Associate Geotechnical Engineer

elb recruit; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Elb Recruit is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Engineer to lead the establishment of a Manchester geotechnical capability within a multidisciplinary consultancy. You will work with directors to deliver projects across rail, defence, highways, airports and buildings while building a dedicated team.

The role combines technical leadership, project delivery and business development, with opportunities to shape standards, supervise ground investigations, manage budgets and win new work in the

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology or Geotechnical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership.
• Significant geotechnical consultancy experience in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical design across rail, infrastructure, defence, highways and buildings.
• Review reports, calculations and design deliverables to high standards.
• Manage ground investigation subcontractors, scopes of work and quality control.
• Coordinate with survey and other disciplines on projects.
• Develop design standards and processes aligned with UK standards and Eurocodes.
• Support establishment and growth of the Manchester geotechnical service line.
• Build relationships with clients and contribute to bids and fee proposals.
• Mentor engineers and lead multidisciplinary project delivery.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Organisation

Project management

Client relations

Business development

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Engineering Geology

Geotechnical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (ICE)

Job description

Elb Recruit is representing an established multidisciplinary engineering consultancy looking to establish a new office in Manchester. Operating across rail, defence, highways, airports and ports, infrastructure and buildings, the business delivers a wide range of engineering services, including geotechnical, civil and structural engineering, MEP, BIM and surveying.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Geotechnical Engineer to play a key role in establishing and growing the company's geotechnical capability and Manchester presence. Working closely with the Directors, you will combine technical leadership, project delivery, business development and team building to develop a successful geotechnical service line as part of the company's wider growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Geotechnical Engineering & Project Delivery

• Lead and undertake geotechnical design across rail, infrastructure, defence, highways and buildings.
• Provide technical expertise across slope stability, earthworks, foundations, retaining structures and ground improvement.
• Review geotechnical reports, calculations, specifications and design deliverables, maintaining high standards of quality.
• Manage ground investigation subcontractors, including scopes of work, procurement, supervision and quality control.
• Interpret ground investigation data and coordinate with survey and other engineering disciplines.
• Develop design standards and processes, ensuring compliance with relevant UK standards and Eurocodes.

Business Development & Client Management

• Support the establishment and growth of the new Manchester office and geotechnical offering.
• Develop relationships with existing and prospective clients, including contractors, framework providers and end clients.
• Identify new opportunities and contribute to bids, tenders, PQQs and fee proposals.
• Build a pipeline of work across rail, defence, highways and wider infrastructure sectors.
• Work closely with the Directors to support business plans, revenue targets and regional growth.
• Recruit, lead and develop a geotechnical team, mentoring engineers and supporting professional development.
• Collaborate with civil, structural, M&E and survey teams to deliver multidisciplinary projects.
• Manage project budgets, fee recovery, resources and subcontractor costs.
• Monitor project performance, maintain quality assurance and report against commercial targets.
• Degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership through ICE, the Geological Society or an equivalent institution.
• Significant geotechnical consultancy experience, ideally with a strong UK infrastructure background.
• Strong technical experience in geotechnical design and ground investigation management.
• Experience managing projects, subcontractors, budgets and client relationships.
• Commercial awareness, with experience supporting business development and winning work.
• Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Rail experience, including Network Rail standards and project requirements, is desirable but not essential. Experience developing client accounts, building teams and working across multiple sectors would also be advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is a genuine opportunity to take ownership of a growing geotechnical service line, build a team and develop a regional client base, with direct access to the Directors and the chance to influence the future direction of the business.

The role offers an entrepreneurial, multidisciplinary environment where technical expertise, commercial thinking and professional development are valued.