Senior Geotechnical Engineer (Specialist)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement planning

Life insurance

CPD support

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead advanced investigations and design tasks for major projects in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role emphasizes deep foundations, slope stability, tunneling, and seismic analysis with client liaison responsibilities.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of geotechnical experience, professional registration, and proficiency with Plaxis 3D, FLAC, GeoStudio, and RocScience, guiding technical teams on complex infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
• Professional registration with PEng/Pr Eng or equivalent is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of geotechnical experience on complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced geotechnical investigations and site characterization.
• Provide expert analysis and design for foundations, retaining structures, slopes, and excavations.
• Conduct seismic hazard assessments and design for earthquake-prone areas.
• Oversee interpretation of in-situ and lab test data; develop detailed reports and specs.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Project leadership

Technical writing

Client liaison

Seismic analysis

Soil-structure interaction

Numerical analysis

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

Plaxis 3D

FLAC

GeoStudio

RocScience

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned international engineering consultancy with a strong presence in South Africa, is seeking an experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead specialized investigations and design on critical projects in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . This role requires deep expertise in complex geotechnical challenges, including deep excavations, tunneling, and seismic analysis. The candidate will be responsible for high-level technical input, project oversight, and client liaison. This is an exceptional opportunity for a specialist engineer to contribute to significant infrastructure developments and complex building projects in the region. We are committed to delivering cutting-edge geotechnical solutions and fostering professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advanced geotechnical investigations and site characterization for complex projects.
• Provide expert analysis and design for foundations, retaining structures, slopes, and underground excavations.
• Conduct seismic hazard assessments and design for earthquake-prone areas.
• Oversee the interpretation of in-situ and laboratory test data.
• Develop detailed geotechnical reports, design recommendations, and construction specifications.
• Manage geotechnical aspects of major projects, ensuring quality and timely delivery.
• Mentor and guide junior geotechnical engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with clients, project managers, and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Ensure compliance with national and international geotechnical standards and best practices.
• Contribute to business development and proposal preparation for specialized geotechnical services.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or a related field.
• Professional registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng).
• Minimum of 10 years of specialized experience in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on complex projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in areas such as deep foundations, soil-structure interaction, tunneling, slope stability, and seismic engineering.
• Proficiency in advanced geotechnical analysis software (e.g., Plaxis 3D, FLAC, GeoStudio, Rocscience).
• Excellent technical writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead technical teams.
• Experience working in the Nelspruit, Mpumalanga region or on similar regional projects is advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, retirement planning, and life insurance. Support for continuing professional development, including advanced training and conference attendance, is provided. This role offers the chance to work on challenging and impactful projects, with significant opportunities for career progression within a leading global engineering firm.