Geotechnical Engineer

The Geotechnical Engineer provides expertise and technical support in geotechnical engineering to ensure the viability, quality, and safety of infrastructure projects in Panama. Responsibilities include issuing technical opinions, preparing technical documents, analyzing designs, and supporting project management in the field, ensuring compliance with relevant codes and standards. The position requires field visits.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and recommendations in geotechnical engineering to ensure viability and quality of infrastructure projects, coordinating corrective measures with the UNOPS team.
• Prepare technical documents, terms of reference, and specialized technical specifications in geotechnics.
• Analyze and validate designs ensuring quality, accuracy, and consistency of geotechnical studies and technical files with actual site conditions.
• Act as a technical resource to resolve complex observations and queries within area of expertise.
• Use geotechnical software (e.g., Geo5, Rocscience or similar) for slope stability modeling and analysis, bearing capacity of shallow and deep foundations, and design of retaining structures.
• Apply relevant national and international codes and regulations for design and execution of geotechnical infrastructure works.
• Design and supervise geotechnical investigation programs (boreholes, field tests, laboratory tests), ensuring quality, traceability, and representativeness of data obtained.
• Analyze soil-structure interaction and define seismic geotechnical design parameters.
• Prepare and review geotechnical technical annexes for bidding and contractor selection processes.
• Draft clarifications, amendments, and technical responses to bidders' queries during contracting processes.
• Participate in clarification meetings as needed.
• Join selection committees to technically evaluate bids in tender processes as required.
• Coordinate and supervise geotechnical components during execution stages to ensure compliance with design standards.
• Evaluate compliance reports and scheduled objectives, issuing technical recommendations to mitigate risks or correct deviations.
• Conduct technical visits to construction sites to gather information and verify geotechnical site conditions.
• Supervise and validate quality control processes of earthworks materials, foundations, and constructed geotechnical elements (field densities, load tests, pile integrity).
• Provide recommendations on management and treatment of problematic soils (expansive, collapsible, soft) and ground improvement techniques.
• Provide technical judgments on suitability of construction methodologies proposed by contractors from a geotechnical perspective.
• Optimize existing geotechnical designs proposing more efficient, economical, or faster-to-construct structural or ground improvement alternatives without compromising safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering or a closely related field is desirable.
• Minimum of 2 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, including design and/or analysis.
• Experience in developing technical specifications and/or terms of reference.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software for modeling and analysis (e.g., Geo5, Rocscience or similar).
• Experience supervising construction of infrastructure projects is desirable.
• Experience working with UNOPS or other UN agencies is desirable.
• Experience in seismic design of geotechnical structures is desirable.
• Must have appropriate computer equipment and necessary software licenses to perform the functions of the contract.
• Position open to local candidates and/or candidates with valid residence or work permit in Panama.

Skills

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Geotechnical Design
• Geotechnical Analysis
• Technical Specifications
• Terms of Reference
• Geotechnical Software
• Geo5
• Rocscience
• Construction Supervision
• Seismic Design
• Technical Report Preparation
• Field Inspection
• Project Management Support
• Infrastructure Project Evaluation

Languages

Spanish, English