Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Company Overview

Gibb Ritchie Geotechnical Engineers is a dedicated geotechnical consultancy focusing on high-quality investigations, analyses, designs, and risk communication across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. The company prioritizes straightforward thinking, sound judgement, and practical engineering solutions over needless complexity.

Role Overview

As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, you will assume a pivotal technical role within the company. You will take full responsibility for delivering high-standard geotechnical designs, analyses, and reports across diverse projects. This position offers substantial professional autonomy, opportunities for mentoring less experienced engineers, and the chance to influence workflows, technical standards, and the company's future direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Own development of ground models, geotechnical analysis, design, and reporting tasks.
• Lead and deliver geotechnical design outputs such as foundations, slopes, retaining structures, and earthworks tailored to your expertise.
• Create clear, well-organized, and technically sound interpretive reports, drawings, and specifications for clients, planners, and regulators.
• Apply expert professional judgement to assess and manage geotechnical risks and uncertainties.
• Utilize geotechnical analysis and design software to ensure efficient and defensible results.
• Review and approve work prepared by graduate and intermediate engineers.
• Provide mentoring, technical guidance, and informal supervision to developing engineers and geologists.
• Participate in site investigations and targeted fieldwork to support designs and reporting.
• Engage collaboratively with clients, planners, and project teams to achieve project success.
• Adhere consistently to quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of technical processes, systems, and standards in the business.

Candidate Profile

• Possesses 6 to 10+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering, with postgraduate qualifications being a plus.
• Actively working towards or already accredited as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng).
• Strong practical knowledge of geotechnical engineering concepts and local ground conditions.
• Proven skills in geotechnical analysis, design, and producing interpretive reports.
• Experienced in using geotechnical software for slope stability, foundation and bearing capacity assessment, earthworks, retaining design, and seismic evaluation.
• Ability to produce clear, concise, and consent-ready reports and drawings.
• Confident working autonomously while knowing when to seek input from peers.
• Ability to mentor and constructively support junior staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Well-developed organizational and time management abilities.
• Committed to quality work standards and safe work systems.
• Holds a full New Zealand driver's licence and is eligible to work in New Zealand.

What We Offer

• Engaging, meaningful projects with senior responsibility for complex geotechnical design and reporting.
• Opportunity to influence technical standards, workflows, and systems in a growing consultancy.
• Support and mentoring to achieve Chartered or Professional Engineer registration.
• Clear career paths towards Associate or Principal roles based on capability and interests.
• A collaborative, professional environment that values good judgement, integrity, and quality engineering.
• Direct client and consulting exposure, tackling real-world challenges.
• Robust quality, safety, and project delivery systems.
• Competitive salary with bonus structure aligned to experience and capability.
• Financial and mentoring support toward professional registration and paid membership fees where relevant.
• Flexible working arrangements when feasible.
• Modern digital workplace and supportive team culture with approachable leadership.
• Secure, long-term role with a specialist consultancy dedicated to growth.