Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Mining & Construction

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle and travel allowances

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead geotechnical investigations in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. You will oversee field programs, analyze soil and rock mechanics, and design foundations for large mining and infrastructure projects.

The role requires a Master’s in Geotechnical Engineering, 7–10+ years in mining/construction, and proficiency with PLAXIS/GeoStudio/Rocscience. Travel to remote sites will be necessary, and mentoring junior staff is expected.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
• 7-10+ years of progressive geotechnical experience in mining/heavy construction.
• Proven expertise in soil/rock mechanics and foundation design.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical investigations for mining and civil projects.
• Plan field exploration: drilling, sampling, in-situ tests.
• Analyze soil/rock mechanics, slope stability, foundation design, seismic assessments.
• Develop designs for foundations, retaining structures, tunnels, earthworks.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and technical recommendations.
• Provide expert advice to clients and project teams.
• Manage budgets, schedules and client relations.
• Mentor engineers and technicians; ensure standards compliance.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Soil & rock mechanics

Project management

Client liaison

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS

GeoStudio

Rocscience

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier consultancy firm providing specialized engineering services to the mining and construction industries, is seeking an experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead their operations in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. This key role involves managing complex geotechnical investigations, providing expert analysis, and designing stable ground solutions for large-scale projects. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and foundation engineering, coupled with proven project management skills and a strong track record in the mining sector. You will play a vital part in ensuring the safety and success of challenging infrastructure and extraction projects. This is an excellent career opportunity within a respected firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage geotechnical investigations for mining, civil, and construction projects.
• Plan and oversee field exploration programs, including drilling, sampling, and in-situ testing.
• Conduct detailed analysis of soil and rock mechanics, slope stability, foundation design, and seismic assessments.
• Develop geotechnical designs for foundations, retaining structures, tunnels, and earthworks.
• Prepare comprehensive geotechnical reports, proposals, and technical recommendations.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to clients, project teams, and regulatory authorities.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and client relationships.
• Supervise junior geotechnical engineers and field technicians.
• Ensure compliance with relevant geotechnical standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Stay abreast of advancements in geotechnical engineering technology and methodologies.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a related Civil Engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, with significant exposure to mining and heavy construction.
• Proven expertise in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, foundation engineering, and slope stability analysis.
• Proficiency with geotechnical software such as PLAXIS, GeoStudio suite, Rocscience suite.
• Experience in planning and interpreting site investigations (e.g., boreholes, CPT, geophysical surveys).
• Strong project management skills, including client liaison and financial management.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team of engineers and technicians.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration is required.
• Willingness to travel to remote project sites as needed.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience and leadership capabilities.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
• Paid annual leave and company holidays.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile mining and infrastructure projects in the region around Nelspruit.
• Dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses.
• Supportive management and a strong team culture.
• Company vehicle and travel allowances.