T
Provincial Geotechnical Engineer (3002) at The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)
August 27, 2026
Full-time
On-site
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
NQF level 8 Qualification: B.Eng. / BSc Civil Engineering.
Minimum 10 years' relevant civil engineering experience post registration.
Minimum 5 years' experience in geotechnical investigations, pile design, settlement calculations, slope stability assessments, and bearing capacity calculations, etc.
Minimum 3 years managerial experience.
The Candidate must have at least 10 years working experience in related industry, and specialist experience in Geotechnical Engineering.
Must be registered as a Professional Engineer with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
Added advantage:
Post graduate degree (M. Eng / MSc) with focus on Geotechnical Engineering is advantageous.
Prior engineering consulting experience advantageous.
WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES
Progressive knowledge and technical understanding of excavations, foundations, slopes and earthworks, as well as soil mechanics.
Knowledge of relevant COTO TRH Guidelines.
Working knowledge of industry standard software for geotechnical design and analysis.
Extensive knowledge of relevant industry standards, specifications and legislation.
Extensive knowledge of civil design and construction practices related to road works, as well as the road network maintenance and operations activities.
Knowledge and understanding of the South African Pavement Engineering Manual (SAPEM).
Skills
Ability to examine information and facts in detail to gain a comprehensive understanding.
Ability to pay close attention to details and complete tasks with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and completeness.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Sound ability to manage contracts made with third party vendors, contractors or consultants and the ability to negotiate, support and manage the effectiveness of those contracts.
Ability to objectively analyse and evaluate issues and factual evidence in order to form judgements.
Accountability for setting and management of budget allocation for area of control.
Ability to lead by example, influencing, guiding and motivating people to act towards achieving a common goal.
A high level of computer proficiency is required in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ensure the Talent Management and Performance Management activities of team are conducted and leveraged to manage Talent in team.
Ability to identify and define problems, evaluate available options to address, select the best course of action and implement the selected solution.
Ability to co-ordinate and efficiently manage resources, time and budgets for multiple projects.
Demonstrated success at building and managing meaningful relationships with employees, business leadership and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage and oversee the successful management of critical strategic internal, public and media stakeholders.
Key Performance Areas include, but not limited to:
Project identification and planning
Co-ordinate geotechnical assessments required for route alignment determination during strategic road network planning
Review preliminary geotechnical assessment reports and provide input
Participate in the identification and prioritisation of projects in region requiring geotechnical investigations and design, or is required to address issues with slope stability
Facilitate discussions with other authorities impacted by projects e.g. Eskom/Transnet
Prepare and manage overall budget for assigned design projects
Determine resources (i.e. Geotechnical Engineers) required to execute planned projects and if adequate capacity is available
Assign design projects and associated budget to Geotechnical Engineer to execute
Oversee procurement for design phase
Review and approve tender documentation for the appointment of consultants.
Ensure compliance to SANRAL's procurement policy.
Review all contracts for assigned design projects.
Provincial oversight over design projects
Oversee the performance of all design projects managed by Geotechnical engineers in the region.
Conduct regular status meetings with Geotechnical Engineers to discuss the progress of projects, financial performance and cashflows, issues and risks, and any other project or contract related matters.
Manage any contractual issues on projects that have been escalated by the Geotechnical Engineer.
Guide and support Geotechnical Engineers with project management and community engagement related activities when required.
Conduct ad-hoc construction site visits.
Ensure all required documentation is electronically uploaded into the records management system and/or submitted for physical storage.
Review and approve payment certificates.
Cultivate and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Monitor the performance of Geotechnical Engineers and provide feedback to enable professional growth.
Act as a mentor for candidate engineers with an interest specialising in geotechnical engineering.
Slope Management System (SMS)
Review and analyse information captured in the SMS relating to slope conditions and slope stability issues that are being monitored.
Advice on appropriate action for slope stability issues that have been escalated by the Route Manager (RRM).
Co-ordinate slope failure and high-risk site investigations.
Technical advisory and support
Study and evaluate design reports and drawings for all regional projects to ensure that appropriate geotechnical design standards are met.
Provide geotechnical advisory services to external parties in region (e.g. Provincial Department) in areas such as such as slope stability, pavements, foundations, bearing capacity, retaining walls and excavation design.
Support Geotechnical Engineers in region with developing recommendations based on review of geotechnical investigation and analysis reports.
Actively participate in the Geotechnical functional working group.
Share knowledge and experience with colleagues.
Maintain good working relationships with all colleagues in all regions and areas of expertise.
