Geotechnical Engineer - Major Projects

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical aid coverage

Provident fund

Generous leave provisions

Career development and training

Industry conferences access

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay is seeking a seasoned Geotechnical Engineer to oversee soil and rock mechanics, slope stability, and mining infrastructure projects. The role focuses on ensuring stability of excavations, waste dumps, and processing facilities, with a proactive approach to risk management.

The candidate will lead investigations, analyses, and monitoring programs; provide ground control recommendations; review designs; and communicate findings to stakeholders across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or Civil Engineering with geotechnical focus.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive geotechnical experience, mining sector preferred.
• Proven experience in slope stability, foundation design, and ground improvement.
• Proficiency with Rocscience or GeoStudio software.
• Strong report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Pr.Eng. (ECSA) or eligibility to register; willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Conduct geotechnical investigations including site characterization and lab testing.
• Analyze slope stability, foundation design and excavation stability.
• Develop geotechnical monitoring programs for active sites.
• Advise on ground control and support systems for open-pit and underground operations.
• Review geotechnical designs and reports by consultants.
• Ensure compliance with geotechnical codes and standards.
• Manage geotechnical aspects of project execution and QA.
• Prepare and present findings, risk assessments, and recommendations.
• Investigate failures and recommend remedial measures.
• Contribute to geotechnical risk management strategies.

Skills

Slope stability analysis

Foundation design

Ground improvement techniques

Site investigation methods

Report writing

Communication and presentation

Project management

Risk assessment

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Civil Engineering with geotechnical focus

Tools

Rocscience Suite (Slide, Phase2)

GeoStudio

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the Mining sector, is seeking a seasoned Geotechnical Engineer to oversee critical aspects of major projects in the Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal region. This role demands expertise in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and slope stability analysis for large-scale mining infrastructure. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the stability and safety of excavations, waste dumps, and processing facilities. This is a high-impact position that requires a proactive approach to risk management and a deep understanding of the geological conditions prevalent in the area. You will play a pivotal role in the successful execution of significant mining developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive geotechnical investigations, including site characterization and laboratory testing.
• Perform detailed analyses of slope stability, foundation design, and excavation stability.
• Develop and implement geotechnical monitoring programs for active sites and infrastructure.
• Provide expert advice on ground control and support systems for open-pit and underground operations.
• Review and approve geotechnical designs and reports submitted by consultants.
• Ensure compliance with relevant geotechnical codes, standards, and regulations.
• Manage geotechnical aspects of project execution, including contractor oversight and quality assurance.
• Prepare and present technical findings, risk assessments, and recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Investigate geotechnical failures or incidents and recommend remedial measures.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of geotechnical risk management strategies.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering with a geotechnical focus, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, with significant exposure to the mining industry.
• Proven experience in slope stability analysis, foundation design, and ground improvement techniques.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as Rocscience suite (Slide, Phase2, etc.), GeoStudio, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of soil and rock mechanics principles relevant to mining environments.
• Experience with site investigation methods (drilling, CPT, geophysical surveys) and laboratory testing.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Registered Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) with ECSA or eligibility for registration.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, complemented by generous performance bonuses and comprehensive benefits including excellent medical aid cover, a provident fund, and substantial leave provisions.
• We provide significant opportunities for career advancement and professional development, including access to advanced training programs and industry conferences.
• The company fosters a safety-first culture and encourages innovation and collaboration.
• Employees benefit from working on world‑class projects using state‑of‑the‑art technology.
• This exciting role is based in Richards Bay, offering a chance to work on impactful infrastructure within the dynamic KwaZulu‑Natal mining landscape.