Create futures worth inheriting with SMEC and the SJ Group

About SJ Group

At SJ, we’re building identity into infrastructure, character into skylines and peace of mind into everyday life.

A global urban and infrastructure consultancy firm with over 75 years of project delivery success, SJ and its member companies continue a collective legacy that delivers global expertise with local precision.

Become part of our 16,000 client-centric specialists in more than 120 offices in over 40 countries who shape spaces across the world to meet the needs of today and the aspirations of generations to come.

About SMEC

We unlock the potential of our people to look at infrastructure differently, creating better outcomes for the future.

We are committed to positively impact the people, the environment and the clients and communities we serve.

Lead. Grow. Deliver.

We're looking for an experienced Manager – Geotechnics to lead our Adelaide Geotechnics team and play a key role in delivering technical excellence, developing people, and growing our presence across South Australia.

This is an opportunity for a respected geotechnical professional to combine technical leadership with business development, client engagement and team management, while contributing to the delivery of complex and rewarding infrastructure projects.

The Opportunity

As Manager – Geotechnics, you'll provide leadership to the Adelaide team, ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality projects while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.

Working closely with the National Manager, Regional Director, State Geotechnics Manager and other business leaders, you'll contribute to strategic planning, strengthen client relationships, and support the continued growth of the Geotechnics business.

Key accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

- Lead, coach and develop the Adelaide Geotechnics team, creating an engaged and high-performing culture.
- Drive the delivery of geotechnical projects, ensuring they are completed safely, on time, within budget and to a high technical standard.




- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and identify opportunities to grow the business.
- Contribute to business planning and help implement local, state and national Geotechnics strategies.
- Provide project governance and oversight to ensure quality, commercial performance and effective risk management.
- Support workforce planning, resource management and succession planning across the team.
- Mentor and develop technical capability, encouraging continuous learning and professional growth.
- Work collaboratively with leaders across the business to support the transition to a nationally integrated service model.
- Represent the business through industry engagement, networking and professional forums.

About You You'll be an experienced geotechnical leader who enjoys developing people, building trusted client relationships and delivering quality outcomes.

You'll bring:

- A tertiary qualification in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- Approximately 10–15+ years' experience within the geotechnical consulting or engineering industry.
- Demonstrated success leading and delivering complex geotechnical projects.
- Proven experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong commercial acumen, including experience preparing successful tenders and proposals.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills.
- A sound understanding of Australian engineering standards, legislation and industry best practice.
- The ability to identify opportunities, build client relationships and contribute to business growth.
- Project Management qualifications (desirable).
- Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline (highly regarded).





Why Join Us? This is an exciting chance to shape the future of Geotechnics in South Australia while working on significant infrastructure projects that make a lasting impact on communities.

You'll join a collaborative team that values technical excellence, professional development and leadership, with opportunities to work alongside experts across Australia and contribute to nationally significant projects.

If you're ready to lead a talented team, strengthen client partnerships and help drive the continued growth of our Geotechnics business, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential conversation please reach out to Ami: [email protected] To find out more about SMEC, please visit our careers page at www.smec.com/careers

Link to benefits: http://www.smec.com/en_au/careers/your-career-with-SMEC

SMEC is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and gender‑equitable workforce and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds across engineering and technical disciplines. We provide a supportive and flexible working environment that recognises individual contribution, supports career progression, and enables our people to balance work and life at all stages of their career.

As a family‑friendly employer, we offer flexible working arrangements and benefits including 18 weeks of universal paid parental leave. We are proud to foster an inclusive culture that supports gender equity, LGBTI+ inclusion and First Nations representation, with access to strong professional networks, role models, and mentoring and sponsorship programs.

All recruitment activities go through our Recruitment & Talent function and currently, this role doesn’t require agency input. Please do not forward resume directly to SMEC employees/managers; we do not accept unsolicited resumes and are not responsible for any associated fees.

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!

📌 Manager – Geotechnics, Adelaide
🏢 SMEC (An SJ Group
📍 Adelaide