Geotechnical Engineer

Zutari; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Zutari’s Ground Engineering team seeks a Geotechnical Engineer with practical geotechnical analysis and design experience. The role involves delivering safe, buildable foundations for infrastructure across Africa and the Middle East, and collaborating across disciplines.

You will work with a strong cohort of geotechnical and geology experts, contribute to business development, and mentor junior staff while supporting projects locally and internationally.

Qualifications

• BEng or BSc degree in Civil Engineering.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng. or equivalent) or progress evidence.
• Post-graduate qualification in Geotechnical Engineering beneficial.
• Minimum of 3 years postgraduate Geotechnical Engineering experience in Transport.
• Solid understanding of soil and rock mechanics.
• Experience in foundation design, slope stabilization, ground improvement and earthworks.

Responsibilities

• Partner with a leading team of geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists.
• Provide technical delivery and project management with focus on problem solving and design.
• Liaise with other design disciplines to maintain design coordination.
• Win work for the geotechnical team and build client relationships.
• Travel periodically to projects in SA, rest of Africa and the Middle East.
• Apply new knowledge and develop approaches to solve complex ground problems.
• Ensure timely delivery of geotechnical deliverables within scope and budget.
• Mentor junior geotechnical resources and support BD activities.

Skills

Geotechnical analysis

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

BEng or BSc in Civil Engineering

Job description

At Zutari, we understand that every strong structure begins with a deep understanding of the ground beneath it. Our Ground Engineering capability provides innovative and reliable solutions that transform complex ground conditions into safe, stable, and buildable foundations for infrastructure across Africa and the Middle East. We are looking for problem solvers who thrive on complexity and are motivated to turn uncertainty into engineered certainty.

We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset, who are motivated by doing the right thing, getting things done and share a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co-create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy. The Zutari Ground Engineering Team is looking to appoint a Geotechnical Engineer with knowledge and experience in geotechnical analysis and design. Our team offers the opportunity to work across a broad range of projects ranging from Energy, Transport, Water, Built Environment and Resources. This role provides a great opportunity for developing a career across a broad spectrum of ground engineering solutions. The successful incumbent will join a strong cohort of Geotechnical and Geology experts working, collaborating in developing industry leading solutions. This position will provide the successful incumbent with a broad range of project experience both locally and internationally, and further develop a professional career with a multi‑disciplinary international engineering consultancy.

Role Responsibilities

• Partner with an established, leading team of geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists.
• Provide a mix of technical delivery and project management, with significant focus on problem solving, analysis and design.
• Liaise with other design disciplines to develop and maintain design coordination.
• Be responsible for winning work for the broader geotechnical team, as well as building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Periodic travel to projects in South Africa, Rest of Africa and the Middle East will be necessary.
• Apply new knowledge, deliver and devise new approaches to solving complex ground problems.
• Ensure timely delivery of geotechnical deliverables within scope and budget.
• Establish a clear understanding of the project goals and stakeholder expectations, managing client expectations to ensure delivery meets expectations.
• Be a team player willing to collaborate across multiple disciplines and international geographies.
• Resolve project level issues independently.
• Mentor junior geotechnical and geology resources.
• Support business development activities.
• Motivate the project team towards the determined objectives by generating enthusiasm for the project and maintaining a continued personal interest in achieving set targets.

Minimum Requirements

• BEng or BSc degree in Civil Engineering.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng. or equivalent) or clear evidence of registration progress.
• Post‑graduate qualification in Geotechnical Engineering highly beneficial.
• Minimum of 3 years postgraduate experience in Geotechnical Engineering within the Transport discipline.
• Solid understanding of soil and rock mechanics essential.
• Experience in the design of foundations for buildings and structures, slope stabilisation and ground improvement, earthworks and retention structures.
• Experience in foundation and pile design, settlement, earth pressure, slope stability and bearing capacity highly beneficial.
• Skills and experience in geotechnical analysis and design.
• Solid knowledge of design standards.
• Skills in geotechnical analysis including application of the latest analysis methods and software.
• Communication and report writing skills required, along with the ability to work with clients to develop new and existing business opportunities.

We believe that a diverse workforce is key to our business success. We seek the best people for our jobs based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. We embrace the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and we work towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination in our employment practices. In support of diversity and the equal opportunity principle, preference will be given to individuals from designated groups within South Africa.