Chief Geotechnical Engineer

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Project Overview:

Jubail is one of Bechtel’s most remarkable achievements—a city built from the sand up, requiring vast resources and logistical planning on an unprecedented scale. It the biggest civil engineering project in modern times—and it's getting bigger. Bechtel has managed the Jubail project, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, since it began in the mid-1970s. Bechtel serves as the Management Services Contractor (MSC), or “owner’s representative” for our client, the Royal Commission (RC). We are the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) managers, managing design submissions from local AE firms, and overseeing the actual construction work being performed by local contractors and sub-contractors in Jubail and Ras-Al-Khair Industrial Cities. In June 2021, Bechtel’s contract with the Royal Commission was renewed for another 5 years with work focusing on building new residential communities, iconic buildings/ bridges, major site preparation, commercial buildings, mosques, schools, hospitals, sports facilities, clinics, universities, utility services and infrastructure (electrical sub-stations, lift stations), roads and highways, port & pipeline expansions, and more.

Job Summary:

The position is based in Ras Al-Khair, located approximately 100 kilometers north of Jubail Industrial City. Daily commuting between Jubail and Ras Al-Khair is required, using either the available transportation facility or the shuttle bus service. Accommodation for this role is provided in Jubail Industrial City. Complimentary breakfast and lunch are provided for Ras Al-Khair assignees on workdays.

This position is designated as Single Status only.

Responsible, on behalf of the client, The Royal Commission (RC), for reviewing the basic designs, providing guidance, checking and ensuring Engineering Quality Design of independent Geotechnical Engineering Firms that are carrying out the geotechnical investigations and Geotechnical Design Reports, site preparation and site development of all projects. Responsibility also includes providing the assurance that the Royal Commission technical requirements are being followed in the design and that optimum designs are achieved.

Major Responsibilities:

• Developing a strategic investigation plan for the sites. Assigning tasks to Geologists, Geotechnical Engineers, and other fellow Consultants.
• Provide investigation design, cost estimates (Setting budget and time constraints of investigations), scope-of-work, contracts, and coordination for geotechnical investigations and soils laboratory analysis.
• Scope the field investigations for geotechnical and environmental projects and identify: sampling and logging of drill holes and test pits; Standard Penetration Test (SPT), field tests for the identification of soils using the Unified Soil Classification System including grain size and gradation, toughness, dilatancy, dry strength, etc.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret geotechnical data for building foundations, roads, other engineered structures including bearing capacity, settlement, and erosion.
• Review, evaluate and comment on the slope stability analyses using GeoStudio Slope/W software independently if required. Create, as required 2D and 3D models using computer applications.
• Review of Geotechnical Interpretative Reports (GIR) and working with geotechnical consultants to produce high quality co-coordinated submissions i.e., evaluate and comment on provided field observations, data, maps, and calculations in geology, geotechnical, and environmental reports including taking care of geological hazards while planning the project. Suggesting necessary changes in the project as and when required.
• Review and if required independently analysing the ground stress which includes capacity and stress levels.
• Preserving nature and protecting the environment.
• Assists Field Engineers in solving technical problems to facilitate appropriate solutions.
• Representing the RC in technical meetings, value engineering analysis, and providing technical support to the engineering and construction departments during the design and construction phases.
• Follow-up on the workload and performance of the geotechnical consultant in the field, lab and office.
• Coordinating civil or structural engineering design with geotechnical assessment reports.
• Ensure that the progress of the engineering studies, the schedule of deliverables and the technical requirements of the contract are met.
• Identifies opportunities to innovate and improve geotechnical processes, procedures and deliverables.
• Captures, Reviews and Implements Lesson Learnt.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• M.S. degree in Geotechnical Engineering from an accredited institution or Equivalent degree in Engineering Geology or Civil Engineer with post-graduate degree in Geotechnics is acceptable.
• 10 to 13 years of relevant design, field and project planning experience within multiple discipline projects environment.
• Experience in the analysis and design of onshore/offshore geotechnical design such as foundation systems (including settlement/ bearing capacity analysis, piling analysis, other deep foundations), retention systems, ground improvement services, special applications, dewatering techniques, reclaimed land, site explorations, surveys and material testing; report writing.
• Must be able to demonstrate experience of having worked on a wide range of civil engineering and structural projects, with clear understanding of geotechnical design processes and cross-functional input to P&C and EPC Projects. Knowledge of applicable codes, policies, standards, and best practices.
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Capable of mentoring and supervising junior engineers to enhance their technical and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to manage and lead a team of Geotechnical Engineers, provide technical guidance and functional support, and to interact with other discipline Chiefs, Management, Construction and design consultants.
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse organization, recognizing and respecting differences.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Registered Chartered Professional Engineer of country of acquired education and country of current professional practice.
• Experience in leading internal/in-house project teams of at least 3-to-5 professional persons and design discipline teams of minimum 5-to-10 persons.
• Proficient knowledge of core discipline engineering and project engineering processes and procedures.
• Having been Responsible Engineer of Record and/or Final Certification of Deliverables fit for acceptance to Authorities would be highly regarded.
• Experience in the field of geotechnics and/or prior extensive work experience in related fields.
• Primarily geotechnical experience, in reviewing Consultants designs, reports, calculations, including contract preparation, supervision and management of investigations, preparation of Geotechnical Investigation Reports (factual), geotechnical design, interpretative reporting and calculations (Geotechnical Design Reports) and construction supervision.
• Working within multi-disciplinary Consultancy and having completed geotechnical designs in at least three or more of the following project categories: site preparation and earthworks, road, bridges, Industrial buildings, tunnelling, pipelines, port and marine works.
• Working knowledge of BIM processes, including experience designing projects in BIM/3D Studio, particularly Autodesk software.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive.  Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

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