Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Underground Operations

Placements24; Vereeniging; Presencial; ZAR 1 800 000 - 2 800 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

Placements24 is partnering with a major mining group in Vereeniging, Gauteng to hire a Principal Geotechnical Engineer who will lead the geotechnical services for underground operations, manage geotechnical risk, and provide expert rock mechanics guidance.

The role requires a Masters or PhD in Geotechnical or Mining Engineering, 12+ years of underground hard rock experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with FLAC, UDEC and Rocscience.

Qualificações

• Master's or PhD in Geotechnical or Mining Engineering with strong geotechnical focus.
• 12+ years of geotechnical experience, including underground hard rock mining.
• Expertise in rock mechanics, stability analysis and ground support design.
• Proficiency with geotechnical software FLAC, UDEC and Rocscience.
• Pr.Eng or equivalent qualification; registration preferred.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and manage geotechnical engineering for underground operations.
• Develop monitoring and data acquisition programs.
• Perform stability analyses for mine openings.
• Design ground support systems considering rock mass properties.
• Conduct seismic hazard assessments and mitigation.
• Investigate failures with root-cause analyses.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice to planning, operations, safety.
• Oversee geotechnical databases and modeling software.
• Stay updated on rock mechanics advancements.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and technicians.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.

Conhecimentos

Leadership

Rock mechanics

Stability analysis

Ground support design

Data analysis

Communication skills

Problem solving

Mentoring

Team management

Regulatory compliance

Formação académica

Master's or PhD in Geotechnical or Mining Engineering

Ferramentas

FLAC

UDEC

Rocscience Suite

Seismic monitoring tools

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the mining industry with substantial underground operations, is seeking an exceptional and experienced Principal Geotechnical Engineer to lead their geotechnical services in the Vereeniging, Gauteng region. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring the stability and safety of all underground excavations, managing geotechnical risks, and providing expert advice on rock mechanics and ground support design. The Principal Geotechnical Engineer will oversee a team of geotechnical specialists, mentor junior staff, and champion best practices in geotechnical engineering across the mine. This is a critical position requiring deep expertise and a proactive approach to risk management within a complex mining environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the geotechnical engineering function for underground operations.


• Develop and implement comprehensive geotechnical monitoring and data acquisition programs.


• Perform detailed stability analyses for mine openings, including stopes, shafts, and access tunnels.


• Design and specify appropriate ground support systems, considering rock mass properties and operational requirements.


• Conduct seismic hazard assessments and develop mitigation strategies.


• Investigate geotechnical failures and incidents, providing root cause analyses and corrective action plans.


• Provide expert geotechnical advice to mine planning, operations, and safety departments.


• Oversee the development and maintenance of geotechnical databases and modeling software.


• Stay abreast of advancements in geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics, and champion their adoption.


• Mentor and develop junior geotechnical engineers and technicians.


• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Requirements

• A Master's or Ph.D. degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related discipline with a strong geotechnical focus.


• A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, with a significant portion focused on underground hard rock mining.


• Demonstrated expertise in rock mechanics, stability analysis, and ground support design.


• Proficiency in geotechnical software (e.g., FLAC, UDEC, Rocscience Suite).


• Experience with seismic monitoring and analysis techniques.


• Proven leadership and project management skills.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information effectively.


• Registered Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) or equivalent professional qualification.


• Experience in the Gauteng mining sector is highly advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers an executive-level remuneration package, including a highly competitive salary, significant annual bonus potential, and comprehensive executive medical coverage.


• A generous pension scheme and additional executive benefits are provided.


• Opportunities for professional growth, international assignments, and contributing to cutting-edge mining projects are extensive.


• Relocation assistance is available for the successful candidate.


• Our client is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement, offering a challenging yet rewarding career path in a stable and reputable organization.