Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Coastal Developments

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and provident fund

Paid annual leave and sick leave

Professional development opportunities

Career progression and leadership

Project leadership roles

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead investigations and designs for coastal development projects including residential estates and infrastructure. You will apply expertise in soil and rock mechanics, foundation design, and site investigation techniques, oversee reports, collaborate with project teams, and supervise on-site activities.

The role offers progression in a scenic region with strong development pipelines and opportunities to lead

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or closely related field.
• Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng registration with ECSA is essential.
• 7–9 years of post-graduate geotechnical experience, coastal project exposure.
• Strong understanding of soil/rock mechanics and foundation engineering.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software and coastal site investigations.
• Familiar with South African geological conditions and SANS codes.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Plan, supervise, and interpret geotechnical site investigations (boreholes, CPTs, pits) along the coast.
• Perform detailed geotechnical analyses for foundations, earthworks, slopes, and retaining structures.
• Prepare reports, design recommendations, and specifications for clients and contractors.
• Collaborate with project managers, structural engineers, and contractors.
• Provide on-site geotechnical supervision and technical support during construction.
• Utilise PLAXIS and GeoStudio for modelling and analysis.
• Conduct risk assessments for coastal geotechnical hazards (e.g., liquefaction, erosion).
• Review geotechnical designs and reports prepared by others.
• Support business development through proposals and client engagement.

Skills

Soil mechanics

Foundation design

Site investigation techniques

Coastal projects experience

Report writing

Project coordination

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Pr Tech Eng registration with ECSA

Tools

PLAXIS

GeoStudio

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent engineering consultancy situated in the scenic city of George, Western Cape, is actively seeking to appoint a highly skilled Senior Geotechnical Engineer. This critical role involves managing and executing geotechnical investigations and designs for a range of exciting coastal development projects, including residential estates, commercial complexes, and crucial infrastructure works. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in soil mechanics, foundation design, and site investigation techniques pertinent to coastal environments. You will be a key contributor, providing essential geotechnical advice and solutions to ensure the stability and longevity of structures in challenging geological conditions. This position offers an excellent opportunity to advance your career in a region renowned for its natural beauty and burgeoning development sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, supervise, and interpret results from comprehensive geotechnical site investigations (boreholes, CPTs, trial pits) in diverse soil and rock conditions, particularly along the coast.
• Conduct detailed geotechnical analyses for foundations (shallow and deep), earthworks, slope stability, and retaining structures.
• Prepare high-quality geotechnical investigation reports, design recommendations, and specifications for client and contractor use.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, structural engineers, and contractors to integrate geotechnical requirements into overall project design and execution.
• Provide on-site geotechnical supervision and technical support during construction phases.
• Utilize advanced geotechnical software for modeling and analysis (e.g., PLAXIS, GeoStudio suite).
• Conduct risk assessments related to geotechnical hazards specific to coastal environments, such as liquefaction, coastal erosion, and expansive soils.
• Review geotechnical designs and reports prepared by others.
• Contribute to business development by assisting with proposals and client engagement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng) registration with ECSA is essential.
• A minimum of 7-9 years of relevant post-graduate experience in geotechnical engineering, with demonstrable experience in coastal projects.
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and foundation engineering principles.
• Proficiency in using geotechnical software for analysis and design.
• Experience with South African geological conditions and relevant standards (SANS codes).
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work to strict deadlines.
• Willingness to undertake site visits, potentially in remote or challenging conditions around George.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package benchmarked against industry standards.
• Company-sponsored medical aid and provident fund.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and exposure to cutting-edge geotechnical techniques.
• Paid annual leave and sick leave.
• Contribution to significant development projects in the scenic Western Cape.
• A supportive team environment with opportunities for career progression.
• Potential for project leadership roles.