Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Stantec Australia; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Extra leave options

Learning and Talent Development

Mentoring for development

Professional memberships

Salary Continuance Insurance

Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Stantec Australia is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer in Melbourne to lead complex geotechnical investigations and reports. You will oversee projects across slope stability, earthworks, foundations, and geohazards, while mentoring staff and building strong client relationships.

You will drive technical excellence and contribute to strategic growth, balancing fieldwork, design, and high-level project leadership within a flexible, supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Ten-plus years in geotechnical engineering preferred.
• Chartered Engineering credentials preferred.
• Experience leading complex geotechnical investigations and reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for geotechnical investigations and reports.
• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of major geotechnical investigations.
• Act as Project Technical Lead for slope stability, earthworks, pavement design, foundations, retaining structures, and geohazard assessments.
• Review and endorse geotechnical interpretations and designs for quality and compliance.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and identify growth opportunities.
• Lead projects and pursuits, contributing to proposals and technical presentations.
• Promote technical excellence, safety, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop junior geotechnical engineers and specialists.
• Support leaders in identifying market opportunities and strategic growth initiatives.
• Contribute input to strategic planning within the business unit.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Mentoring

Strategic planning

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Tertiary Geotechnical/Civil Engineering

Tools

GEOSTUDIO

PLAXIS

ROCSCIENCE

Job description

Our Environmental and Geosciences team is an integrated geotechnical engineering, hydrogeological and environmental consultant to a wide range of clients working on infrastructure and developments, both for private and public entities across Australia. Due to exceptional success and continued growth in our Geosciences team, we have an opportunity for a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our Melbourne office.

We offer flexible work arrangements such as work from home, staggered hours and other flexibility options. You will be empowered to grow and build your reputation as an industry leader through conference presentations, professional memberships and mentoring up and coming Geotechnical Engineers. Our supportive work environment allows you to tailor your career path ensuring planned investment into your training and development as well as access to long term career opportunities.

Day to day tasks would involve

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for complex geotechnical investigations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality geotechnical reports, analyses, and recommendations.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of major geotechnical investigations across a diverse portfolio of projects.
• Act as the Project Technical Lead in areas such as slope stability, earthworks, pavement design, foundations, retaining structures, and geohazard assessments.
• Review and endorse geotechnical interpretations, analyses, designs, and reports to ensure technical excellence, innovation, and compliance with relevant standards and guidelines.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and identifying opportunities for growth and repeat business.
• Lead key projects and major pursuits, contributing to business development activities, proposals, and technical presentations.
• Promote a culture of technical excellence, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the geotechnical team.
• Mentor, coach, and develop emerging geotechnical engineers and technical specialists, fostering capability growth and knowledge sharing.
• Support Group Leaders and Business Leaders in identifying market opportunities and driving strategic growth initiatives.
• Provide input to strategic planning and implementation of initiatives within the business unit.

To be successful for this role you'll need

• Tertiary qualifications in Geotechnical or Civil Engineering with completion of geotechnical electives and/or major as part of your university studies
• 10 - 15 years’ practical experience, preferably with a geotechnical engineering consultancy
• Chartered Engineering credentials
• Experience in field geotechnical investigations including logging and supervision of geotechnical drilling activities
• Experience in geotechnical design aspects in relations to slope stability, pavement design, foundations, retaining structures, dams/water storage structures
• Experience with engineering software packages such as GEOSTUDIO, PLAXIS, ROCSCIENCE, would be of assistance
• A demonstrated passion for working in the geotechnical engineering discipline
• Commitment to self-improvement and continuing professional development

What we offer

Along with a competitive salary we offer many other benefits to ensure your professional development & wellbeing is ongoing.

• Flexible Working Arrangements including purchasing up to 4 weeks’ additional leave and provision for school term contracts, job sharing and part-time employment.
• Option to purchase up to 4 weeks’ additional leave.
• Learning and Talent Development Programs including Global programmes, online learning and on-the-job learning
• Mentoring for your own development and the opportunity to mentor others
• Professional Memberships
• Salary Continuance Insurance (SCI)
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs
• Service Recognition Awards
• Employee Assistance Program

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites over 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across six continents. We collaborate across disciplines and industries to bring buildings, energy, resources, water, environmental, transport and infrastructure projects to life.

Our work from initial project concept and planning through design, construction, and commissioning begins at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships.

Culture

Stantec is serious about healthy work-life balance, diversity, inclusion & equity, indigenous relations, innovation, community engagement, corporate sustainability, and social wellbeing. We have employee groups for women, LGBTQI, neurodiversity, and more! Our employees play sport, fundraise, volunteer, learn, and have fun together.

We are committed to reconciliation and to building respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We’re better together when different perspectives are welcomed and valued, and we’re committed to a workplace where everyone can belong and thrive. If you need any adjustments to participate in our recruitment process, please let us know.