• Coordinate geotechnical projects, including preparing boring location plans, supporting drilling operation documentation, and coordinating related project tasks.
• Supervise geotechnical drilling work, field investigations, and laboratory testing.
• Coordinate with project managers, senior/regional engineers, field teams, laboratory personnel, consultants, and design teams to support timely and accurate project deliverables.
• Support project schedules and budgets related to geotechnical design and investigation activities.

Leadership and Team Support

• Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge and skills.
• Provide technical guidance and support for geotechnical design staff and project teams as needed.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, effective communication, negotiation skills, conflict resolution, engineering judgment, integrity, ethics, and commitment to high standards.
• At Project level, support the hiring process of other Geotechnical Engineers who may be required to be engaged during the Detailed Design phase as part of the design Team
• Support the Construction Technical Office, as applicable during the construction phase, for geotechnical related matters
• Other unlisted duties will be assigned.
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Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or related field is required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or progress toward professional registration/certification in the United States, is preferred.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in large-scale highway construction engineering, geotechnical engineering, and/or design is required.
• Experience with geotechnical design software and analyses related to foundation design, wall design, ground movement, slope stability, subsurface exploration, field investigations, and laboratory testing is preferred.
• Ability to review and interpret construction documents, drawings, specifications, technical plans, geotechnical reports, and engineering information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to coordinate effectively in a fast-paced project environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to high standards, integrity, ethics, leadership, and quality.

The Statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Ferrovial provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Ferrovial complies with applicable local, state and federal laws governing nondiscrimination in employment at each location the Company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Seize the challenge. Move the world together! Innovative, creative, respectful, and diverse are some of the ways we describe ourselves. We are motivated by challenges, and we collaborate across our business units to move the world together. Your journey to a fulfilling career starts here!

Ferrovial is an equal opportunity employer. We treat all jobs applications equally, regardless of gender, color, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, covered veteran status or protected genetic information (each, a “Protected Class”), or any other protected class in accordance with applicable laws.

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