Offshore Foundation Engineer

Position Overview

The Offshore Foundation Engineer specialises in the geotechnical design of foundations for offshore structures, including piled jackets, suction caissons, gravity-based structures, and anchoring systems for floating platforms. This role requires deep understanding of soil-structure interaction under cyclic loading and is critical for the safe design of both fixed and floating offshore installations. Demand is fuelled by new deep-water developments requiring novel foundation solutions and the reassessment of existing foundations for life extension.

Key Responsibilities

• Design shallow and deep foundations for offshore platforms, including driven piles, drilled piles, suction caissons, and plate anchors.
• Perform pile drivability analyses and develop pile installation specifications.
• Conduct bearing capacity and settlement analyses for shallow foundations and gravity-based structures.
• Develop geotechnical design basis and interpret site investigation data (CPT, borehole, laboratory test results).
• Perform cyclic soil-structure interaction analyses for foundations under storm loading.
• Design suction caissons and plate anchors for floating production mooring systems.
• Review and approve geotechnical site investigation reports and interpretative reports from specialist contractors.
• Provide foundation input to structural, installation, and earthquake engineering studies.
• Support installation contractors with pile installation and monitoring during offshore campaigns.
• Assess foundation integrity and remaining life for existing assets undergoing life extension.

Qualifications

Required

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Geotechnical or Civil Engineering
• Certifications: Chartered Engineer preferred; BOSIET/FOET for offshore visits
• Experience: 8–12 years in offshore geotechnical/foundation engineering
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in pile design (API RP 2GEO/2A), PLAXIS or similar FEM software; CPT interpretation; cyclic soil behaviour; pile drivability analysis (GRLWEAP or equivalent)

Preferred

• Experience with suction caisson design for FPSO mooring and subsea structures
• Knowledge of seismic foundation design for offshore structures in earthquake zones
• Involvement in geohazard assessment (submarine slides, liquefaction) for subsea developments
• Familiarity with offshore wind turbine monopile and jacket foundation design