Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to oversee ground engineering for onshore Oil & Gas infrastructure in Stellenbosch. You will lead geotechnical investigations, evaluate soil and rock properties, and provide robust foundation and slope designs while ensuring QA/QC and regulatory compliance.

The role requires a Master's in Geotechnical Engineering with 7+ years of relevant experience, strong report writing, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams on complex projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level candidates without a Master’s degree are not suitable; a Master’s in Geotechnical Engineering is required.
• Experience in oil & gas or heavy-civil infrastructure is mandatory.
• Strong report writing and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee geotechnical site investigations (drilling, CPT, lab testing).
• Analyze soil/rock data to assess site conditions and bearing capacities.
• Provide design recommendations for foundations, slopes, retaining walls, and related structures.
• Prepare geotechnical reports and specifications for construction.
• Oversee QC of geotechnical works ensuring compliance with designs and standards.
• Collaborate with structural, civil engineers, and project managers.

Skills

Soil mechanics

Foundation engineering

Numerical modeling

Report writing

Communication

Seismic analysis

Liquefaction assessment

Site characterization

Geotechnical design

Technical leadership

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS

GeoStudio

Finite element analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly skilled Senior Geotechnical Engineer to oversee critical ground engineering aspects for their Oil & Gas infrastructure projects in the Stellenbosch area. This role demands expertise in soil mechanics, foundation design, and site investigation to ensure the stability and safety of onshore facilities, pipelines, and associated structures. You will lead geotechnical investigations, provide design recommendations, and ensure compliance with industry standards for projects critical to the Oil & Gas sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and manage geotechnical site investigations , including drilling, CPT, and laboratory testing programs.
• Analyze soil and rock mechanics data to assess site conditions and foundation bearing capacities.
• Provide detailed design recommendations for foundations, slopes, retaining walls, and other geotechnical structures.
• Prepare comprehensive geotechnical reports and specifications for construction.
• Oversee construction quality control for geotechnical works, ensuring compliance with designs and standards.
• Collaborate with structural engineers, civil engineers, and project managers on all aspects of project development.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of experience in geotechnical engineering , with specific experience in the Oil & Gas industry or heavy civil infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and numerical modeling techniques (e.g., finite element analysis).
• Proficiency in geotechnical software (e.g., PLAXIS, GeoStudio).
• Experience in site characterization, seismic site response analysis, and liquefaction assessment.
• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a related field.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex projects in Stellenbosch .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Professional development opportunities and support for further qualifications.
• Involvement in significant infrastructure projects within the Oil & Gas sector.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment in Stellenbosch .