Closing date for applications: 31 August 2026
NQF level 8 Qualification: B.Eng. / BSc Civil Engineering.
Minimum 10 years' relevant civil engineering experience post registration.
Minimum 5 years' experience in geotechnical investigations, pile design, settlement calculations, slope stability assessments, and bearing capacity calculations, etc.
Minimum 3 years managerial experience.
The Candidate must have at least 10 years working experience in related industry, and specialist experience in Geotechnical Engineering.
Must be registered as a Professional Engineer with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
Added advantage:
Post graduate degree (M. Eng / MSc) with focus on Geotechnical Engineering is advantageous.
Prior engineering consulting experience advantageous.
WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES
Progressive knowledge and technical understanding of excavations, foundations, slopes and earthworks, as well as soil mechanics.
Knowledge of relevant COTO TRH Guidelines.
Working knowledge of industry standard software for geotechnical design and analysis.
Extensive knowledge of relevant industry standards, specifications and legislation.
Extensive knowledge of civil design and construction practices related to road works, as well as the road network maintenance and operations activities.
Knowledge and understanding of the South African Pavement Engineering Manual (SAPEM).
Skills
Ability to examine information and facts in detail to gain a comprehensive understanding.
Ability to pay close attention to details and complete tasks with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and completeness.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Sound ability to manage contracts made with third party vendors, contractors or consultants and the ability to negotiate, support and manage the effectiveness of those contracts.
Ability to objectively analyse and evaluate issues and factual evidence in order to form judgements.
Accountability for setting and management of budget allocation for area of control.
Ability to lead by example, influencing, guiding and motivating people to act towards achieving a common goal.
A high level of computer proficiency is required in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ensure the Talent Management and Performance Management activities of team are conducted and leveraged to manage Talent in team.
Ability to identify and define problems, evaluate available options to address, select the best course of action and implement the selected solution.
Ability to co-ordinate and efficiently manage resources, time and budgets for multiple projects.
Demonstrated success at building and managing meaningful relationships with employees, business leadership and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage and oversee the successful management of critical strategic internal, public and media stakeholders.
Key Performance Areas include, but not limited to:
Project identification and planning
Co-ordinate geotechnical assessments required for route alignment determination during strategic road network planning
Review preliminary geotechnical assessment reports and provide input
Participate in the identification and prioritisation of projects in region requiring geotechnical investigations and design, or is required to address issues with slope stability
Facilitate discussions with other authorities impacted by projects e.g. Eskom/Transnet
Prepare and manage overall budget for assigned design projects
Determine resources (i.e. Geotechnical Engineers) required to execute planned projects and if adequate capacity is available
Assign design projects and associated budget to Geotechnical Engineer to execute
Oversee procurement for design phase
Review and approve tender documentation for the appointment of consultants.
Ensure compliance to SANRAL's procurement policy.
Review all contracts for assigned design projects.
Provincial oversight over design projects
Oversee the performance of all design projects managed by Geotechnical engineers in the region.
Conduct regular status meetings with Geotechnical Engineers to discuss the progress of projects, financial performance and cashflows, issues and risks, and any other project or contract related matters.
Manage any contractual issues on projects that have been escalated by the Geotechnical Engineer.
Guide and support Geotechnical Engineers with project management and community engagement related activities when required.
Conduct ad-hoc construction site visits.
Ensure all required documentation is electronically uploaded into the records management system and/or submitted for physical storage.
Review and approve payment certificates.
Cultivate and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Monitor the performance of Geotechnical Engineers and provide feedback to enable professional growth.
Act as a mentor for candidate engineers with an interest specialising in geotechnical engineering.
Slope Management System (SMS)
Review and analyse information captured in the SMS relating to slope conditions and slope stability issues that are being monitored.
Advice on appropriate action for slope stability issues that have been escalated by the Route Manager (RRM).
Co-ordinate slope failure and high-risk site investigations.
Technical advisory and support
Study and evaluate design reports and drawings for all regional projects to ensure that appropriate geotechnical design standards are met.
Provide geotechnical advisory services to external parties in region (e.g. Provincial Department) in areas such as such as slope stability, pavements, foundations, bearing capacity, retaining walls and excavation design.
Support Geotechnical Engineers in region with developing recommendations based on review of geotechnical investigation and analysis reports.
Actively participate in the Geotechnical functional working group.
Share knowledge and experience with colleagues.
Maintain good working relationships with all colleagues in all regions and areas of expertise.
Closing date for applications: 31 August 2026