Geotechnical Consultant

Waterman Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterman Group in London is seeking a motivated Geotechnical Engineer to join our London-based geotechnical team. The role involves site work in St Albans a day or so a week and supports UK infrastructure, building and civil projects with geotechnical calculations and numerical analyses.

You will work with senior engineers to develop practical design solutions, interpret ground investigation data, prepare technical reports and contribute to project delivery while developing your technical and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Typically 2–5 years of relevant geotechnical engineering experience.
• Basic experience using PLAXIS 2D and/or 3D for geotechnical numerical modelling.
• Good understanding of soil mechanics and geotechnical principles.
• Experience in geotechnical design calculations and technical reporting.
• Familiarity with UK geotechnical design standards, including Eurocode 7.
• Relevant experience working on UK geotechnical or civil engineering projects.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to undertake occasional site visits.
• Experience preparing GI specifications, interpretative reports or geotechnical design reports.

Responsibilities

• Undertake geotechnical design calculations and assessments for foundations, retaining structures, excavations, slopes and earthworks.
• Develop and undertake numerical modelling using PLAXIS 2D and/or PLAXIS 3D, including soil constitutive models, ground conditions, construction stages and loading scenarios.
• Interpret modelling outputs, including ground movements, settlements, stresses, structural forces and factors of safety.
• Assist in evaluating soil–structure interaction and developing appropriate design recommendations.
• Prepare calculation notes, modelling summaries and technical design reports.
• Review ground investigation data, including borehole logs, laboratory testing and in-situ test results.
• Assist in developing ground models and selecting representative geotechnical design parameters.
• Contribute to the preparation and review of Ground Investigation Reports (GIRs) and Geotechnical Design Reports (GDRs).
• Support the preparation of ground investigation specifications and schedules of geotechnical testing.
• Assist with earthworks design, including slope stability, settlement assessments and ground improvement solutions.
• Support the preparation of earthworks specifications and technical documentation.
• Review ground conditions and assess geotechnical risks associated with construction activities.
• Attend project sites and provide geotechnical engineering support during ground investigation, earthworks and construction activities.
• Undertake site inspections to assess ground conditions, construction progress and compliance with geotechnical design requirements.
• Provide on-site technical advice and support to contractors and project teams in resolving geotechnical issues.
• Supervise or monitor ground investigation activities, including borehole drilling, trial pits, in-situ testing and sampling, as required.
• Assist with earthworks inspections, formation assessments, ground improvement verification and geotechnical testing.
• Review site investigation findings and construction observations.
• Prepare site inspection records, technical notes and recommendations.
• Liaise with contractors, clients and multidisciplinary engineering teams to support effective project delivery.
• Be willing and available to undertake regular site attendance.

Skills

Geotechnical design

Numerical modelling

Ground investigation interpretation

Report writing

Site supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS 2D/3D

Oasys

RS2

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and technically capable Geotechnical Engineer to join our London-based geotechnical team.

This will involve site work in St Albans a day or so a week.

The successful candidate will have a strong foundation in geotechnical engineering design, with particular emphasis on numerical modelling using PLAXIS 2D and/or 3D, ground investigation interpretation and soil parameter assessment.

The role will involve supporting a range of UK infrastructure, building and civil engineering projects, undertaking geotechnical calculations and numerical analyses, preparing technical reports, and contributing to the development of practical engineering solutions.

The candidate will work closely with senior engineers and team lead, with opportunities to develop their technical and design capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Geotechnical Design and Numerical Modelling

• Undertake geotechnical design calculations and assessments for foundations, retaining structures, excavations, slopes and earthworks.
• Develop and undertake numerical modelling using PLAXIS 2D and/or PLAXIS 3D, including appropriate soil constitutive models, ground conditions, construction stages and loading scenarios.
• Interpret modelling outputs, including ground movements, settlements, stresses, structural forces and factors of safety.
• Assist in evaluating soil–structure interaction and developing appropriate design recommendations.
• Prepare calculation notes, modelling summaries and technical design reports.

2. Ground Investigation and Interpretation

• Review ground investigation data, including borehole logs, laboratory testing and in-situ test results.
• Assist in developing ground models and selecting representative geotechnical design parameters.
• Contribute to the preparation and review of Ground Investigation Reports (GIRs) and Geotechnical Design Reports (GDRs).
• Support the preparation of ground investigation specifications and schedules of geotechnical testing.

3. Earthworks and Geotechnical Engineering

• Assist with earthworks design, including slope stability, settlement assessments and ground improvement solutions.
• Support the preparation of earthworks specifications and technical documentation.
• Review ground conditions and assess geotechnical risks associated with construction activities.

4. Site Attendance, Technical Support and Project Delivery

• Attend project sites and provide geotechnical engineering support during ground investigation, earthworks and construction activities.
• Undertake site inspections to assess ground conditions, construction progress and compliance with geotechnical design requirements.
• Provide on-site technical advice and support to contractors and project teams in resolving geotechnical issues.
• Supervise or monitor ground investigation activities, including borehole drilling, trial pits, in-situ testing and sampling, as required.
• Assist with earthworks inspections, formation assessments, ground improvement verification and geotechnical testing.
• Review site investigation findings and construction observations.
• Prepare site inspection records, technical notes and recommendations.
• Liaise with contractors, clients and multidisciplinary engineering teams to support effective project delivery.
• Be willing and available to undertake regular site attendance.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Typically 2–5 years of relevant geotechnical engineering experience.
• Basic experience using PLAXIS 2D and/or 3D for geotechnical numerical modelling.
• Good understanding of soil mechanics, geotechnical engineering principles and soil parameter interpretation.
• Experience in geotechnical design calculations and technical reporting.
• Familiarity with UK geotechnical design standards, including Eurocode 7.
• Relevant experience working on UK geotechnical or civil engineering projects.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to undertake occasional site visits.
• Experience preparing GI specifications, interpretative reports or geotechnical design reports.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with advanced soil constitutive models, including the Hardening Soil model in PLAXIS.
• Experience in retaining wall design, deep excavations, foundations or soil–structure interaction analysis.
• Familiarity with other geotechnical analysis software, such as Oasys or RS2.
• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Working towards professional chartership (ICE or equivalent).

Why Waterman?

At Waterman, you’ll join a collaborative Infrastructure & Environment team working on a diverse range of projects across the UK. You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of technical work, develop your career and work alongside experienced professionals across geotechnical, civil engineering, environmental and infrastructure disciplines.

We are committed to supporting our people with professional development, technical training and opportunities to progress within the business.