Senior Geotechnical Engineer – Dam Stability & Mining Infrastructure

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical aid and provident fund

Professional development and training

Generous annual leave entitlement

Mentorship from industry leaders

Involvement in large-scale mining

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join a prominent mining and infrastructure-focused consultancy in Bloemfontein. Lead complex site investigations, stability analyses, and develop pragmatic design recommendations for tailings dams and open-pit slopes.

We seek a Master’s degree in Geotechnical/Civil Engineering with at least 8 years in mining geotech, proficiency in FLAC/Plaxis/GeoStudio, and Pr Eng or eligibility.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or Civil Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive geotechnical experience, with mining focus (dam stability & slope).
• Registered Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or eligible for registration.
• Experience with geotechnical modeling and site investigations.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute and manage geotechnical site investigations.
• Perform stability analyses for tailings dams, waste dumps, open-pit mines.
• Develop geotechnical designs, specs, and QA plans.
• Use FLAC/Plaxis/GeoStudio for numerical modeling of soils/rocks.
• Provide expert advice to project managers and clients.
• Conduct peer reviews of designs and reports.
• Develop and implement monitoring programs for geotechnical performance.
• Prepare technical reports and proposals.
• Mentor junior engineers and support team development.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Project management

Analytical thinking

Report writing

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical/Civil Engineering

Pr Eng or eligibility

Tools

FLAC

Plaxis

GeoStudio

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent engineering consultancy within the mining and infrastructure sectors, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer to bolster their team in Bloemfontein, Free State . This role is crucial for ensuring the safety, stability, and longevity of critical mining infrastructure, including tailings dams, waste rock dumps, and open-pit slopes, as well as associated civil structures. You will be responsible for performing complex geotechnical investigations, conducting detailed stability analyses, and developing pragmatic design recommendations. The ideal candidate will possess a robust understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and hydrogeology, combined with extensive experience in numerical modeling software and site investigation techniques. This position offers the opportunity to work on challenging and significant projects across the region, contributing to responsible resource development. You will provide expert technical guidance and collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and manage comprehensive geotechnical site investigations.
• Perform detailed stability analyses for tailings dams, waste dumps, open-pit mines, and other mining infrastructure.
• Develop detailed geotechnical designs, specifications, and construction quality assurance plans.
• Utilize advanced geotechnical software for numerical modeling (e.g., FLAC, GeoStudio) to assess soil and rock behavior.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice and recommendations to project managers, clients, and construction teams.
• Conduct peer reviews of geotechnical designs and reports.
• Develop and implement monitoring programs for geotechnical performance.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, and proposals.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and contribute to team development.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, codes, and regulations.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, with a significant focus on the mining industry , particularly dam stability and slope engineering.
• Proven expertise in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and hydrogeology.
• Proficiency with geotechnical modeling software such as FLAC, Plaxis, GeoStudio, etc.
• Experience in planning and interpreting field investigations (e.g., drilling, CPT, geophysics).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills.
• Excellent report writing and communication capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Registered Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or eligibility for registration.
• Willingness to undertake site visits and travel as required from Bloemfontein .

Benefits

• Competitive salary package and performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund.
• Opportunities for professional development and further training.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Supportive team environment and mentorship from industry leaders.
• Involvement in impactful and large-scale mining projects.