Lead Geotechnical Engineer - Offshore Wind Projects

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Relocation assistance

Health & life insurance

Collaborative team

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to spearhead offshore wind geotechnical projects. You will oversee site investigations, foundation design, and installation support for subsea structures in a marine environment.

The role requires a strong background in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and offshore operations, with proven leadership of technical teams on complex projects.

Relocation assistance may be provided for successful candidates.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in geotechnical engineering, with significant offshore exposure.
• Expertise in soil mechanics, foundation design, numerical modelling, and site investigation techniques.
• Familiarity with offshore industry codes/standards (e.g., DNVGL, ISO).
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage complex projects under demanding conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and interpretation of geotechnical investigations for offshore wind sites.
• Design and analyse foundations (monopiles, jackets) considering soil-structure interaction.
• Prepare geotechnical reports, specifications, and design documentation.
• Provide expert advice during tendering, fabrication, and installation phases.
• Liaise with clients, regulators, and other disciplines to ensure objectives are met.
• Mentor and manage a team of geotechnical engineers and specialists.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Leadership

Project management

Offshore operations

Soil mechanics

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

Plaxis

FLAC

Finite element analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly skilled Lead Geotechnical Engineer to spearhead critical projects within the burgeoning offshore wind sector, based in Cape Town . This senior position involves overseeing all geotechnical aspects of offshore wind farm development, from site investigation and analysis to foundation design and installation support. You will be instrumental in ensuring the stability and integrity of subsea structures in a challenging marine environment. This role demands a strategic thinker with a strong background in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and offshore operations, contributing to the sustainable development of renewable energy resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and interpretation of geotechnical investigations for offshore wind farm sites.
• Manage the design and analysis of foundations (e.g., monopiles, jackets) for offshore wind turbines, considering soil-structure interaction.
• Oversee the preparation of geotechnical reports, specifications, and design documentation.
• Provide expert technical advice during the tendering, fabrication, and installation phases of offshore projects.
• Liaise with clients, regulatory bodies, and other engineering disciplines to ensure project objectives are met.
• Mentor and manage a team of geotechnical engineers and specialists.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in geotechnical engineering, with significant exposure to offshore projects , ideally in the wind energy sector.
• Expertise in soil mechanics, foundation design, numerical modelling (e.g., Plaxis, FLAC), and site investigation techniques.
• Familiarity with industry codes and standards relevant to offshore structures (e.g., DNVGL, ISO).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and manage complex projects under demanding conditions.
• Experience with marine operations and vessel logistics is advantageous.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to work on pioneering offshore wind projects at the forefront of the energy transition.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including life insurance.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for successful candidates.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment focused on engineering excellence.