Principal Engineering Geologist

Mott MacDonald; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contributions match 4.5–7%

Life assurance 4x salary

Income protection and health benefits

Flexible benefits and employee-owned

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Engineering Geologist for its Buildings Unit. You will lead ground engineering tasks across landmark UK projects, coordinating GI, data interpretation, and reporting while guiding a team of geologists. The role blends fieldwork and office analysis within a collaborative environment.

Based in the UK, the position offers hybrid working, with travel to UK and Ireland as required, and opportunities to shape major infrastructure and built environment projects.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Engineering Geology.
• Chartered Geologist status.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and Ireland.
• Desirable: Delivery of Ground Investigations and GIRs.
• Desirable: Geotechnical design experience.

Responsibilities

• Produce desk studies and design, specify and manage GI.
• Supervise GI activities and transform data into ground models.
• Create Ground Investigation Reports (GIRs) and assess ground parameters.
• Take ownership of budgeting and cost control, with clients.
• Mentor the next generation of geologists.

Skills

Engineering geology

Chartered Geologist

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Travel flexible

Ground investigation

Education

BSc/MSc in Engineering Geology

Tools

Geotechnical software

Job description

Location/s: Glasgow or Edinburgh; UK

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

The Buildings Unit (BLD) has a major presence in Mott MacDonald's regional offices throughout the UK and mainland Europe, providing a wide range of diverse and transferable cross-sector skills across five key Sectors; Advisory, Built Environment, Energy, Transportation and Water. We also provide local services to customers and technical leadership to the rest of the Group in these sectors.

Overview of the role

Shape the Future of Ground Engineering!

Are you ready to take your career to the next level and play a pivotal role in transforming the built environment? As a Principal Engineering Geologist, you’ll be a key member within our dynamic Ground Engineering team in the Buildings Unit. This is your chance to make a real impact on landmark projects across the UK, Ireland, and even beyond, partnering with our talented team of ground engineers.

Why join us?

• Work on Iconic Projects: Contribute to critical ventures spanning defence, health, education, transportation, maritime, water, and energy. Every project is an opportunity to challenge yourself and drive innovation!
• Grow Your Expertise: Expand your skillset in the diverse Buildings market, engaging with public and private sector clients that value your expertise
• Unlock Career Progression: Enjoy opportunities for personal and professional growth, as you deliver on projects from day one

What you'll do:

• Produce desk studies and design, specify, and manage ground investigations (GI) for fascinating real-world challenges
• Supervise GI activities and transform investigation data into insightful ground models, guiding design and risk assessment
• Create comprehensive Ground Investigation Reports (GIRs) and assess ground parameters, ensuring each project’s success
• Take ownership of budgeting and cost control, becoming a trusted partner both internally and with clients
• Collaborate with and mentor the next generation of geologists, sharing knowledge and learning from one another to strengthen the team as a whole

Your work environment:

Primarily based in-office, you’ll also get out into the field for site visits, client meetings, and GI supervision—bringing variety and excitement to your day

Candidate specificiation

Essential:

• A BSc or MSc in Engineering Geology
• Chartered Geologist (or equivalent) status
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, high-quality technical reports and explain complex ground risks effectively
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary teams, building positive working relationships with colleagues and clients
• The ability to manage priorities and lead work effectively, ensuring delivery to agreed programme, quality and commercial requirements
• A willingness to travel within the UK and Ireland as project needs require

Desirable:

• Delivery of Ground Investigations and Ground Investigation Reports (GIRs), including technical review and quality assurance
• Mining and geohazard risk assessment
• Application of industry-standard geological and geotechnical software to support analysis and informed decision-making
• Experience managing multiple projects or leading major commissions, with a focus on consistent, reliable delivery
• Geotechnical design experience, including ground improvement, slope stability, seepage analysis, settlement assessment and foundation design
• Record of supporting and developing Engineers, contributing to learning, technical growth and inclusive team environments

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

#LI-AG6

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.