Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Remote

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,976,000 - 3,952,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first work environment

Health insurance and wellness programs

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join a fully remote team working on complex infrastructure projects worldwide. The role focuses on soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and site characterization from a home office.

You will lead investigations, analyze site conditions, and develop innovative earthworks solutions for diverse structures. The ideal candidate has a Master’s in Geotechnical Engineering, Pr.Eng.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
• Pr. Eng. registration with ECSA or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years of geotechnical engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical investigations: plan and interpret site explorations.
• Perform advanced analyses: slope stability, settlement, bearing capacity, seismic hazard.
• Design foundations for buildings, bridges, dams, walls.
• Develop specs for ground improvement, earthworks, excavation support.
• Prepare geotechnical reports and design documents.
• Collaborate with structural, civil, environmental teams.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and site teams.
• Manage budgets and schedules for geotechnical scopes.
• Ensure compliance with geotechnical codes and standards.
• Review designs and reports prepared by others.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Independent work

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Pr. Eng. registration with ECSA

Tools

PLAXIS

GeoStudio

Slide

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading international engineering consultancy specializing in complex infrastructure and foundation design, is seeking an exceptional Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join their fully remote team. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to critical projects worldwide, leveraging your expertise in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and site characterization from the comfort of your home office. You will play a pivotal role in leading geotechnical investigations, analyzing complex site conditions, and developing innovative foundation and earthworks solutions for a wide range of structures. The role demands strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of geological processes, and the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse teams and clients. As part of a remote-first organization, you will collaborate with a global network of professionals, utilizing cutting-edge software and technologies to deliver exceptional project outcomes. This position is ideal for an experienced professional seeking a flexible, autonomous work environment with significant growth potential, contributing to projects that might benefit the **Upington, Northern Cape, ZA** area and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage geotechnical investigations, including the planning and interpretation of site explorations (boreholes, CPTs, etc.).
• Perform advanced geotechnical analyses, including slope stability, settlement analysis, bearing capacity, and seismic hazard assessment.
• Design foundations for various structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, and retaining walls.
• Develop technical specifications for ground improvement, earthworks, and excavation support systems.
• Prepare comprehensive geotechnical reports, memorandums, and design documents.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (structural, civil, environmental) to integrate geotechnical recommendations into overall project design.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to junior geotechnical engineers and site investigation teams.
• Manage project budgets and schedules for geotechnical scopes of work.
• Ensure compliance with relevant geotechnical codes, standards, and best practices.
• Review and approve designs and reports prepared by other team members.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a related field (e.g., Civil Engineering with a Geotechnical specialization).
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering practice.
• Proven experience in managing complex geotechnical projects from investigation through design.
• Expertise in geotechnical software packages (e.g., PLAXIS, GeoStudio, Slide).
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, hydrogeology, and engineering geology.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Familiarity with international design codes and standards is an asset.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and attractive performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs.
• Generous retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Extensive opportunities for professional development, training, and international conference participation.
• Access to advanced geotechnical software and modeling tools.
• A fully remote work arrangement offering significant flexibility and work-life balance.
• The opportunity to work on challenging and impactful projects globally.
• A supportive and innovative organizational culture.