Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Coastal Projects

Placements24; London Borough of Newham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical insurance

Retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a distinguished Principal Geotechnical Engineer for an international engineering consultancy with a strong presence in London. You will oversee geotechnical aspects of major coastal and waterfront projects, lead investigations, and mentor a team of engineers.

Deep expertise in marine structures, foundation design, and coastal erosion control is required. The role demands leadership, client liaison, and delivery of high-quality reports and designs in compliance with global

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering with coastal/marine focus.
• Pr. Eng registration with ECSA (essential).
• 12+ years of relevant coastal/marine experience with leadership roles.
• Experience with international codes (DNV, ISO, PIANC).
• Willingness to undertake fieldwork, including offshore assignments.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical investigations, analysis, and design for coastal and marine projects.
• Develop foundation designs for ports, jetties, seawalls, and offshore platforms.
• Perform advanced soil-structure modeling for coastal environments.
• Manage site investigations including marine geophysics, CPT, and sampling.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical design reports, specifications, and guidelines.
• Provide mentorship and technical direction to geotechnical engineers and teams.
• Liaise with clients, regulators, marine architects, and project stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with international coastal/geotechnical standards.
• Contribute to business development and client relationships.
• Oversee site supervision during critical geotechnical and marine works.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Report writing

Client liaison

Fieldwork

Offshore experience

Education

Master's or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS 2D/3D

GRLWEAP

GeoStudio

Job description

About the Role

A leading international engineering consultancy with a significant presence in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA, is seeking a distinguished Principal Geotechnical Engineer. This role is pivotal for overseeing the geotechnical aspects of major coastal and waterfront development projects, requiring specialized knowledge of marine structures, foundation design in challenging soil conditions, and coastal erosion control. The successful candidate will provide expert technical leadership, manage complex geotechnical investigations, and mentor a team of skilled professionals. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-profile projects within a dynamic and growing sector. Our client is committed to innovation, sustainability, and technical excellence in all its endeavors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the geotechnical investigation, analysis, and design for complex coastal and marine engineering projects.
• Develop specialized foundation designs for structures such as ports, jetties, seawalls, and offshore platforms.
• Perform advanced numerical modeling for soil-structure interaction, slope stability, and liquefaction analysis in coastal environments.
• Manage comprehensive site investigations, including marine geophysics, CPT, and specialized sampling techniques.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical design reports, specifications, and construction guidelines.
• Provide expert technical direction and mentorship to geotechnical engineers and site investigation teams.
• Liaise effectively with clients, regulatory bodies, marine architects, and other project stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with international standards for coastal engineering and geotechnical design.
• Contribute to business development, proposal preparation, and client relationship management.
• Conduct site supervision for critical geotechnical works and marine construction phases.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a related field, with a strong focus on coastal or marine geotechnics.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, with a significant portion dedicated to coastal/marine projects and leadership roles.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration with ECSA is essential.
• Extensive experience with advanced geotechnical software (e.g., PLAXIS 2D/3D, GRLWEAP, GeoStudio).
• In-depth knowledge of soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and offshore geotechnology principles.
• Experience with relevant international codes and standards (e.g., DNV, ISO, PIANC).
• Proven ability to manage large, complex projects in challenging environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Experience in coastal process analysis and erosion management is highly desirable.
• Willingness to undertake fieldwork, potentially including offshore assignments.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, and a robust retirement fund. This role presents exceptional opportunities for professional growth, international project exposure, and career advancement within a globally respected firm. Join our expert team and shape the future of coastal infrastructure in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA.