Geotechnical Design Engineer

SLR Consulting; Stoke-on-Trent; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Company pension

Private medical insurance

Life, income, and travel insurance

Salary sacrifice car lease

Cycle-to-work

Job summary

SLR Consulting seeks an experienced Geotechnical Design Engineer to lead UK geotechnical design projects, primarily for the highways sector, with opportunities for European exposure. Based in the UK with hybrid working options, you will guide planning to detailed design and mentor junior engineers.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in geotechnical design, a civil/geology degree (MSc desirable), and Chartered status or equivalent, with travel across the UK and Ireland.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering UK geotechnical design projects.
• Degree in civil engineering, geology, or related field (MSc desirable).
• Chartered status (CEng or CGeol) or equivalent capability.
• Project management and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Strong knowledge of relevant design codes, standards and CDM Regulations.
• Experience with GEO5, Oasys, GeoStudio, Plaxis or similar geotechnical software.
• Strong technical reporting and problem-solving skills, especially Geotechnical Design Reports.
• Willingness to travel for short UK and occasional overseas assignments.
• Driving licence valid in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of geotechnical design projects from planning to detailed design.
• Manage client relationships and support proposals.
• Mentor and coach less-experienced engineers.
• Desk-based work with site visits across the UK and Ireland.

Skills

Geotechnical design

Project leadership

Client management

Mentoring

UK highways

Education

Civil/geology degree

MSc desirable

Chartered (CEng/CGeol)

Tools

GEO5

Oasys

GeoStudio

Plaxis

Job description

SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, working with clients to help make sustainability happen, within a collaborative, people‑first culture.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Geotechnical Design Engineer with at least 5 years’ experience to join our established European Geotechnical Team, delivering high‑profile geotechnical design and infrastructure projects.

Based in Manchester, Sheffield or Stoke (other offices may also be considered for the right candidate including London, Birmingham and Leeds) the role will focus primarily on major geotechnical design projects within the UK highways sector, including National Highways Geotechnical Certification, with additional exposure to transport, energy transition, carbon capture & storage, renewable energy and low‑carbon engineering developments, as well as a small amount of wider infrastructure and built‑environment work.

The Role

You’ll lead the delivery of geotechnical design projects from planning through to detailed design, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams. The role includes:

• Project and technical leadership
• Client management and proposal support
• Mentoring and coaching less‑experienced engineers
• Desk‑based work alongside site visits across the UK and Ireland

You’ll collaborate with colleagues across Environmental & Earth Sciences, Planning, ESIA, Engineering and Global Advisory on complex and impactful projects, with opportunities for European and international exposure.

Rewards & Benefits

SLR’s ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and full support toward chartership, professional qualifications and licenses, we offer outstanding opportunities for long‑term career progression.

Our Flexible Benefits & Reward Package Includes

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life, income, and travel insurance
• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes

We believe sustainable careers need balance, that’s why we offer:

• Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• Buy or sell leave options
• Core working hours
• Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities

Family Life And Wellbeing Matter At SLR

We provide enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, and specialist support for mental health, stress, and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally.

About You

You’ll bring:

• Extensive experience delivering UK geotechnical design projects, ideally including National Highways work
• A degree in civil engineering, geology, or a related field (MSc desirable)
• Chartered status (CEng or CGeol) or equivalent capability
• Project management and stakeholder engagement experience
• Strong knowledge of relevant design codes, standards and CDM Regulations
• Experience with GEO5, Oasys, GeoStudio, Plaxis or similar geotechnical software
• Strong technical reporting and problem‑solving skills, particularly in preparing Geotechnical Design Reports
• A willingness to travel for short UK and occasional overseas assignments
• A driving licence that permits you to legally drive in the UK

Culture & Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

If this role feels like a great fit for your experience and ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.