Associate Geotechnical Engineer

RPS Group Limited; Glasgow, City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering firm in Glasgow is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to lead projects focusing on technical quality and client satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in geotechnical engineering, experience in consultancy, and excellent communication skills. This role offers a supportive work environment with flexible and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Personal development plan

Flexible working arrangements

Accredited training provider

Qualifications

• Experience in consultancy and managing geotechnical projects.
• Ability to influence contract specifications effectively.
• Familiarity with Eurocode 7 and UK design codes.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical input and project delivery with financial oversight.
• Conduct site inspections and supervise ground investigations.
• Mentor and develop junior staff.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge in geotechnical engineering

Exceptional report-writing skills

Client communication skills

Critical assessment capability

Education

BEng/MEng in Civil Engineering or equivalent

Membership in professional body with chartered status

Tools

Geotechnical software for civil engineering projects

Job description

About the Team

The Geotechnical Engineering team provides a wide range of geotechnical design services across all project stages including feasibility studies, ground investigations, geotechnical interpretation, preliminary and detailed design, and construction supervision for geotechnical works. As part of the growing geotechnical team, you will also contribute to and support the strategic growth within the renewables infrastructure market across Scotland and support the multi‑disciplinary Northern Ireland business within RPS.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Working with a high degree of independence to have day‑to‑day responsibility for leading the geotechnical input to projects, ensuring technical quality and adherence to budget and programme.
• Lead project delivery, work‑winning and maintaining high levels of client satisfaction.
• Lead client meetings, being prepared to explain decisions and put forward alternative ideas and concepts.
• Create professional and technically proficient reports, and communicate effectively with specialists and clients to deliver industry‑leading, best‑value services.
• Successfully manage and execute project work with strong financial oversight.
• Lead the management of team resources and allocate suitable project resources.
• Oversee, motivate, mentor and develop junior staff.
• Provide support in all facets of project delivery, including client communication, coordination with contractors and sub‑contractors, consultation with public and statutory bodies, quality control and specialist management.
• Conduct site‑based work to oversee the supervision of ground investigations, construction activities and undertake site inspections.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong technical knowledge in geotechnical engineering with a clear grasp of fundamental principles.
• Experience in consultancy, showcasing solid commercial insight and established relationships with clients and contractors.
• Proven track record in managing geotechnical projects, including the preparation of high‑quality technical reports.
• Ability to understand client needs and influence contract specifications effectively.
• Exceptional report‑writing and client‑communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and overseeing geotechnical desk studies, designing, procuring, and supervising Ground Investigations (GIs), and reviewing Ground Investigation Reports and Geotechnical Design Reports in compliance with Eurocode 7: Part 1.
• Familiarity with Eurocode 7 and UK annex design codes, ground investigation and construction contracts and specifications.
• Proficient in utilising a variety of geotechnical software for designing civil engineering projects, including deep and shallow foundations (e.g. pile group analysis), embedded and gravity retaining walls, earthworks/slope stability, and reinforced earthworks.
• Ability to critically assess and evaluate the work of others, including drawings, calculations and reports, with a proven history of successful evaluations.
• Full driving licence; willingness to travel within the UK and Ireland.

Educational Requirements

• BEng/MEng in Civil Engineering or BSc/MSc in Engineering Geology or Earth Science with an Engineering Masters.
• Membership of the appropriate body (e.g. Institution of Civil Engineers / Geological Society) with chartered status.

What’s in It for You

• We are an accredited training provider – from entry level to master’s degree professional qualifications in leadership & management and executive coaching & mentoring. We support learning and development for everyone.
• Personal development plan and a transparent career pathway to put you in the driving seat of your career.
• Flexible working: agile offices and hybrid working are offered as standard. We’re happy to talk about flexible working arrangements.
• A workplace that works for you – a career here is far from ordinary and you’re not a number.

RPS, A Tetra Tech Company

Representing an exciting new chapter in our business, on 24 January 2023 RPS became a Tetra Tech company. With over 28,000 employees in more than 550 offices in more than 120 countries on seven continents, Tetra Tech is a leading, global provider of consulting and engineering services. As a Tetra Tech company, RPS is proud to offer our people market‑leading development and project opportunities, helping to solve some of the world’s most complex problems. Our projects are all around you – we define, design and manage projects that create shared value in a complex, urbanising and resource‑scarce world. Our people are our success, and we need people who share our passion for solving the problems that matter. Here you’ll find work that is challenging and rewarding, and you’ll be supported every step of the way.