Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Foundation Design

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Medical and retirement benefits

CPD opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join a Pretoria-based practice. You will lead investigations, assess soils, design foundations, and advise on earthworks for major projects, including commercial and infrastructure works.

The role demands a Pr Eng, 10+ years experience, and proficiency with PLAXIS and Rocscience; you will mentor teams, deliver reports, and contribute to design standards in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related discipline.
• Min 10 years in geotechnical investigation and foundation design.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) registration with ECSA.
• Proficiency in PLAXIS, SLOPE/W, SEEP/W, Rocscience.
• Strong soil and rock mechanics, and geology knowledge.
• Experience with diverse project types and ground conditions.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee geotechnical investigations, including site reconnaissance, drilling, and in-situ testing.
• Analyze soil and rock properties, conducting laboratory testing and interpreting results.
• Design foundations (shallow and deep, piles, rafts), considering seismic and settlement criteria.
• Prepare geotechnical investigation reports, foundation design recommendations, and slope stability analyses.
• Provide expert advice on earthworks, retaining structures, and ground improvement techniques.
• Collaborate with structural engineers, architects, and contractors to ensure successful project execution.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Foundation design

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS

SLOPE/W

SEEP/W

Rocscience

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join their established practice in Pretoria . This role focuses on providing expert geotechnical assessments and foundation designs for a variety of challenging construction projects, including large commercial buildings, bridges, and industrial facilities. You will play a critical role in evaluating subsurface conditions, advising on soil and rock mechanics, and developing safe, economical foundation solutions. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced geotechnical professional to lead critical investigations, contribute to major projects, and influence engineering best practices within a collaborative and technically focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee geotechnical investigations , including site reconnaissance, drilling, and in-situ testing.
• Analyze soil and rock properties, conducting laboratory testing and interpreting results.
• Design various types of foundations, including shallow and deep foundations (piles, rafts), considering seismic and settlement criteria.
• Prepare comprehensive geotechnical investigation reports , foundation design recommendations, and slope stability analyses.
• Provide expert advice on earthworks, retaining structures, and ground improvement techniques.
• Collaborate with structural engineers, architects, and contractors to ensure successful project execution.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in geotechnical investigation and foundation design.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) registration with ECSA.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as PLAXIS, SLOPE/W, SEEP/W, and Rocscience suite.
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and engineering geology principles.
• Experience with diverse project types and challenging ground conditions.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package with opportunities for performance-based incentives.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering a balance between office collaboration and remote flexibility.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Support for continuing professional development, including advanced training and PDU accrual.
• Exposure to a wide range of significant and complex engineering projects in Pretoria and beyond.