Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd.; Newcastle City Council; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working Policy

Income Protection Insurance

Parental and Volunteer Leave

Training and Development Opportunities

Additional Superannuation 2.5%

Job summary

KCB is expanding its Newcastle Geotechnical Engineering team and seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead technically challenging tailings, dam, and mine-waste projects. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, engage directly with clients, and help grow our Newcastle presence while contributing to KCB's Australian and international success.

The role offers leadership of major projects, mentoring opportunities, and a pathway to further enhance client relationships within the mining,

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) or equivalent.
• 15+ years in geotechnical, tailings, dam, mine waste, or related fields.
• Proven experience delivering tailings, dam, and geotechnical projects in consulting/mining.
• Strong leadership and client engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, design, and management of tailings and dam projects.
• Provide senior technical leadership and reviews for complex geotechnical work.
• Mentor engineers and develop client relationships.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and design documentation.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Team management

Education

Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) degree

Chartered status or eligible

Tools

GeoStudio

SLOPE/W

SEEP/W

Rocscience

PLAXIS

FLAC

GoldSim

Muk3D

Job description

KCB is a multidisciplinary engineering, geoscience, and environmental consulting firm grounded in our values of Passion, Integrity, and Excellence. With teams across North America, South America, Australasia, and Europe, we bring together global technical knowledge, local insight, and a shared commitment to solving complex challenges that matter.

Guided by our long‑term ambition of Globally Connected Excellence and our purpose of Sustaining the Future, we work alongside our clients to deliver lasting solutions that strengthen resilience and benefit future generations.

We're growing our Newcastle Geotechnical Engineering team and are looking for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to help deliver technically challenging projects across tailings and waste storage facilities, water management structures, dams, and mine infrastructure.

You will leverage your technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and relationship‑building skills to deliver significant tailings, dam, mine waste, and geotechnical projects. In addition, you will play a pivotal role in developing new client relationships, growing our presence across the Newcastle region, and contributing to KCB's success throughout Australia and internationally.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced consulting engineer who is recognised for their technical expertise and trusted by clients to solve complex engineering challenges.

The successful candidate will be comfortable leading multidisciplinary teams, engaging directly with clients, developing new business opportunities, and providing senior technical review and direction across a diverse portfolio of projects.

This is a senior leadership position within our Newcastle team, offering the opportunity to lead significant projects, build valued client relationships, mentor developing engineers, and contribute to the continued growth of KCB's Australian business.

What you’ll do

As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, you will:

• Lead and contribute to the planning, design, assessment, and management of tailings storage facilities, mine waste facilities, water storage dams, and associated earthworks infrastructure.
• Provide senior technical leadership and review for complex geotechnical, tailings, and dam engineering projects.
• For the right candidate with appropriate experience, fulfill Engineer of Record roles for operational facilities as part of a larger technical project team.
• Undertake and oversee:
  • Slope stability assessments
  • Seepage and groundwater analyses
  • Tailings deposition modelling
  • Dam safety and risk assessments
  • Closure and rehabilitation planning
  • Material characterisation and interpretation of laboratory and field investigation data
• Lead geotechnical investigations, field programs, site inspections, construction monitoring, and QA/QC activities.
• Prepare and review technical reports, design documentation, specifications, proposals, and engineering studies.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams to deliver projects safely, efficiently, and to a high technical standard.
• Provide project management leadership including planning, budgeting, scheduling, resource coordination, and contract management.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Identify, pursue, and help secure new business opportunities across the mining, resources, and water sectors.
• Lead or contribute to proposals, tenders, and contract negotiations.
• Mentor and coach graduate, junior, and intermediate engineers, supporting their professional development and technical growth.
• Promote technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the business.
• Work in accordance with KCB's Quality Management System and Health & Safety requirements.
• Collaborate with teams across Australia and KCB's global network.

What You Bring

We are seeking a highly capable engineer with a strong track record in project delivery, client engagement, and leadership.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Degree in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) or equivalent engineering qualification.
• Approximately 15+ years' experience in geotechnical, tailings, dam, mine waste, or related engineering disciplines.
• Proven experience delivering tailings, dam, and geotechnical projects within a consulting or mining environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Tailings storage facility design and management
  • Dam and embankment engineering
  • Mine waste management facilities
  • Closure and rehabilitation planning
  • Geotechnical investigations and construction support
• Strong understanding of relevant industry guidelines and standards including ANCOLD, GISTM, ICOLD, and CDA.
• Experience using geotechnical analysis software such as GeoStudio, SLOPE/W, SEEP/W, Rocscience, PLAXIS, FLAC, GoldSim, Muk3D, or similar packages.
• Excellent technical report writing, review, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• A proven ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Experience preparing proposals, developing scopes of work, and contributing to business development activities.
• A genuine interest in mentoring and developing less experienced engineers.
• Chartered status (CPEng, RPEQ, NER or equivalent), or eligibility to obtain registration, will be highly regarded.

Why Join KCB?

At KCB, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of the mining and water industry's most significant and technically challenging projects while building your career within a recognised global consultancy.

Along with continued career development, KCB offers:

• Additional Superannuation: 2.5% extra to secure your future.
• Income Protection Insurance: Peace of mind for you and your family.
• Parental and Volunteer Leave: Support for your personal and community commitments.
• Opportunities for purchasing additional leave.
• Novated Leasing: Flexible vehicle leasing options.
• Hybrid Working Policy: Balance work and life with our flexible approach.
• Social and Mental Well-being Initiatives: Programs to support your overall well-being.
• Training and Development Opportunities: Continuous growth and learning.
• Additional incentives may be available dependent on the performance of the company, business unit and individual.