Lead Geotechnical Engineer - Remote Operations

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Performance bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an exceptional Lead Geotechnical Engineer to spearhead its remote geotechnical services division. Manage investigations and design solutions for projects across South Africa and internationally, from your home office.

You will oversee project lifecycles, mentor a remote team, and ensure top-quality technical delivery using advanced digital tools and remote collaboration platforms.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) registration with ECSA.
• 10+ years of progressive geotechnical experience with leadership.
• Experience with geotechnical investigations, lab testing, and interpretation.
• Proficiency in Plaxis and GeoStudio.
• Strong communication and remote leadership.
• Familiarity with SA and international geotechnical codes.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert geotechnical leadership on diverse projects.
• Oversee investigations by field teams with remote monitoring.
• Perform complex analyses: foundations, slope stability, seismic, ground improvement.
• Develop detailed reports and recommendations.
• Manage schedules, budgets, and resources for multiple projects.
• Mentor remote team of geotechnical engineers and technicians.
• Utilize advanced geotechnical software and data visualization.
• Engage with clients to understand requirements and present findings.
• Contribute to business development with proposals.
• Implement remote project management and QA practices.

Skills

Geotechnical leadership

Remote team management

Plaxis 2D/3D

GeoStudio

Report writing

Client liaison

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

Plaxis 2D/3D

GeoStudio (Slope/W, Seep/W)

Remote collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an exceptional Lead Geotechnical Engineer to spearhead their remote geotechnical services division. This fully remote position offers the unique opportunity to manage and deliver high-quality geotechnical investigations and design solutions for a diverse range of projects across South Africa and internationally, all from the comfort of your home office. As the Lead Geotechnical Engineer, you will be responsible for overseeing project lifecycles, managing client expectations, mentoring a remote team, and ensuring the highest standards of technical delivery. The successful candidate will leverage advanced digital tools and remote collaboration platforms to achieve project goals, providing expert advice on soil mechanics, foundation design, slope stability, and earthworks. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives in an autonomous environment and is passionate about driving innovation in geotechnical engineering through remote operational models.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert geotechnical advice and leadership on a variety of projects, including commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure developments.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and interpretation of geotechnical investigations conducted by field teams, utilizing remote monitoring and data analysis techniques.
• Perform complex geotechnical analyses, including foundation design (shallow and deep), slope stability assessments, seismic analysis, and ground improvement designs.
• Develop detailed geotechnical reports, specifications, and recommendations for clients and project teams, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and resource allocation for multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Lead and mentor a geographically dispersed team of geotechnical engineers and technicians, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Utilize advanced geotechnical software and data visualization tools for analysis and reporting.
• Engage directly with clients to understand project requirements, present findings, and build strong working relationships.
• Contribute to business development efforts by preparing proposals and identifying new opportunities for remote geotechnical services.
• Implement and refine best practices for remote project management and quality control in geotechnical engineering.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or a related field.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) registration with ECSA.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, with a proven track record in leading projects and teams.
• Extensive experience with geotechnical investigation techniques, laboratory testing, and interpretation of results.
• Advanced proficiency in geotechnical design software such as Plaxis 2D/3D, GeoStudio (Slope/W, Seep/W), or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from inception through to completion.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical information clearly.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities, particularly in a remote or distributed team environment.
• Experience with digital collaboration tools and platforms.
• Understanding of relevant South African and international geotechnical codes and standards.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Benefits

• This role offers the flexibility of fully remote work, allowing you to contribute from anywhere.
• Our client provides a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• You will have access to cutting-edge technology and software, along with opportunities for continuous professional development and involvement in challenging and innovative projects.
• We foster a supportive and forward-thinking work culture that embraces remote collaboration and values individual contributions.