Geotechnical Engineer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Exposure to large-scale projects

Collaborative team

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Geotechnical Engineer for our Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal client. The role focuses on planning and executing site investigations, analyzing soil and rock data, and developing robust foundation and earthworks designs to support major civil projects.

You will model geotechnical behavior, produce detailed reports, liaise with clients and stakeholders, and mentor junior engineers. A Master’s or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering with professional registration is required.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional geotechnical experience.
• Professional registration with ECSA as Pr.Eng or Pr.Tech Eng is required.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute geotechnical site investigations (drilling, sampling, in-situ testing).
• Analyze soil and rock data, interpret test results, and prepare geotechnical reports.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice for foundation design (shallow & deep), slope stability and earthworks.

Skills

Soil mechanics

Rock mechanics

Foundation engineering

Slope stability

Numerical modeling

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

Plaxis

GeoStudio

Rocscience

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading engineering consultancy specializing in geotechnical investigations and foundation design, is seeking a qualified and experienced Geotechnical Engineer to join their expanding team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is vital for assessing ground conditions and providing expert engineering advice for a wide range of civil and construction projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and executing site investigations, analyzing soil and rock mechanics data, and developing robust foundation and earthworks designs. You will play a key role in ensuring the stability and safety of structures by providing critical geotechnical solutions. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to significant infrastructure development in the Richards Bay region.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute geotechnical site investigations, including drilling, sampling, and in-situ testing.
• Analyze soil and rock mechanics data, interpret test results, and prepare comprehensive geotechnical reports.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice for foundation design (shallow and deep foundations), slope stability, and earthworks.
• Develop design parameters and recommendations for infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, buildings, and port facilities.
• Perform numerical modeling and analysis for complex geotechnical problems.
• Liaise with clients, project managers, contractors, and other engineering disciplines to ensure project requirements are met.
• Ensure adherence to relevant geotechnical standards, codes, and best practices.
• Review contractor submittals and respond to site queries during the construction phase.
• Assist in developing proposals and pursuing new business opportunities.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Professional registration with ECSA as a Pr.Eng or Pr.Tech Eng is required.
• Strong knowledge of soil and rock mechanics, foundation engineering, and slope stability analysis.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as Plaxis, GeoStudio, Rocscience suite, or similar.
• Experience in planning and supervising geotechnical investigations (boreholes, CPTs, trial pits).
• Ability to interpret geological data and provide practical engineering solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing capabilities.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites in and around Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.
• Experience with port and coastal engineering projects would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, reflecting the candidate's experience and qualifications.
• Benefits include a comprehensive medical aid scheme, a retirement fund, and opportunities for professional development and continuous training.
• This role provides exposure to challenging and large-scale infrastructure projects within the dynamic Richards Bay area.
• The company fosters a collaborative team environment and encourages innovation in geotechnical solutions.
• Career growth prospects are excellent within a well-respected engineering firm.