Senior Rock Engineering Specialist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote work infrastructure support

Medical aid and retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Rock Engineering Specialist to support advanced technical services remotely, with occasional site travel near Vereeniging, Gauteng. You will guide rock mass behavior analysis and assist in safety-critical design and risk mitigation for mining operations.

The role emphasizes expert guidance, design standards, and collaboration with mine planning and operations, while enabling remote work with periodic field engagement.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. with specialization in Rock Mechanics.
• Minimum 10 years in rock engineering in underground hard rock/open-pit mining.
• Proficiency in numerical modeling software for geotechnical analysis.
• Strong rock mechanics theory, lab tests, and field investigations.
• Experience designing and implementing ground support systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct geotechnical investigations to assess rock mass conditions and stability.
• Develop and manage rock engineering design standards for underground and surface mining.
• Use numerical modeling to simulate rock behavior and predict failures.
• Design and optimize ground support systems and reinforcement techniques.
• Monitor ground conditions and analyze data for hazards and performance.

Skills

Rock mechanics

Numerical modeling

Ground support design

Technical reporting

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Mining/Geotechnical Eng (Rock Mechanics)

Ph.D. in Mining/Geotechnical Eng or related (Rock Mechanics)

Tools

UDEC

FLAC

Map3D

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the mining sector, is seeking a highly qualified Senior Rock Engineering Specialist to join their advanced technical services team, contributing remotely but with occasional travel to sites near Vereeniging, Gauteng . This role is crucial for ensuring the stability and safety of underground excavations and surface structures within their mining operations. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of rock mechanics principles, numerical modeling techniques, and practical application in mining environments. You will be responsible for providing expert analysis and guidance on rock mass behavior, support design, and risk mitigation. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your expertise in a remote capacity while impacting major mining projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth geotechnical investigations and analyses to assess rock mass conditions and stability.
• Develop, implement, and manage rock engineering design standards and guidelines for underground and surface mining.
• Utilize advanced numerical modeling software (e.g., UDEC, FLAC, Map3D) to simulate rock behavior and predict failure mechanisms.
• Design and optimize rock support systems, including ground support patterns and reinforcement techniques.
• Monitor ground conditions using instrumentation and analyze data to assess performance and identify potential hazards.
• Provide expert technical advice and recommendations to mine planning, design, and operations teams.
• Conduct peer reviews of rock engineering designs and assessments.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of seismic hazard management strategies.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, specifications, and presentations.
• Mentor junior rock engineers and share knowledge within the technical community.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mining Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline with a specialization in Rock Mechanics.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in rock engineering, with a significant focus on underground hard rock or open-pit mining.
• Expert proficiency in numerical modeling software for geotechnical analysis.
• Strong understanding of rock mechanics theory, laboratory testing, and field investigations.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing ground support systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Superb communication and report-writing abilities, suitable for remote interaction.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple projects.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) or equivalent registration is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to mining sites as required.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive remote work infrastructure support, and performance-based incentives.
• A full suite of benefits, including medical aid, life insurance, and a generous retirement fund, is provided.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development, including advanced training, research collaboration, and attendance at international forums, are emphasized.
• The role offers significant autonomy and the flexibility of remote work, with impactful contributions to major mining projects across various locations, including support for operations near Vereeniging, Gauteng .
• Our client champions innovation and provides a supportive environment for technical experts.