Principal Engineer 2 (Geotechnical)

Overview

In this Principal Engineer role, you will lead geotechnical and geo-environmental project delivery, ensuring quality and alignment with budgets and schedules. You’ll guide multidisciplinary teams and act as CRE, Project Engineer, and Lead Engineer on high-risk projects, driving technical excellence and continuous improvement. You will support business development, BIM digitization, and GIS implementation to strengthen the office’s capabilities. This is a hands-on leadership role within a global engineering practice focused on sustainable transport infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct teams of geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, civil engineers and technicians on various projects
• Act as CRE, Project Engineer and Lead Engineer on high-risk projects
• Support work winning, bids, and financial controls with the Team Leader and Discipline Lead
• Develop and implement design concepts, drawings, specifications and technical documents
• Establish internal design standards and processes to improve quality and efficiency
• Supervise ground investigations, manage fieldworks and liaise with contractors
• Review and sign off design certificates and technical documents
• Oversee production of ground investigation reports and geotechnical design reports to EC7 standards
• Digitize conceptual ground models for BIM and advance GIS within the department
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and CDM regulations
• Mentor and develop junior staff, monitor performance, and manage team resources
• Plan resources and forecast capacity to meet project demands
• Maintain strong client and stakeholder relations and contribute to business development

Key requirements

• Significant geotechnical engineering design and site experience at principal engineer level
• Detailed knowledge of geotechnical aspects of civil engineering design and construction principles
• Chartered engineer (ICE) or Chartered geologist (CGeol)
• Degree in geotechnical/civil/engineering geology (MSc/MEng preferred)
• Experience with proprietary geotechnical software for ground models and design analysis (e.g., Openground, QGIS, Leapfrog, Slope, Wallap, Repute, Piglet, PDISP)
• Knowledge of Plaxis 2D/3D or similar
• Experience in leading and supervising engineers and in producing design and geotechnical reports
• Experience with EC7 and UK standards
• Proficient in PC-based Windows and MS Office
• Contract knowledge and experience with project conditions, processes and procedures

• Strong communication skills
• Leadership and people management
• Collaborative and empowering team culture
• Geotechnical design and ground modelling
• Desk studies and ground investigations planning
• BIM and integration of CGM within BIM

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