Principal Engineer 2 (Tunnelling and Underground Space)

Overview

As Principal Engineer, you will lead the delivery of complex engineering projects in underground structures and tunnels, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule adherence. You’ll steer technical development, establish design standards, and support bid and work-winning activities within the Technical Directorate. You will supervise and review others’ work, sign off design certificates, and ensure CDM compliance. This role combines hands-on design leadership with continuous improvement across the office, contributing to SYSTRA’s reputation for excellence in underground projects.

Responsibilities

• Produce and approve design concepts, drawings, and specifications
• Establish internal design standards and continuous improvement processes
• Work across project teams to achieve objectives
• Supervise others, check/approve work, and sign off certificates
• Prepare and review feasibility studies, design reports, and tender documents
• Develop innovative, value-for-money design solutions
• Prepare and check engineering designs and calculations
• Ensure health, safety, and environmental compliance (CDM)
• Support bid activity and financial controls on projects
• Represent the Technical Directorate within the SYSTRA Group
• Support Team Leader with deliverables and personnel development
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and empowerment

Key requirements

• Extensive tunnel and underground space design experience in the UK and Ireland
• 2D and 3D modelling of underground spaces
• Tunnel support design in rock and soil
• Rock bolting design using 2D/3D tools
• Temporary and permanent tunnel portal design
• Pipe jacking and utility tunnel design with settlement assessment
• In situ rock stress testing and ground investigation design
• Rock face logging systems such as RMR
• Experience gaining work from D&B contractors and working on D&B contracts
• Ability to work unsupervised and to supervise others, including signing design certificates

• leadership
• collaboration
• clear communication
• tunnel design for D&B contracts
• 2D/3D modelling of underground spaces
• rock/soil tunnelling design

…