Remote Lead Geotechnical Engineer

Placements24; Kempton Park; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Comprehensive private health insurance

Substantial retirement savings plan

Budget for professional development &

Home office equipment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Lead Geotechnical Engineer to oversee a portfolio of geotechnical investigations and designs for major infrastructure projects in a fully remote capacity. You will guide a distributed team of geotechnical professionals, ensuring technical excellence and timely delivery.

The role requires a Master’s or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Pr.Eng. registration, 10+ years of progressive experience, and strong expertise in soil/rock mechanics, foundation

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.) registration with ECSA or equivalent international registration.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, foundation design, slope stability, and seismic analysis.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as Plaxis, GeoStudio, FLAC, Rocscience suite, and relevant finite element analysis tools.
• Demonstrated experience in managing remote teams and utilizing collaborative digital platforms for project execution.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills, adapted for virtual interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical investigations, including site characterization and lab testing programs.
• Develop detailed geotechnical designs for foundations, earthworks, retaining structures, and tunneling projects.
• Oversee preparation of geotechnical reports and recommendations for clients and stakeholders.
• Manage multiple geotechnical projects remotely, ensuring scope, budget, and schedule.
• Provide expert guidance and mentorship to a distributed team of geotechnical professionals.
• Collaborate with civil/structural/environmental teams using digital collaboration tools.
• Stay updated on latest geotechnical advancements and software adoption.
• Conduct peer reviews of geotechnical designs and reports.

Skills

Leadership

Remote teamwork

Communication

Geotechnical analysis

Project management

Education

Master's/PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Pr.Eng. (ECSA) registration

Tools

Plaxis

GeoStudio

FLAC

Rocscience

Finite Element Analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering engineering firm seeking a highly experienced and motivated Lead Geotechnical Engineer to join their fully remote workforce. This crucial role involves overseeing a portfolio of diverse geotechnical investigations and designs for significant infrastructure projects across various regions. You will be at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge technology and methodologies to solve complex ground engineering challenges. As a remote leader, you will guide and mentor a distributed team of geotechnical professionals, ensuring the highest standards of technical excellence and project delivery. The role demands exceptional analytical skills, a deep understanding of soil mechanics and foundation engineering, and the ability to communicate effectively across virtual platforms. We are looking for a visionary individual who can drive innovation and contribute to the company's reputation for delivering world‑class geotechnical solutions, regardless of geographical location.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and interpretation of geotechnical investigations, including site characterization and laboratory testing programs.
• Develop detailed geotechnical designs for foundations, earthworks, retaining structures, and tunneling projects.
• Oversee the preparation of comprehensive geotechnical reports and recommendations for clients and project stakeholders.
• Manage multiple geotechnical projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to project scope, budget, and schedule from a remote setting.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to a geographically dispersed team of geotechnical engineers and geologists.
• Collaborate closely with internal and external project teams, including civil engineers, structural engineers, and environmental consultants, using digital collaboration tools.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in geotechnical engineering, research, and software, and promote their adoption.
• Conduct peer reviews of geotechnical designs and reports prepared by other team members.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.) registration with ECSA or equivalent international registration.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, with a proven track record in leading complex projects.
• Extensive knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, foundation design, slope stability, and seismic analysis.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as Plaxis, GeoStudio, FLAC, Rocscience suite, and relevant finite element analysis tools.
• Demonstrated experience in managing remote teams and utilizing collaborative digital platforms for project execution.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills, adapted for virtual interactions.
• Strong ability to analyze complex data and develop practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.

Benefits

• generous annual leave allowance
• comprehensive private health insurance
• a substantial retirement savings plan
• a dedicated budget for professional development and home office equipment