Chief Geotechnical Expert- BID Position

SYSTRA; Delhi; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA India is seeking a Chief Geotechnical Expert to lead ground investigation and model development for major rail projects across the country. You will supervise drilling, lab testing, geophysical surveys and deliver the Geotechnical Baseline Report and subsurface model.

You will provide certified geotechnical design parameters for foundations, tunnels and underground stations, manage ground hazard mitigation, groundwater control, and coordinate with structural, civil and track teams.

Qualifications

• Graduate in Civil Engineering and Post Graduate in Soil/Rock/Geotechnical Engineering.
• Minimum 15 years post-qualification in detailed structural designs in infrastructure transport projects.
• 12 years experience reviewing geo-technical reports and foundation design for underground structures.
• Eligible Assignment: 2+ years deployment in geo-technical data interpretation and underground design.
• Experience in Rail-based passenger transit systems with high-speed/urban networks is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Ground Investigation and Model Development: plan and supervise site investigations and finalize GBR.
• Provide geotechnical design parameters for foundations, tunnels and underground stations.
• Lead ground hazard risk mitigation, including seismic liquefaction and settlement concerns.
• Direct groundwater management and drainage system design for tunnels and excavations.
• Coordinate with structural, civil and track teams, ensure technical assurance and sign-off.
• Develop Instrumentation and Monitoring plans for critical structures during construction.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Ground investigation

Foundation design

Earthworks planning

Risk mitigation

Education

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Post Graduate in Geotechnical Engineering

Job description

SYSTRA is one of the world's leading engineering and consulting groups specializing in public transport and mobility solutions. For over 65 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions develop by creating, improving and modernizing their transport infrastructure and systems.

Context

In India, SYSTRA is an international consulting and engineering company operating in the fields of Metros, High Speed Rail, Railways, Roads, Buildings, Urban planning, and Water & Environment for public and private organizations.

Our engineers work with passion to deliver the most reliable, cost-effective and made-to measures solutions allowing end users to move seamlessly.

SYSTRA’s unique expertise is backed with a reputation built through technical excellence delivered on projects. Thanks to our know-how of our employees spread across India, we are present at all stages from upstream studies to operation and maintenance. We provide a comprehensive solution to manage all kinds of missions: Detailed Design Consultant, Project Management, Independent checking services.

SYSTRA India’s comprehensive know-how and expertise in Railways provides a wide spectrum of solutions for any challenge (Building a new rail link, doubling the capacity, gauge conversion, upgrading a network, improving the performance of existing lines, etc.).

Our extensive experience encompasses, Bridges, station buildings, Depots, Earthwork & Track Works, Power Supply and Transmission, Signaling & Telecommunications, Rolling Stock, Utilities diversion and yard re-modelling etc.

Our services cover the entire life cycle of the project implementation.

Currently, we are bidding for Semi High Speed Rail projects across India. The position of Chief Geotechnical Expert is the key position in these BIDs.

Missions/Main Duties

• Lead Ground Investigation and Model Development: Define the scope, plan, and supervise all geotechnical and geological site investigations (drilling, lab testing, geophysical surveys) across the rail corridor. The ultimate responsibility is to develop and finalize the comprehensive, approved Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) and the Subsurface Ground Model.
• Foundation and Tunnel Design Parameters: Provide the certified geotechnical design parameters (bearing capacity, settlement, rock mass classifications, soil stiffness, shear strength, etc.) for all major structures, including viaduct foundations (piles/piers), tunnels ( lining design loads), and underground stations.
• Ground Hazard and Risk Mitigation: Act as the technical authority for identifying, assessing, and designing mitigation strategies for all geotechnical risks, such as seismic liquefaction, excessive settlement, ground heave, slope instability, and tunneling-induced ground movement in urban areas.
• Groundwater Management and Hydrogeology: Direct the hydrogeological assessment and the design of permanent and temporary groundwater control and drainage systems. This is critical for tunnel dewatering, preventing water ingress, and managing the impact of construction on local aquifers.
• Interface Management and Technical Assurance: Lead the coordination with the Structural, Civil, and Track experts to ensure seamless integration of the geotechnical design. The role includes technical assurance and final sign-off on all ground treatment, earthwork designs, and ground improvement techniques (e.g., compaction, grouting).
• Instrumentation and Monitoring Strategy: Develop and approve the detailed Instrumentation and Monitoring (I&M) plan for all critical structures (especially tunnels and deep excavations). This ensures ground behavior and structural response are continuously tracked against design predictions during and after construction.

Profile/Skills

• Qualification: Graduate in Civil Engineering and Post Gradute in Soil/Rock/Geotechnical Engineering with working knowledge of reading, writing and speaking in English
• Minimum Experience: 15 years post minimum qualification in detailed structural designs in Infrastructure sub sector related to Transport & Logistics (Roads and bridges; Ports; Shipyards; Airport; Urban Public Transport; Railway terminal & stations; Railway track incl. electrical & signalling system, tunnels, viaducts, bridges) [additional marks for more experience in Infrastructure projects]
• Relevant Experience: 12 years’ experience for Review / Preparation of Geo-Technical Investigation report and Foundation design and Temporary / Enabling works design for Underground in Infrastructure sub sector related to Transport & Logistics as Geo-technical/ Foundation Expert or equivalent position [additional marks for more experience; experience in position one level below allowed with less weightage]
• Eligible Assignment**(see below): Must have experience of 1 Eligible Assignment as Interpretation of Geo-technical data, Geo- technical report, Analysis of Underground Structures, design of Foundation for Viaduct / Bridges as Geo-technical / Foundation Expert or equivalent position for a full-time continuous deployment period not less than 2 years [additional marks for more Eligible Assignments; less weightage for position one level below]
• Rail-based Passenger Transit System shall mean
• High Speed Transit System / Regional Rail Transit System (with operational speed of 160kmh and above) OR
• Urban/Suburban/Intercity/Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) [excluding LRT with design PHPDT less than 20000/Tram/Monorail Systems]
• Shall mean experience of working as a personnel of General Consultant / Project Management Consultant / Employer’s Personnel in a work / project in a Rail based Passenger Transit System* with operational speed of 160 kmph or more comprising:
• Construction of Civil structures (at-grade/elevated/underground) AND
• Installation of Systems (Track, Rolling Stock, Traction & Power Supply, Signalling)

Including Detailed Design or Proof checking of designs; Bid Process Management; Project and Interface Management; Construction Supervision and System Installations and Testing & Commissioning

We commit to put people who join us at the heart of improving transportation and urban infrastructure efficiency. As we are growing, this is time to be a part of this challenging adventure. It’s not a job - it’s a career!