Master Geotechnical Engineer
Location: Oman
Reporting To: Technical Unit Manager
Job Summary:
The Master Geotechnical Engineer will serve as the company's lead geotechnical authority and technical expert, responsible for establishing and driving geotechnical engineering practices across stockpiles, stacking facilities, material storage areas, distribution centres, and related operational assets.
As the first dedicated geotechnical specialist within the organization, this role will provide technical leadership in stacking methodology, pile design, stability assessment, geotechnical risk management, foundation engineering, and advanced modelling to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable operations.
The role is focused on maximizing storage volume and operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of geotechnical stability, structural integrity, safety, and environmental compliance. The successful candidate will develop optimized stacking strategies, assess and monitor pile performance, prevent slope failures and collapses, improve asset reliability, and support continuous enhancement of material handling and storage systems.
The Master Geotechnical Engineer will provide expert guidance on geotechnical risks, operational improvements, infrastructure development, and long-term asset performance.
As the first dedicated geotechnical specialist within the organization, this role will provide technical leadership in stacking methodology, pile design, stability assessment, geotechnical risk management, foundation engineering, and advanced modelling to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable operations.
The role is focused on maximizing storage volume and operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of geotechnical stability, structural integrity, safety, and environmental compliance. The successful candidate will develop optimized stacking strategies, assess and monitor pile performance, prevent slope failures and collapses, improve asset reliability, and support continuous enhancement of material handling and storage systems.
The Master Geotechnical Engineer will provide expert guidance on geotechnical risks, operational improvements, infrastructure development, and long-term asset performance.
Key Challenges:
- Develop and implement optimal stacking methodologies to maximize storage capacity while maintaining long-term pile stability.
- Establish geotechnical engineering standards, procedures, and governance frameworks across all storage and stockpile facilities.
- Balance operational requirements for increased storage volumes with safety and stability constraints.
- Conduct advanced geotechnical assessments and modelling to predict and mitigate potential slope failures and ground movement.
- Provide technical solutions for foundation, piling, settlement, and ground improvement challenges affecting critical assets.
- Monitor geotechnical performance indicators and implement controls to ensure operational and structural integrity.
- Identify opportunities to enhance equipment performance, material handling processes, and storage efficiency through geotechnical optimization.
- Support strategic planning for future expansions, storage developments, and infrastructure projects.
- Develop geotechnical risk management frameworks and emergency response strategies.
- Ensure compliance with international engineering standards, safety requirements, and environmental regulations.
Main Responsibilities:
Geotechnical Leadership
- Serve as the company's principal geotechnical engineering expert and technical authority.
- Establish and lead geotechnical engineering strategies, standards, procedures, and best practices.
- Provide technical advice and recommendations to senior management regarding geotechnical risks and opportunities.
- Develop and maintain geotechnical governance systems and engineering assurance processes.
Stacking and Stockpile Management (Primary Focus)
- Lead the assessment, design, and optimization of stacking methodologies to achieve maximum storage capacity while ensuring long-term stability.
- Define safe stacking configurations, stacking sequences, lift heights, slope angles, bench designs, and operational limits.
- Evaluate stockpile and material storage performance and recommend improvements to increase storage utilization and operational efficiency.
- Develop geotechnical controls to prevent pile failures, slope instability, settlement, and structural collapses.
- Establish monitoring programs to ensure safe operation of stacking and storage facilities.
- Support operational teams with real-time geotechnical guidance for stacking activities and storage management.
Stability Assessment and Geotechnical Modelling
- Conduct advanced slope stability assessments and geotechnical analyses.
- Develop and review numerical modelling studies for stockpiles, storage facilities, embankments, foundations, and associated infrastructure.
- Utilize industry-standard software such as PLAXIS, Slide2D, RS2, GeoStudio, and other modelling platforms.
- Perform failure analyses and recommend corrective actions for geotechnical issues.
- Assess ground behaviour, material characteristics, settlement, deformation, seepage, and stability performance.
Foundation and Piling Engineering
- Lead geotechnical assessments associated with foundation systems, piles, retaining structures, and critical infrastructure.
- Evaluate piling performance and provide recommendations to ensure long-term asset integrity and structural reliability.
- Review design criteria for foundations and earth structures supporting operational facilities.
- Investigate settlement issues and recommend ground improvement solutions where required.
Distribution Centre and Asset Support
- Provide geotechnical support for Distribution Centre operations and related material handling infrastructure.
- Assess geotechnical risks affecting facilities, storage areas, roads, yards, and operational assets.
- Support infrastructure development projects and facility expansions.
- Ensure geotechnical considerations are incorporated into operational and capital projects.
Safety, Risk Management and Compliance
- Lead geotechnical risk identification, assessment, and mitigation activities.
- Develop monitoring systems and early warning mechanisms for slope instability and ground movement.
- Conduct regular inspections, audits, and technical reviews of storage facilities and critical assets.
- Prepare emergency response plans related to geotechnical hazards.
- Ensure compliance with applicable international standards, industry best practices, and local regulations.
- Promote a strong safety culture and provide technical leadership in geotechnical risk management.
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
- Analyze operational performance data and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Drive continuous enhancement of storage systems, material handling processes, and asset performance.
- Recommend equipment improvements and operational modifications that increase efficiency and reduce risk.
- Develop KPIs to monitor geotechnical performance, stability, storage capacity utilization, and operational effectiveness.
- Support budgeting, strategic planning, and long-term development initiatives.
Technical Reporting and Stakeholder Management
- Prepare technical reports, design reviews, studies, risk assessments, and presentations for management.
- Participate in feasibility studies, infrastructure projects, and capital investment evaluations.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, process control, project engineering, and external consultants.
- Provide coaching and technical guidance to operational and engineering teams on geotechnical best practices.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related discipline. Master's degree preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum 10 years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience within mining, bulk material handling, stockpile management, heavy industry, ports, large material storage facilities, or related sectors.
- Demonstrated experience in stacking optimization, pile stability assessment, and storage facility management.
- Strong background in slope stability, ground engineering, foundation design, and geotechnical risk management.
- Experience supporting large-scale industrial operations and critical infrastructure assets.
- Proven capability to function as a senior technical authority and independent subject matter expert.
Technical Skills:
Advanced knowledge of
- Stockpile and stacking design.
- Slope stability and failure analysis.
- Foundation and piling engineering.
- Ground improvement techniques.
- Material behaviour and bulk material storage systems.
- Geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring systems.
- Risk management and safety engineering.
Proficiency in:
- PLAXIS
- GeoStudio (SLOPE/W, SEEP/W)
- RS2
- Slide2D
- AutoCAD
- Microsoft Office Suite
Personal Competencies:
- Strong leadership and technical advisory capabilities.
- Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior management.
- High level of professional judgment, accountability, and decision-making capability.