Geotechnical Engineer – Civil & Retaining Structures

About the role

The Geotechnical Engineer (Civil & Retaining Structures) will act as a subject‑matter expert for the development, unification, and implementation of national geotechnical standards. The role ensures that earthworks, foundations and retaining structures across the Kingdom are designed with consistent safety factors, material specifications and environmental considerations.

Key responsibilities

• Author and review technical chapters on soil mechanics, slope stability and retaining wall systems (gravity, cantilever, embedded).
• Develop and refine criteria for retaining structures, embankments and soil‑structure interaction to be integrated into national standardisation frameworks.
• Collaborate with structural, civil and materials engineers to embed geotechnical requirements into broader standards.
• Engage industry stakeholders, regulatory authorities and technical committees to gather input, validate assumptions and drive consensus.
• Assess geotechnical risks and propose standardised mitigation strategies.
• Harmonise local practices with international codes (Eurocodes, ASTM, AASHTO) while adapting them to Saudi geological conditions.
• Establish unified safety factors for bearing capacity, settlement and seismic loading.
• Define design procedures for modern retaining solutions such as MSE, gabions and sheet piling.
• Set national requirements for sub‑surface drainage and corrosion protection in aggressive soils.
• Support training, workshops and knowledge‑sharing initiatives to promote standard adoption.

Required profile

• Subject‑matter expertise in geotechnical engineering and national standards development.
• Proven ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Saudi geological conditions (e.g., sabkha soils, karst features).
• Experience in risk assessment and mitigation for geotechnical projects.

Required skills

• CAD software
• Gabions
• Geotechnical design
• Slope stability analysis
• Sheet piling
• Soil mechanics
• Retaining wall systems