Principal Engineer (Geotechnical)

COWI A/S; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join its team in London or Derby. The role involves leading geotechnical design projects, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, and fostering the development of junior engineers. Candidates should hold a master's degree in Engineering Geology or Civil Engineering and possess chartered status. Effective communication and advanced numerical modelling skills are essential. The firm promotes a collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

28 days' holiday plus UK bank holidays

Formal development plans

Private health care

Flexible and hybrid working conditions

Annual subscription fees for professional institutions

Group personal pension scheme

Life assurance

Qualifications

• MSc or MEng in Engineering Geology or Civil Engineering with significant Geotechnical ability.
• Chartered status as CGeol or CEng required.
• Experience in both design environment and some site experience preferred.
• Advanced numerical modelling skills using 3D Plaxis.
• Familiarity with statutory processes and technical standards, including Eurocodes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and check engineering designs, technical documents, and calculations.
• Coordinate a team of engineers and technicians.
• Assist junior engineers in obtaining Chartered status.
• Organize and coordinate projects from feasibility to detailed design.
• Oversee the development of conceptual designs.

Skills

Numerical modelling skills using 3D Plaxis

Communication skills

Knowledge of geotechnical software

Time management

Stakeholder relations

Education

MSc or MEng in Engineering Geology or Civil Engineering

Chartered status (CGeol or CEng)

Tools

Geo Studio suite (Slope/W, Seep/W)

3D Plaxis

Job description

Do you want to be part of an International Geotechnical team? Can you build relations with many and various stakeholders? Are you a Chartered Geotechnical Engineer? Then, join us to shape a sustainable and liveable world.

Create Solutions that will enable a better tomorrow

To progress our projects, we are looking for a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join us in either London or Derby. Working on preliminary and detailed designs, you’ll lead teams while emphasising the importance of client requirements.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and checking engineering designs, technical documents, and calculations, and supervising the production of design documents for issue to the Client
• Coordinating a team of engineers and technicians and developing the technical skills of less experienced engineers
• Assisting junior engineers in your team with their progression to Chartered status
• Organising and coordinating projects from feasibility to detailed design, including site supervision where required
• Overseeing development of conceptual designs
• Development of project controls and monitoring of progress against programmes
• Ensuring that designs, assessments and checking of designs are in accordance with the current design Standards, Codes of Practice, and best practice
• Undertaking a wide range of geotechnical design work, fully compliant with Eurocodes
• Assisting in the preparation of expressions of interest and tenders, including cost estimates
• Coordinating the work undertaken by external sub-contractors and design checkers
• Maximising business development opportunities where possible
• Project administration reporting to Line Management including monitoring programme delivery, resources, and budgets
• Development and technical assurance of design, including Civils' 3D models and reports

Qualifications

• An MSc or MEng in either Engineering Geology or Civil Engineering (with significant Geotechnical ability and experience)
• Chartered status, with CGeol or CEng (or equivalent)
• Experience working in a design environment (some site experience as well is preferred)
• Advanced numerical modelling skills using 3D Plaxis or similar
• A working knowledge of a range of geotechnical software, including Geo Studio suite (Slope/W, Seep/W) or similar to Repute
• Good knowledge of statutory processes and technical standards, including Eurocodes
• Significant experience in the rail or tunnelling and infrastructure sectors
• Sound understanding of CDM Regulations, specifically the designer's requirements
• Broad capability in geotechnical design (tunnels and underground excavations, earthworks, retaining structures, foundations, soil mechanics and soil structure interaction)
• Sound understanding of the requirements regarding the risk assessment process
• Ability to organise your own time; other engineers and technicians; SI subcontractors
• Good communication skills, both verbally and in writing

Benefits

• 28 days' holiday plus all UK bank and public holidays
• Formalised development plans and yearly promotion opportunities
• Private health care, for you and your immediate dependents
• Flexible and hybrid working conditions
• Annual subscription fees paid for your membership of two Professional Institutions
• Group personal pension scheme – salary exchange
• Life assurance

The first step to success in this role is that you are eager to collaborate with the people around you, whether they are colleagues, partners, or customers. Developing ties with others is something you do by acting respectfully and delivering on your promises. And you never get set in your ways but keep exploring new insights and ways to improve.

A place to work and so much more

At COWI, we work together with our customers to shape a sustainable and liveable world. We do it by applying our knowledge and curiosity – and sometimes even our courage – to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow. That is why we say no to fossil-based projects and aspire to have 100% of our revenue come from activities that move our customers towards sustainability.

We value differences and development and cultivate an environment of belonging and having fun. Because that is what brings out the best in you, at work and at home.

With offices primarily located in the Nordic region, Ireland, the UK, North America and India, we are currently more than 8,000 people who bring their expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment into play.

If you have any unanswered questions about the role or what we have to offer, please reach out to Ciaran Gilfedder at [e-mail].

Get to know us even better at our website, www.cowi.com where you can learn more about our projects, our strategy, what we want to achieve and what life is like at COWI.

Equal opportunity employer. COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.