Geotechnical Engineer - QA-QC - Central Africa

 

Geotechnical Engineer 

Department: QA/QC

Location: DRC (working closely with local staff and stakeholders)

Purpose: Provide geotechnical investigation and construction materials testing services for internal projects and third‑party clients through the CLIENT’S Laboratory, and make the lab a commercially successful profit centre.

Reporting and team structure

• Reports to: QA/QC Head of Department (HOD), with regular weekly communication and reviews, and more frequent interaction during project peak periods.
• Direct reports: One Lab Technician, plus functional oversight of any additional technicians or support staff assigned to geotechnical and materials testing activities.​
• Internal customers: Project delivery teams, engineering, QA/QC, and management, providing test results, interpretations, and technical advice.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and supervise geotechnical and construction materials testing in accordance with ASTM, BS, BIS, SANS, EN, ISO and relevant French standards, as per customer and engineering requirements.​
• Develop and implement a complete laboratory management system aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 for construction materials, geotechnical, non‑destructive, and chemical testing, including SOPs, quality control, calibration, and documentation.​
• Interpret and integrate site investigation and laboratory data into Cable Route Burial Assessments, Burial Assessment Studies and feasibility studies for projects, ensuring reliable geotechnical input for route design and burial risk assessments.​
• Lead all aspects of geotechnical service delivery (planning, scheduling, testing, reporting) to internal and external customers, ensuring quality, timeliness, and strong commercial awareness.
• Prepare, review, and approve laboratory test reports; ensure proper maintenance of hard and soft copies of all reports and technical records in an auditable manner.​
• Establish and maintain a laboratory equipment assurance program, including routine maintenance, internal checks, and external calibration in line with ISO 17025 and accreditation body guidance.​
• Support business development of the CLIENT’S laboratory, including building technical relationships with clients, assisting in pricing and proposals, and driving increased utilisation and profitability.
• Provide line management and mentoring to the Lab Technician and any junior geotechnical staff, including performance objectives, technical development, and coaching on safety, quality, and behaviour.
• Ensure compliance with company HSE policies and promote a strong safety culture in all laboratory and site‑related activities.

Performance objectives and KPIs

First 30 days

• Gain full understanding of current laboratory equipment, capabilities, and condition; document status and operational readiness.
• Prepare a project‑wise list of required tests, capacity gaps, and associated budget for equipment, consumables, and calibrations.

First 90 days

• Implement a routine schedule for equipment maintenance and internal checks; ensure basic calibration status is clear and documented.​
• Begin conducting daily/weekly/monthly tests as per project needs, and issue clear, timely reports to relevant project heads.
• Establish a reliable documentation and archiving system for all lab reports (hard copy and digital).

First 6–9 months

• Develop and implement a comprehensive laboratory working system fulfilling ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for construction materials, geotechnical, non‑destructive, and chemical testing, targeting audit‑ready status.
• Prepare a complete laboratory manual and SOPs for all relevant test methods and ensure 100% implementation in day‑to‑day work.
• Support the commercial development of the CLIENT’S laboratory, contributing to a clear revenue pipeline and improving net profit margins.

One‑year outcome and financial contribution

• Full responsibility and accountability for geotechnical laboratory delivery across in‑house and external projects, with demonstrable improvements in:
• Net profit (NP) from lab activities.
• Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Return on Investment (ROI) for the laboratory setup.
• Improved invoice realisation and collection (IM).
• Recognised internal expert and point of contact for all geotechnical testing and interpretation across the project life cycle.

Required qualifications and background

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering with geotechnical specialisation, or closely related discipline.
• Experience:
• Significant experience working in reputed, certified geotechnical or construction materials testing laboratories (preferably ISO 17025 accredited).
• Hands‑on experience with key geotechnical tests (e.g., classification, consolidation, triaxial, direct shear, CBR, permeability) and construction materials testing.
• Exposure to marine / cable route burial, burial risk or feasibility assessments is an advantage.
• Standards knowledge: Strong working knowledge of ASTM, BS, BIS, SANS, EN, ISO and relevant French standards for geotechnical and materials testing.

Skills and competencies

• Technical and professional competence: Deep understanding of geotechnical investigation methods, laboratory procedures, and data interpretation.
• Network building and relationship management: Ability to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external clients, and regulators.
• Relationship selling and commercial awareness: Able to position CLIENT’S lab services, support pricing, and contribute to profitable growth.
• Laboratory management: Planning, scheduling, resource allocation, inventory management, and cost control for the lab.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for reports, presentations, and client discussions; willingness to learn French/local languages as needed.
• Leadership: Confident, hands‑on leader who can guide technicians, enforce standards, and drive performance.

Personality and cultural fit

• Positive attitude, professional and respectful behaviour, especially when working with local DRC staff and communities.
• Polite, patient, and culturally sensitive, able to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong ownership mindset focused on making the CLIENT’S laboratory a commercially successful, high‑quality service provider.

Training and development

• French and local language training where required.
• On‑the‑job technical training on company systems, standards, and project requirements.
• Safety, quality, and behavioural training to align with company culture and HSE expectations.

 

Interested candidate send resume dharmendra@karmaasolutions.com