Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Overview

In this role you lead a geotechnical engineering team in London, delivering desk studies, ground investigations, and design for developments. You will drive client relationships, project delivery, and innovative solutions for complex ground problems. You’ll shape ground models, assess soil-structure interaction, and oversee earthworks and piling to ensure compliant, high-value outcomes. This is a strategic, hands-on leadership role in a major consultancy with urban-scale projects.

Pay / Benefits

• Flexible working arrangement
• Enhanced inhouse training scheme
• Life insurance
• Interest-free travel loan scheme
• Holiday buy back scheme
• Bonus Scheme

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and mentor a team of engineers, aligning workload and resources
• Coordinate multiple projects and manage conflicting deadlines
• Understand fee structures, cost management and budgeting in a consultancy setting
• Cultivate client relationships to secure repeat business and identify opportunities
• Prepare proposals and fee bids for new projects
• Develop ground and conceptual site models from desk studies and GI data
• Apply engineering geology in residential, commercial, and infrastructure design
• Oversee earthworks processes, including specifications and monitoring
• Demonstrate expertise in soil-structure interaction, slope stability, and foundation design
• Oversee piling works, earthworks and foundation processes with value engineering
• Execute temporary and permanent works design for robust outcomes
• Exhibit strong written communication for reports and reviews

Key requirements

• BSc in Geology, Engineering Geology or BEng in Civil Engineering
• Minimum 6+ years’ experience in a civil or geotechnical consultancy in the UK
• MSc in Engineering Geology or Geotechnical Engineering (desirable)
• Chartered Geologist or Chartered Engineer (required)
• Experience with National Highways CD 622 process; familiarity with London Underground and Network Rail standards; temporary works design

• leadership and mentoring
• client relationship management
• clear communication
• geotechnical design
• soil-structure interaction
• slope stability assessments

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