Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Veridian Search; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent engineering firm is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer in London to drive technical excellence on challenging projects. You'll lead geotechnical designs and manage field investigations, overseeing the production of key documentation. The role requires strong engineering judgement and excellent communication to present solutions to multidisciplinary teams. You will mentor junior engineers and contribute to innovative projects recognized by industry awards. The company offers a culture focused on technical growth and continuous learning.

Benefits

Structured professional development

Mentoring programmes

Ongoing training support

Qualifications

• Strong geotechnical engineering experience including design and field investigation oversight.
• Broad technical capability across soil and rock mechanics.
• Excellent communication skills for multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical design for earthworks and foundations.
• Manage site investigations ensuring robust engineering decisions.
• Produce high-quality reports and specifications.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering experience

Soil and rock mechanics

Deep foundations

Excellent communication skills

Pragmatic problem-solver

Numerical analysis

Ability to present recommendations

Education

Chartered status

Master’s degree

Tools

PLAXIS 2D

PLAXIS 3D

Job description

Principal Geotechnical Engineer – London

You’ll be a Principal Geotechnical expert driving technical excellence on challenging development projects across the UK, Middle East, USA and Europe.

• Lead geotechnical design for earthworks, foundations, retaining structures, excavation support, and underpinning systems.
• Manage and interpret site investigations, ensuring robust engineering decisions from planning through delivery.
• Produce high-quality reports, specifications, and field documentation that inform project direction.
• Coordinate fieldwork and provide clear, confident guidance to project teams and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers and help raise standards of technical practice across teams.

What Success Looks Like in 12–18 months.

• Managing projects from end to end.
• Ground-related design work completed on time with strong technical quality and minimal rework.
• Project teams rely on your judgement to solve complex subsurface challenges.
• Investigation programmes and technical reports become trusted tools for project delivery.
• You’re recognised as a go-to advisor by colleagues and external partners.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong geotechnical engineering experience, including design and field investigation oversight.
• Broad technical capability across soil and rock mechanics, deep foundations, and support systems.
• Excellent communication skills – an ability to present clear recommendations to multi-disciplinary teams, and a desire to manage projects.
• A pragmatic problem-solver with strong engineering judgement and a collaborative mindset.
• Experienced with numerical analysis, PLAXIS 2D and 3D.
• Willingness to travel internationally, and a desire to ‘go the extra mile’ for projects, clients and your team.
• Chartered and Master’s degree.

Why You’ll Want to Join the Team

This organisation offers a culture of technical excellence, practical experience, and responsiveness, where engineers are encouraged to grow, innovate, and collaborate across disciplines.

People choose to work here because :

• Multiple projects have won Engineering Excellence Awards and industry recognition for innovation and complexity.
• The firm has been named a Best Place to Work in regional rankings and top engineering firms lists.
• Structured professional development, mentoring programmes, and ongoing training support career growth.