Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Underground Stability

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Relocation assistance

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to enhance safety and stability of underground operations near Kimberley, Northern Cape. You will apply geotechnical principles to assess rock mass and design support systems.

The role covers numerical modeling, monitoring programs, mentoring juniors, and ensuring safety standards compliance. Travel to underground sites will be required.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Rock Mechanics, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years experience in geotechnical engineering, focusing on underground mining environments.
• Proven expertise in rock mass classification systems (e.g., RMR, Q-system) and numerical modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Conduct geotechnical investigations and rock mass characterization for underground mining.
• Develop and implement ground support designs and monitoring plans.
• Perform numerical modeling to assess excavation stability under various stress conditions.
• Provide geotechnical advice to mine planning, operations, and design teams.
• Develop and manage geotechnical monitoring programs, including instrumentation and data analysis.
• Investigate geotechnical incidents and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with geotechnical engineering standards and safety regulations.
• Lead and supervise junior geotechnical engineers and field technicians.

Skills

Rock mechanics

Geotechnical engineering

Numerical modeling

RMR/Q-system analysis

Ground support design

Risk assessment

Technical report writing

Leadership supervision

On-site work

Education

MSc in Geotechnical Engineering

PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

FLAC

UDEC

Phase2

Job description

About the Role Our client, a world-class mining operator, is seeking an experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer to enhance the safety and stability of their underground operations near Kimberley. This critical role involves applying advanced geotechnical principles to assess rock mass characteristics, design support systems, and manage risks associated with underground excavations. The successful candidate will play a key part in ensuring the integrity of mine structures and the safety of personnel. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a leading mining operation in the Northern Cape and make a significant impact on operational safety and efficiency within the South African context. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of safety and providing a challenging yet rewarding career path.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed geotechnical investigations and rock mass characterization for underground mining environments.
• Develop and implement robust ground support designs and monitoring plans.
• Perform numerical modeling (e.g., finite element analysis) to assess the stability of excavations under various stress conditions.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice to mine planning, operations, and design teams.
• Develop and manage geotechnical monitoring programs, including instrumentation and data analysis.
• Investigate and report on geotechnical incidents, recommending corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant geotechnical engineering standards and safety regulations.
• Contribute to the development of geotechnical risk management strategies.
• Supervise junior geotechnical engineers and field technicians.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in geotechnical engineering and their application to mining.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Rock Mechanics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on underground mining environments.
• Proven expertise in rock mass classification systems (e.g., RMR, Q-system) and numerical modeling software (e.g., FLAC, UDEC, Phase2).
• Strong understanding of structural geology and its influence on rock mass behavior.
• Experience in designing and implementing ground support systems for various mining methods.
• Proficiency in analyzing geotechnical monitoring data.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, with experience in technical report writing.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent professional registration is highly desirable.
• Willingness to work on-site in Kimberley and travel to various underground locations.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits package, and performance-based incentives. Employees also have access to a company-sponsored retirement plan, continuous professional development opportunities, and potential relocation assistance to Kimberley. We are committed to a safe and supportive work environment, providing significant career growth potential within the Northern Cape and the broader South African mining industry.