Principal Piling Engineer

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,600,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work arrangement

Landmark projects

Flexible schedule

Competitive rate

Long-term engagement potential

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Piling Engineer to lead piling and foundation design for major national projects, with a Durban focus. The role requires deep expertise in deep foundations and the ability to direct technical strategy from a remote setting. The ideal candidate will hold Pr.

Eng. registration with ECSA, a Master’s in Geotechnical Engineering, and 12–15 years’ experience in piling. You will mentor engineers, review designs, and contribute to standards while delivering safe,

Qualifications

• Pr. Eng. registration with ECSA is required.
• 12–15 years of specialized piling and deep foundation design experience.
• Proficiency with geotechnical/structural analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in piling system design and specifications.
• Oversee geotechnical design and analysis for complex foundations.
• Develop innovative, cost-effective piling solutions.
• Review and approve piling designs, calculations, and construction methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, codes, and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with clients, PMs, contractors, and site teams.
• Conduct technical reviews and advise on piling issues.
• Contribute to technical standards and best practices.
• Assist in tender evaluation and selection of piling contractors.
• Mentor and guide junior staff.

Skills

Pr. Eng.

Technical leadership

Piling design

Geotechnical analysis

Project management

Soil mechanics

Independent work

Education

Master's in Geotechnical Eng

Tools

PLAXIS

GeoStudio

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized specialist in foundation engineering, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Piling Engineer for a significant contract role, offering a remote work arrangement. This is a critical position responsible for the technical leadership and strategic oversight of all piling and foundation design activities for major projects across the nation, with a particular focus on developments in the Durban, KwaZulu-Natal region. You will be the lead technical authority, providing expert advice, developing innovative piling solutions, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and performance. The ideal candidate will have extensive, specialized experience in deep foundation design and construction, a proven ability to manage complex challenges, and a reputation for excellence. This role offers the flexibility of remote work while ensuring you contribute to shaping critical infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical leadership in the design and specification of various piling systems (e.g., driven piles, bored piles, micropiles).
• Oversee the geotechnical design and analysis for complex foundation challenges.
• Develop innovative and cost-effective piling solutions for diverse project requirements.
• Review and approve piling designs, calculations, and construction methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards, codes of practice, and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with clients, project managers, contractors, and site investigation teams.
• Conduct technical reviews and provide expert advice on piling-related issues.
• Contribute to the development of technical standards and best practices within the organization.
• Assist in the tender evaluation and selection of piling contractors.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineering staff.

Requirements

• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA is required.
• Master's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering with a specialization in foundations or piling.
• A minimum of 12-15 years of specialized experience in piling and deep foundation design and construction.
• Demonstrated expertise in a wide range of piling techniques and ground improvement methods.
• Proficiency in geotechnical and structural analysis software relevant to piling design.
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and foundation engineering principles.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex tasks remotely.
• Experience in reviewing contractor proposals and site methodologies.
• Must be comfortable working in a remote capacity for this contract role.

Benefits

• Highly competitive contract rate commensurate with expertise.
• Opportunity to work on landmark projects with significant technical challenges.
• Flexibility of a remote work arrangement.
• Be recognized as a key technical authority in the field of piling engineering.
• Direct impact on critical infrastructure projects, including those in the Durban area.
• Potential for long-term engagement based on project needs and performance.