Technical Director - Geotechnical Engineering
Sydney, NSW | Permanent, Full-Time
A specialist geotechnical consultancy delivering services across site investigation, geotechnical design and analysis, risk and review, and construction support is seeking a Technical Director to lead complex project delivery, grow client relationships and help shape its continued development.
Senior leaders remain actively involved in technical delivery, client engagement, and mentoring.
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership role inside a genuinely specialist practice, with genuine technical peers. Independent, technically focused and agile, the business has built its reputation on delivering quality geotechnical outcomes across infrastructure, water, energy generation and transmission, defence, data centres, industrial and commercial developments, major construction and resources projects throughout Australasia.
Projects range from major transport and energy infrastructure through to defence, resources, data centres and complex commercial developments. Technical collaboration is embedded in the way the practice operates: experienced specialists with diverse project backgrounds, supported by extensive technical resources and lessons learned from a wide range of complex projects, and a culture where technical peer review is embedded in project delivery.
What You'll Be Doing
Technical Leadership
* Provide senior technical authority across a broad portfolio of geotechnical projects from site investigation through detailed design and construction support
* Review and approve complex deliverables including geotechnical interpretive reports, design reports, numerical models, specifications, and construction documentation
* Provide independent technical review, expert advice and specialist geotechnical guidance on high-risk and high-profile projects
* Maintain active involvement through the construction phase, ensuring designs are properly implemented and ground conditions are continuously assessed
Business Development
* Build and deepen client relationships, identify opportunities, and lead pursuits, proposals, and technical presentations
* Represent the practice at client forums, industry events, and technical committees
* Contribute to strategic positioning across key sectors and geographies
Mentoring and Knowledge Transfer
* Actively mentor and develop engineers at all levels, from graduate through to senior, providing technical guidance, career direction, and genuine investment in their growth
* Lead knowledge sharing across the practice - contributing to internal technical forums, design reviews, and the collective capability of a specialist team
* Play a visible role in building the next generation of geotechnical leaders within the practice
People and Practice
* Contribute to business strategy, technical standards, and capability investment
* Support a culture of continuous improvement, technical rigour, and shared accountability for outcomes
About You
You will bring a strong technical reputation in geotechnical engineering, combined with the leadership and commercial instincts to operate effectively at director level.
Essential
* Degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering - postgraduate qualification strongly preferred
* 18+ years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience with a strong portfolio of complex infrastructure projects in the Australian market
* Deep technical expertise across multiple of: deep and shallow foundations, retaining structures, deep excavations, slope stability, embankments, soft ground, or ground improvement
* Proficiency with numerical modelling tools such as PLAXIS, Slide2, Slope/W, Seep/W, SETTLE3, or equivalent - and sound judgement in their application
* Demonstrated capability interpreting ground investigation programs and leading preparation or review of GIRs and GDRs
* Proven track record as a technical principal and senior reviewer on significant projects
* Strong client-facing skills - managing relationships, identifying opportunities, and leading proposals
* CPEng (or equivalent) - essential
Desirable
* Sector experience across two or more of: renewables and energy transmission, transport (road or rail), Defence, data centres, resources, or major construction
* Experience with seismic engineering, liquefaction assessment, or rock engineering
* Familiarity with marine, port, or offshore geotechnics
* National project exposure across multiple Australian jurisdictions
Why Join
* A specialist practice where every conversation is a technical one - faster decisions, sharper peer review, and genuine collegial depth
* Full service capability across the geotechnical lifecycle, including investigation, design, risk & opportunity advisory, review, construction support - so the work is varied and the problems are real
* Direct access to senior client stakeholders who value technical input and informed advice
* Access to extensive technical resources, shared project knowledge, and lessons learned from many years of complex project delivery
* Sector diversity that keeps the work substantive - transmission corridors, rail infrastructure, renewable energy precincts, and everything in between
* A genuine mentoring culture - the practice invests in its people and expects its senior leaders to do the same
* Real influence over practice direction, technical standards, and team development
* Competitive remuneration reflective of the seniority and calibre required
* Sydney base, with occasional project travel as required
How to Apply
Apply with your CV and a brief covering note outlining your technical background and sector experience.
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