Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Underground Mining

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development

Industry conferences

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join the technical team supporting underground mining operations in the Sandton area. You will apply advanced geotechnical principles to analyze rock mass behavior, design ground support systems and manage geotechnical risks across the mine lifecycle.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Geotechnical or Mining Engineering and 8+ years of experience, with proficiency in FLAC/UDEC and strong rock mechanics, hydrogeology, and seismic

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical or Mining Engineering.
• 8+ years of underground mining geotechnical experience.
• Proficiency with FLAC, UDEC and stability analyses.
• Strong rock mechanics, hydrogeology and seismic monitoring knowledge.
• Experience designing ground support systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and report-writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct geotechnical investigations including data collection and rock mass characterization.
• Develop and implement ground support designs for underground mining methods.
• Perform numerical modeling and stability analyses of rock excavations.
• Monitor ground conditions and advise on operational adjustments to mitigate risks.
• Provide geotechnical support to mine planning and operations teams.
• Contribute to geotechnical standards, guidelines and best practices.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Rock mechanics

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical or Mining Engineering

Tools

FLAC

UDEC

Stability analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join their technical team supporting underground mining operations in the Sandton area. This role is crucial for ensuring the stability and safety of underground excavations, including tunnels, stopes, and shafts. You will apply advanced geotechnical principles to analyze rock mass behavior, design ground support systems, and manage geotechnical risks throughout the mine lifecycle. Your expertise will be vital in optimizing mine design and ensuring safe, efficient extraction of resources, contributing to the overall success of the company's significant mining projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct geotechnical investigations, including data collection, rock mass characterization, and laboratory testing.
• Develop and implement ground support designs and strategies for various underground mining methods.
• Perform numerical modeling and stability analyses to assess the behavior of rock excavations.
• Monitor ground conditions and advise on operational adjustments to mitigate geotechnical risks.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice and technical support to mine planning and operations teams.
• Contribute to the development of geotechnical standards, guidelines, and best practices.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, with a significant focus on underground mining applications.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software for numerical modeling (e.g., FLAC, UDEC) and stability analysis.
• Strong understanding of rock mechanics, hydrogeology, and seismic monitoring in mining environments.
• Experience in designing and implementing ground support systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and report writing skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance, retirement savings plan, and life cover.
• Opportunities for professional development and attending industry conferences.
• A challenging and rewarding career within a leading mining consultancy or operator.
• Work on significant mining projects in and around Sandton.