Senior Geologist Engineer

Job Summary

The Senior Engineering Geologist serves as a critical technical leader and subject matter expert, bridging the gap between geology and civil/structural engineering for major infrastructure projects. Operating under the fundamental truth that the rock mass is the host, this role acknowledges that we are bound by natural conditions and must perform accordingly.

This position owns the full lifecycle of the project's geological model across three distinct tracts: Pre-Tender & Tender Investigations, Post-Tender Development, and As-Built Model Integration. Success is defined by an unwavering commitment to Safety as the #1 priority, while managing the cost efficiencies and schedules that dictate project economics.

Core Project Philosophy

• Safety First: Total commitment to zero-harm engineering, ensuring geological risks are mitigated before and during excavation to protect field crews, the public, and the asset.
• Economic Stewardship: Driving cost efficiency and schedule adherence by providing accurate, timely geological forecasting that prevents costly design changes, delays, and contractual disputes.
• Respect for the Host: Designing and executing engineering solutions that respect the natural, unyielding realities of the ground conditions encountered.

Core Responsibilities

Tract 1: Pre-Tender & Tender Investigations

• Desk Studies & Historical Research: Conduct and oversee comprehensive desk studies, researching and synthesizing historical geotechnical information, regional geological literature, and legacy data to establish baseline site conditions and de-risk early bidding.
• Investigation Design: Plan, scope, and direct targeted subsurface investigation programs to optimize data collection, balancing thoroughness with tender schedule constraints.
• Advanced Field Characterization: Oversee or perform advanced geological mapping, structural geology analysis, and core logging to validate desk study models.
• Geologic Hazard Assessment: Identify and quantify complex geologic risks (e.g., fault zones, squeezing ground, water inflows) to protect project economics and safety profiles from day one.

Tract 2: Post-Tender Development(Model Refinement)

• Model Expansion & Optimization: Build upon the preliminary pre-tender model, integrating newly acquired design-phase subsurface data to refine engineering parameters and optimize construction costs.
• Rock Mass Classification: Expertly apply RMR (Rock Mass Rating) and underground Q-system mapping to characterize ground conditions, accurately estimate stand-up time, and determine definitive support requirements for tunnels, shafts, and open-cut excavations.
• Advanced Subsurface Modelling: Interpret complex, multi-source data to construct and maintain accurate 2D and 3D geological and geotechnical models using Leapfrog.
• Instrumentation & Monitoring: Design and interpret data from geotechnical instrumentation networks (e.g., inclinometers, piezometers) to monitor excavation performance against design assumptions, ensuring safety and schedule preservation.

Tract 3: As-Built Model Integration(Construction Phase)

• Face Mapping & Documentation: Oversee active excavation mapping, documenting the true, exposed geological and structural conditions in real-time as tunnelling, shaft sinking, or open-cut excavation progresses.
• As-Built Modelling: Dynamically update the 3D Leapfrog model to merge original predictive data with actual encountered ground conditions, creating a definitive geological As-Built record.
• Design Verification & Adaptability: Compare real-world findings against post tender design assumptions to verify ground support selection, immediately flagging variations to keep construction safe, cost-efficient, and on schedule.

Mentorship, Collaboration &Stakeholder Engagement

• Elite Technical Mentorship: Supervise, train, and mentor junior geologists and engineers, instilling a high standard of precision in field logging, data analysis, structural mapping, and clear technical writing.
• High-Impact Data Presentation: Translate complex 2D/3D geological model sand geotechnical risks into highly polished, intuitive visual presentations and technical narratives tailored to both expert and non-technical audiences.
• Interdisciplinary Synthesis & Collaboration: Partner seamlessly with structural engineers, tunnel designers, construction managers, and environmental scientists, serving as the critical communicative bridge that ensures geological realities are perfectly integrated into engineering designs.
• Strategic Client & Regulatory Interface: Serve as a trusted technical ambassador in high-stakes meetings with clients, joint-venture partners, and regulatory authorities; confidently present and defend technical findings, risk assessments, and engineering recommendations.
• Real-Time Construction Liaison: Communicate dynamic, changing ground conditions clearly and immediately to project managers and construction crews during active excavation, ensuring safety, contract compliance, and rapid decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering Geology, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a closely related Geoscience discipline.
• Licensure: Professional Geologist (PG), Certified Professional Geologist (CPG), or Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG) license required (or equivalent regional charter/registration, e.g., CGeol / P.Eng).
• Experience: Typically requires 8 to 12+ years of progressive experience in engineering geology or geotechnical consulting, with a proven track record of leading heavy civil infrastructure or underground construction projects.
• Technical Skills:

o   Proficiency with geological mapping, geotechnical software, and advanced 3D subsurface modelling using Leapfrog.

o   Deep operational knowledge of rock mass classification systems (Q and RMR) specifically applied to underground works and deep open excavations.

o   Strong command of rock mechanics, structural geology, discontinuities mapping, and hydrogeology.

o   Familiarity with relevant civil engineering design codes, excavation support standards, and environmental regulations.

Physical & Environmental Demands

• Ability to travel to project sites and work safely in outdoor or underground environments, occasionally across rugged, remote, or steep terrain.
• Comfort working inside tunnels, shafts, and around heavy field equipment under varying weather and underground construction conditions.