Geotechnical Engineering Manager

🏗️ We're Hiring: Geotechnical Engineering ManagerLocation: United Arab Emirates (Remote)Employment Type: Full-TimeExperience Level: Mid-Level to SeniorWork Arrangement: Fully RemoteAbout UsWe are a globally focused organization delivering complex construction, engineering, infrastructure, commercial, industrial, residential, energy, transportation, and development projects across diverse markets.Our distributed teams collaborate across Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering, Architecture, BIM, Construction, Project Management, Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Procurement, Quality, HSE, Commercial, and external consultants to develop safe, economical, constructible, and technically robust ground-engineering solutions.The RoleWe are seeking an experienced Geotechnical Engineering Manager to lead geotechnical engineering strategy, ground investigations, site characterization, soil and rock assessment, foundation engineering, earthworks, slope stability, retaining systems, excavation support, groundwater assessment, geotechnical analysis, design review, construction support, risk management, consultant management, and technical quality assurance.The successful candidate will provide technical and managerial leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from feasibility and site investigation through concept design, detailed design, tender, construction, monitoring, and project closeout.Key ResponsibilitiesGeotechnical Engineering LeadershipDevelop and implement geotechnical engineering strategies aligned with project objectives, applicable codes, site conditions, client requirements, and construction methodologies.Lead geotechnical engineering teams across multiple projects and disciplines.Establish technical standards, procedures, workflows, design-review processes, and quality controls.Provide technical leadership on complex ground and foundation engineering issues.Geotechnical FeasibilityLead preliminary geotechnical assessments for potential projects.Evaluate:Ground ConditionsGeological SettingGroundwaterFoundation ConditionsExcavation RequirementsSlope StabilitySettlement RiskGeotechnical HazardsSite Investigation StrategyDevelop site-investigation strategies based on:Project TypeStructureSite ConditionsGeological ComplexityFoundation RequirementsConstruction MethodDefine appropriate investigation scope, depth, spacing, testing requirements, and reporting standards.Key Performance IndicatorsPerformance may be measured through:Ground-investigation completion rateInvestigation schedule adherenceInvestigation data qualityBorehole and field-testing accuracyLaboratory testing complianceGround-model accuracyGeotechnical parameter validationGeotechnical design delivery on-time rateDesign review cycle timeEngineering response timeGeotechnical design error rateDesign rework rateCalculation review findingsTechnical report acceptance rateIndependent design-check findingsPeer-review findingsFoundation design complianceFoundation performancePile-testing pass ratePile capacity verificationSettlement prediction accuracyDifferential-settlement performanceExcavation-support performanceGround-movement performanceSlope-stability performanceGround-improvement performanceCompaction complianceEarthworks qualityGroundwater-control performanceDewatering effectivenessGeotechnical instrumentation reliabilityMonitoring-data availabilityTrigger-level response timeGeotechnical NCR rateGeotechnical defect rateConstruction-related geotechnical issuesUnexpected-ground-condition response timeGeotechnical technical-query turnaround timeRFI response timeDesign-change turnaround timeGeotechnical risk identification rateRisk mitigation effectivenessGeohazard closure rateConsultant performanceSpecialist contractor performanceInvestigation contractor performanceLaboratory performanceGeotechnical engineering budget adherenceGeotechnical cost varianceValue-engineering savingsGround-improvement cost optimizationFoundation cost optimizationExcavation cost optimizationDigital ground-model adoptionBIM coordination performanceDigital engineering adoptionAI-assisted engineering adoptionEngineering productivityResource utilizationEngineering workload forecast accuracyDocumentation completenessTechnical audit findingsLessons-learned implementationTraining completionTeam competency developmentStakeholder satisfactionIdeal CandidateThe successful candidate should have extensive experience in Geotechnical Engineering, Foundation Engineering, Ground Engineering, Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Design Management, or related disciplines.The candidate should demonstrate:Proven experience leading geotechnical engineering teams on major building, infrastructure, transportation, industrial, energy, marine, commercial, residential, or mixed-use projects.Strong technical knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, foundation engineering, site investigation, earthworks, excavation, retaining systems, slope stability, groundwater, and ground improvement.Extensive experience managing geotechnical investigations from planning and fieldwork through laboratory testing, interpretation, reporting, and design.Strong understanding of shallow and deep foundation design, pile behavior, bearing capacity, settlement, lateral loading, uplift, and soil-structure interaction.Experience with complex excavation support, deep basements, retaining systems, dewatering, ground movement, and adjacent-structure protection.Strong experience with ground-improvement technologies and verification methods.Experience assessing geotechnical seismic hazards including liquefaction and seismic settlement where applicable.Experience with slope stability, embankments, infrastructure earthworks, and geohazard assessment.Strong knowledge of applicable geotechnical codes, standards, testing procedures, and engineering practices.Experience with geotechnical numerical modeling and software such as PLAXIS, GeoStudio, FLAC, MIDAS GTS, GEO5, or equivalent platforms.Experience with BIM, GIS, 3D ground modeling, digital geotechnical databases, and engineering data-management systems.Experience managing geotechnical consultants, laboratories, investigation contractors, piling contractors, ground-improvement contractors, and specialist engineering providers.Strong experience with technical reviews, independent checking, peer review, geotechnical QA/QC, construction support, monitoring, and risk management.Experience supporting tendering, technical bid evaluation, procurement, value engineering, constructability reviews, and commercial cost optimization.Experience investigating unexpected ground conditions, foundation problems, settlement, excavation movement, groundwater issues, and geotechnical nonconformances.Experience with geotechnical instrumentation and observational methods is advantageous.Experience with tunnels, marine works, reclamation, high-rise developments, deep excavations, major infrastructure, or complex ground conditions is advantageous.Knowledge of UAE and GCC geological conditions, ground behavior, groundwater, construction practices, authority requirements, and geotechnical risks is highly advantageous.Relevant degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, Geological Engineering, or a related discipline.Advanced qualifications in Geotechnical Engineering are advantageous.Professional registration or chartered status such as PE, CEng, EurGeol, or equivalent is highly desirable.Membership of professional institutions such as ISSMGE, ICE, IStructE, Geological Society, or equivalent is advantageous.Strong written and verbal English communication skills; additional languages are advantageous.Excellent technical leadership, analytical, numerical, project-management, stakeholder-management, and problem-solving capabilities.Ability to translate complex ground conditions and geotechnical uncertainties into practical engineering solutions and clear project risks.Ability to balance technical safety, constructability, cost, schedule, uncertainty, environmental considerations, and client requirements.Ability to manage multiple projects, investigations, consultants, technical reviews, construction issues, and competing priorities simultaneously.Ability to work independently in a fully remote and internationally distributed environment.Strong technically rigorous, ground-focused, safety-conscious, risk-aware, analytical, constructability-oriented, commercially conscious, data-driven, innovative, collaborative, proactive, and results-driven mindset