Geotechnical Investigation Engineer

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Diverse projects

Professional development

Medical aid and retirement fund

Supportive team

Career advancement

Northern Cape projects

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Geotechnical Investigation Engineer for a reputed geotechnical and civil engineering consultancy in Upington, Northern Cape. You will plan, execute and report ground investigations to support mining infrastructure, renewables, and general construction.

Ideal candidates have a solid grounding in geotechnical principles and hands-on site experience, with strong data interpretation and reporting skills. Willingness to travel to project sites is essential.

Qualifications

• BEng/BSc in Civil Engineering with a geotechnical specialization is required.
• At least 5 years of geotechnical site investigation experience.
• Experience planning and managing drilling operations and field testing.
• Solid understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics and engineering geology.
• Strong report writing skills and ability to communicate complex findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage geotechnical site investigation programs including drilling, sampling and in-situ testing.
• Specify and oversee field testing methodologies appropriate for site conditions.
• Interpret soil, rock, and groundwater data from investigations.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical investigation reports with design parameters.
• Liaise with clients, project managers and engineers regarding requirements and results.
• Ensure safe execution of all site investigation activities.
• Assist in selecting and specifying laboratory testing programs.
• Review and interpret geological and hydrogeological data.
• Provide technical support for foundation design and slope stability assessments.
• Maintain accurate field records and documentation.

Skills

Geotechnical site investigations

Drilling operations planning

Geotechnical data interpretation

Report writing

Willingness to travel

Education

BEng/BSc in Civil Engineering with Geotechnical specialization

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a reputable geotechnical and civil engineering consultancy, is looking for a dedicated Geotechnical Investigation Engineer to join their team in Upington, Northern Cape. This role focuses on planning, executing, and reporting on ground investigations for a wide range of civil engineering projects, including mining infrastructure, renewable energy developments, and general construction. You will be responsible for selecting appropriate investigation methods, supervising drilling operations, interpreting soil and rock test results, and providing essential data for foundation design and slope stability analysis. The ideal candidate will have a solid grounding in geotechnical principles and hands‑on experience in site investigations. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to significant projects in a region with diverse geological conditions and to grow your expertise in geotechnical engineering within the Upington area.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and manage geotechnical site investigation programs, including drilling, sampling, and in‑situ testing.
• Specify and oversee field testing methodologies appropriate for site conditions.
• Interpret soil, rock, and groundwater data from investigations.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical investigation reports summarizing findings and providing design parameters.
• Liaise with clients, project managers, and other engineers regarding investigation requirements and results.
• Ensure the safe execution of all site investigation activities.
• Assist in the selection and specification of laboratory testing programs.
• Review and interpret geological and hydrogeological data.
• Provide technical support for foundation design, earthworks, and slope stability assessments.
• Maintain accurate field records and documentation.

Requirements

• BEng/BSc in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Geotechnical Engineering.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience focused on geotechnical site investigations.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and managing drilling operations and field testing.
• Solid understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and engineering geology principles.
• Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting geotechnical data.
• Familiarity with relevant South African geotechnical investigation standards and practices.
• Strong report writing skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical information.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a project team.
• Willingness to travel to project sites in and around Upington, Northern Cape, and potentially other remote locations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to engage in diverse and technically challenging investigation projects.
• Professional development and training in specialized geotechnical techniques.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• A supportive team environment fostering technical excellence.
• Career advancement prospects within a growing firm.
• Contribution to crucial projects in the Northern Cape's developing sectors.