Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Energy Infrastructure

Placements24; Gauteng; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual bonus

Course funding

Fully remote role

Professional development

Energy sector projects

Remote-first culture

Learning and growth

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for a fully remote, full-time role. You will lead investigations, interpret field and lab data, design foundations for energy infrastructure, and mentor junior engineers.

The ideal candidate has a master’s in Geotechnical/Civil, 7+ years’ experience in infrastructure, proficiency with PLAXIS, GEO5, Rocscience, and registration such as Pr. Eng. with ECSA is a plus. Excellent communication for remote collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of geotechnical experience in infrastructure projects.
• Energy sector experience/renewables is highly desirable.
• Proficient in geotechnical software (PLAXIS, GEO5, Rocscience).
• Strong soil mechanics and foundation engineering knowledge.
• Excellent report-writing and remote-collaboration skills.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr. Eng.) advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and oversee comprehensive geotechnical investigations.
• Analyze field and laboratory data to determine soil/rock properties.
• Design and specify foundations for energy infrastructure projects.
• Develop geotechnical risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical reports, calculations, and specs.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide guidance to junior geotechnical engineers.
• Review contractor submittals and monitor construction activities.
• Stay updated with SA building codes and geotechnical advances.
• Contribute to project planning, tendering, and proposals.

Skills

Geotechnical investigations

Data interpretation

Report writing

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Pr. Eng. with ECSA (advantage)

Tools

PLAXIS

GEO5

RocScience suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading entity in the **energy infrastructure** domain, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join their advanced engineering team. This is a full-time, fully remote opportunity, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within **South Africa**. You will be instrumental in providing expert geotechnical advice and solutions for a variety of projects, including renewable energy installations, power generation facilities, and transmission infrastructure. Your role will involve assessing ground conditions, designing foundations, and mitigating geotechnical risks to ensure the safety, stability, and longevity of critical energy assets. As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer in this remote-first role, you will lead complex investigations, interpret field and laboratory data, and develop innovative engineering designs. Collaboration with project managers, structural engineers, and construction teams will be key to successful project delivery. We are looking for an individual with a strong technical background, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the nation's growing **energy** sector while enjoying the benefits of remote work. The **Pretoria** region serves as a key administrative hub, but this role is open to qualified candidates across **South Africa**.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct and oversee comprehensive geotechnical investigations, including site characterization and ground condition assessments.
• Analyze field and laboratory testing data to determine soil and rock properties.
• Design and specify foundations for various **energy** infrastructure projects (e.g., wind turbines, solar arrays, substations, power plants).
• Develop geotechnical risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical reports, design calculations, and technical specifications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including structural, civil, and environmental engineers.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to junior geotechnical engineers.
• Review contractor submittals and monitor construction activities to ensure compliance with design requirements.
• Stay abreast of advancements in geotechnical engineering techniques and **South African** building codes.
• Contribute to project planning, tendering, and proposal development.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in the **energy** sector, including renewables, is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software for analysis and design (e.g., PLAXIS, GEO5, Rocscience suite).
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and slope stability analysis.
• Experience with in-situ testing, laboratory testing interpretation, and ground improvement techniques.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective remote collaboration.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr. Eng.) with ECSA is advantageous.
• Must be legally eligible to work remotely within **South Africa**.

Benefits

• competitive salary commensurate with experience
• medical aid
• retirement fund contributions
• annual performance bonus
• funding for relevant courses, certifications, and conference attendance
• fully remote role, offering unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance
• opportunities for professional development
• opportunities to work on impactful **energy** infrastructure projects that contribute to **South Africa**'s development
• supportive and innovative team dedicated to engineering excellence in the **energy** sector
• culture of continuous learning and growth within a remote-first framework