Principal Engineering Geologist

AECOM; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Flexible hybrid working model

Volunteering days

Job summary

A leading global infrastructure firm based in Manchester seeks a Principal Engineering Geologist to lead geotechnical projects, applying innovative approaches in ground investigation and design. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Geology or a related field, along with strong technical and leadership skills. You will oversee project execution and mentor junior team members while enjoying a hybrid working environment and a range of personalized benefits. This is an opportunity to impact infrastructure development positively.

Qualifications

• Degree in Geology, Engineering Geology, or Geotechnical Engineering (BSc or MSc).
• Chartered status (Geologist or Engineer) preferred.
• Strong technical skills in engineering geology.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage geotechnical projects from investigation through to design and construction.
• Apply cutting-edge approaches in ground investigation and geotechnical design.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and development for junior team members.

Skills

Geotechnical project management

Ground investigation expertise

Mentoring and leadership

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Geology or related field

Chartered status preferred

Tools

Technical drawing software

Ground investigation tools

Job description

Principal Engineering Geologist

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Employment Type: Full-time

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level

Business Line: Transportation

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Engineering

Work Location Model: Hybrid

About AECOM

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

We’re seeking a dynamic Principal Engineering Geologist who brings not only deep technical expertise but also an innovative mindset. Whether you come from a traditional engineering geology background or have unconventional experience that adds fresh value, we'd love to hear from you.

We’re looking for a Principal Engineering Geologist, to join our Ground Engineering team in Manchester office.

What We Offer

We work for leading UK&I and international clients and have a wide range of commissions of varying scale across all sectors, some typical examples of current and past projects include National Great Grid Upgrade, Thorpe Park Station, Melton Mowbray Relief Road, Network Rail CP7 and overseas work including work for the Royal Commission of Al Ula.

• Energy
• Rail
• Highways
• Water
• Development
• MOD
• Nuclear Sectors

Job Duties

• Deliver: Lead and manage geotechnical projects from investigation through to design and construction, ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Innovate: Apply cutting‑edge approaches in ground investigation, geotechnical design, and construction including slope stability assessment and remediation and ground improvement.
• Provide Expertise: Experience in the investigation, reporting, and remediation of historic mine workings is highly desirable. A solid understanding of quaternary geology and rock mechanics would be considered a strong advantage.
• Lead: Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and development for junior team members.

Career Growth

We develop projects from concept through operation providing engineering and construction services for multiyear, multimillion‑dollar projects for major rail and transit agencies. Our specialists provide analytical and strategic expertise for every stage of a project.

And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM. You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Qualifications

• Degree in Geology, Engineering Geology, or Geotechnical Engineering (BSc or MSc), or a related field.
• Chartered status (Geologist or Engineer) preferred.
• Good working knowledge of common ground investigation practices, ground interpretation and soil and rock parameter assessment.
• Leading fee bids and proposals for internal and external clients.
• Experienced Project Manager with a proven track record in managing projects and client relationships. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in overseeing project execution, ensuring client satisfaction, and delivering high‑quality results on time and within budget.
• Strong technical skills in engineering geology, with in‑depth knowledge of ground engineering practices.
• Experience in the production of drawings, risk assessments, specifications and design reports.
• Familiarity with current design codes, standards, and best practices in geotechnical design, but also open to exploring new methods and innovations.
• Proven leadership experience in similar roles, with an ability to inspire and lead teams.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK.
• Clean driving licence.

Who You Are

• You're not just technically proficient—you’re passionate about pushing the field forward.
• You thrive on solving complex challenges and enjoy thinking outside the box to deliver sustainable and innovative solutions.
• You value teamwork, mentoring, and leadership, and you’re keen to help shape the future of engineering geology.
• While you’re familiar with established methodologies, you’re also eager to embrace new tools, technologies, and ways of thinking.

ReqID: J10141011

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

ACEM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [e-mail] if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.