Mining Geotechnical & Rock Mechanics Engineer (UK)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Geotechnical / Rock Mechanics Engineer to join our growing UK team. The role will support open pit and underground mining projects, as well as major infrastructure and geoenergy developments in the UK and beyond.

You will contribute to rock mass characterisation, develop ground models, perform stability assessments, and collaborate with global mining and ground engineering specialists.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in rock mechanics or geotechnical engineering preferred.
• Relevant post‑degree professional experience in geotechnical and/or rock mechanics engineering.
• Understanding of ground characterisation and geotechnical design processes.
• Experience with numerical modelling software, particularly Itasca (FLAC2D/3D, UDEC, 3DEC) and Rocscience.
• Willingness to develop technical capability and apply advanced methods to solve rock engineering problems.
• Professional membership (or working towards) with a relevant institution.
• Experience with Python programming and CAD / parametric modelling (e.g. Rhino / Grasshopper) would be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of geotechnical and rock mechanics services for open pit and underground mining projects.
• Undertake rock mass characterisation, including interpretation of borehole, laboratory, and field data to derive material and discontinuity properties for design.
• Apply rock mass classification systems (Q, RMR, GSI), including statistical analysis and interpretation.
• Develop engineering ground models, including 3D geological and structural models using Leapfrog Geo.
• Perform rock mass stability assessments for slopes and underground excavations using empirical, analytical, and numerical approaches.
• Carry out numerical modelling and analysis using industry‑standard tools (Itasca software - FLAC2D, FLAC3D, UDEC, 3DEC, Rocscience suite, etc).
• Participate in fieldwork, including geotechnical core logging, site inspections, and rock face mapping during ground investigations.
• Collaborate with WSP’s global mining and ground engineering teams, working closely with specialists across regions and disciplines.
• Travel within the UK and internationally, representing WSP professionally in client‑facing roles, presentations, and site assignments.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Rock mechanics

Numerical modelling

3D geological modelling

Python programming

CAD / parametric modelling

Teamwork / communication

Field investigations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering

Postgraduate qualification in rock mechanics or geotechnical engineering

Tools

Itasca FLAC2D/3D

UDEC

3DEC

Rocscience suite

Leapfrog Geo

Rhino/Grasshopper

Python scripting

Job description

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Geotechnical / Rock Mechanics Engineer to join our growing UK team. The role will support open pit and underground mining projects, as well as major infrastructure and geoenergy developments in the UK and beyond.

You will contribute to rock mass characterisation, develop ground models, perform stability assessments, and collaborate with global mining and ground engineering specialists.