Associate/ Associate Director Design Engineer

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd in London is seeking an experienced Associate Director in Geotechnical Engineering to lead a growing team on high-profile infrastructure and development projects across the UK and internationally.

You will provide technical leadership, oversee project delivery, mentor engineers, and collaborate with clients and multi-disciplinary teams to deliver innovative geotechnical solutions while driving business development in a permanent, hybrid role.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent.
• Significant consultancy experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Proven track record delivering complex geotechnical projects.
• Advanced PLAXIS 2D/3D capability is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of geotechnical projects from feasibility to construction and provide expert input on foundations, retaining structures, earthworks, slopes and ground engineering solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Client facing

Numerical modelling

PLAXIS proficiency

Soil-structure interaction

Education

Bachelors in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS 2D

PLAXIS 3D

Job description

Associate Geotechnical Design Engineer / Associate Director

Location: London / Hybrid

Salary: £70,000-£85,000

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Associate Director - Geotechnical Engineering to join a leading multidisciplinary engineering consultancy delivering complex and high-profile projects across the UK and internationally.

This senior Associate Director position offers the opportunity to shape and grow a geotechnical team while leading the delivery of technically challenging projects across infrastructure, commercial, transportation, and major development sectors.

The Role

The successful Associate Director will provide technical leadership, oversee project delivery, mentor engineering teams, and support business development activities. You will work closely with clients, project stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and commercially effective geotechnical solutions.

What's on Offer for an Associate Director

• Opportunity to lead and grow an established geotechnical capability.
• Involvement in landmark engineering projects.
• Clear pathway to further leadership progression.
• Competitive salary, bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible and collaborative working environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of geotechnical engineering projects from feasibility through to construction. Provide expert technical input on foundations, retaining structures, deep excavations, earthworks, slopes, and ground engineering solutions. Undertake and review advanced geotechnical analysis and numerical modelling. Manage project teams, programmes, budgets, and client relationships. Support business development initiatives and contribute to securing new work. Mentor and develop junior and senior engineers within the geotechnical team. Ensure technical excellence, quality assurance, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Collaborate effectively with structural, civil, and construction engineering disciplines.

Requirements

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent.
• Significant consultancy experience within geotechnical engineering.
• Proven track record delivering complex geotechnical projects.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Extensive experience in geotechnical numerical modelling.
• Advanced proficiency in PLAXIS 2D and PLAXIS 3D is essential.
• Strong understanding of soil-structure interaction, retaining walls, foundations, excavations, and ground improvement techniques.
• Excellent communication and client-facing abilities.

If you are a technically strong geotechnical leader with expert PLAXIS 2D and PLAXIS 3D capabilities and are looking to take the next step in your career, we would be pleased to hear from you.

This is a permanent role.