Geotechnical and Materials Engineer, Southern Africa

CDM Smith; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Geotechnical and Materials Engineer to oversee geotechnical investigations for a major water-conveyance feasibility study along a long-distance pipeline. You will evaluate subsurface conditions, dolomitic risk, and materials suitability for foundations, backfill, and structures across the route.

The role requires a master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering with 15+ years post-qualification experience and professional registration.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and managing large geotechnical field/lab investigations.
• Expertise in geology interpretation for buried pipelines and hydraulic structures.
• Knowledge of foundation engineering, earthworks, backfill, aggregates, and seismic considerations.

Responsibilities

• Review geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological, seismic, and materials data for route and structures.
• Lead feasibility-stage investigation programs including boreholes, pits, in-situ tests, sampling and lab work.
• Assess soils/rock properties for pipeline foundations, backfill, and concrete aggregates.
• Evaluate geotechnical risks from dolomitic terrain, subsidence, seismic events, river crossings, and pump stations.
• Provide geotechnical parameters, foundations recommendations, and cost inputs for preliminary design.
• Prepare Geotechnical & Materials Report and coordinate with other discipline teams.

Skills

Geotechnical field programs

Engineering geology

Foundation engineering

Risk assessment & cost estimation

Technical reporting

Education

Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Job description

Company Overview

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Job Description

Project Overview

The Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) is seeking consulting services to conduct a technical feasibility study and produce the preliminary design for the water conveyance system of the Lesotho to Botswana Water Transfer Scheme. The bulk water transfer scheme is intended to mobilize water in Lesotho and convey it through South Africa to Botswana, while supplying users along the route. The study will assess and integrate technical, financial, environmental, regulatory, institutional, social, and climate considerations to support financing and implementation decisions.

The assignment covers route confirmation, demand and socioeconomic assessment, topographical and cadastral surveys, geotechnical and materials investigations, climate risk assessment, hydraulic modelling and optimization, preliminary design of pipelines, pump stations, reservoirs and supporting infrastructure, cost estimation, economic analysis, and preparation of detailed-design terms of reference and a Record of Implementation Decision.

Position Description

CDM Smith is seeking a Geotechnical and Materials Engineer to plan, oversee, interpret, and report the geotechnical and materials investigations for the anticipated feasibility study. The position will focus on subsurface and material conditions along the long-distance pipeline route and at major structures, including risks associated with dolomitic terrain, undermined areas, subsidence, seismicity, foundations, backfill, and construction materials.

• Professional engagement is contingent on project award and client approval.

Responsibilities

• Review existing geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological, seismic, and materials information for the conveyance route and structures.
• Develop and oversee the feasibility-stage investigation program, including boreholes, test pits, in-situ testing, sampling, laboratory testing, and borrow-source investigations.
• Assess engineering properties of soils and rock and determine suitability for pipeline foundations, structural foundations, backfill, road or platform materials, and concrete aggregates.
• Evaluate geotechnical risks associated with dolomitic terrain, Free State Goldfields mining areas, subsidence, seismic events, river crossings, major cuttings, pump stations, and break-pressure tanks.
• Provide geotechnical parameters, foundation recommendations, stability assessments, quantities, and construction-risk inputs for preliminary design and cost estimating.
• Prepare the Geotechnical and Materials Report and coordinate findings with pipeline, structural, roads, survey, hydraulic, and cost specialists.

Skills & Abilities

• Design and management of large-scale geotechnical field and laboratory investigation programs.
• Engineering-geology and geotechnical interpretation for buried pipelines and hydraulic structures.
• Knowledge of foundation engineering, earthworks, backfill, borrow materials, aggregate testing, and seismic considerations.
• Ability to translate investigation results into defensible design parameters, risk statements, and cost inputs.
• Strong quality, health and safety, contractor-management, and technical-reporting capabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification of a master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering or relevant fields
• 15 years post qualification work experience in geotechnical studies for projects concerning large hydraulic structures, such as water supply pipelines, pump stations and canals.
• He/she should be registered as a professional engineer with a recognized statutory engineering professional body

Preferred Qualifications

• Geotechnical experience on long-distance bulk-water pipelines or pump-station infrastructure in Lesotho, Botswana, or South Africa.
• Demonstrated experience with dolomitic ground, sinkhole or subsidence risk, and infrastructure traversing undermined mining areas, particularly in South Africa.
• Knowledge of regionally applicable investigation, laboratory, earthworks, pipeline-foundation, and materials standards.
• Experience identifying and evaluating borrow sources and concrete aggregates along large linear infrastructure corridors.
• Experience deriving seismic design parameters for water-conveyance structures in Southern Africa.
• Current professional registration that can be readily verified in a relevant L-BWT country or another recognized statutory jurisdiction.

Amount Of Travel Required

20% - 40%

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as "CDM Smith") reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No - We are not open to sponsoring for this position