Principal Geotechnical Engineer

MOTT MACDONALD; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join their Energy Unit. The role involves leading geotechnical projects, managing design teams, and ensuring compliance with Eurocodes on various energy projects. Ideal candidates will have relevant geotechnical experience, a strong degree in civil engineering, and effective communication skills. The position requires travel across the UK and internationally, with opportunities for professional growth and employee ownership. A hybrid work model is available, fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Flexible benefits

Minimum 33-35 days holiday

Enhanced family leave policies

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in foundation and ground engineering solutions.
• Experience managing small engineering teams.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification and production of cost-effective design solutions.
• Deliver various geotechnical and ground engineering projects.
• Support larger projects and act as client liaison.

Skills

Technical expertise in geotechnics

Effective communication

Project management capability

Education

Degree in civil engineering, geotechnics, or related field

Chartered Engineer status ICE or equivalent

Job description

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than50 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 are 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 Energy Unit leads WIN and DO work in all energy market and nuclear defence market projects, working at the forefront of the energy transition challenge to ensure safe, stable, sustainable energy is available for future generations. Our multidisciplinary teams provide a variety of services throughout the full project life cycle, from advisory services and feasibility studies, through outline and detailed design, to construction support and site supervision, working across electrical transition transmission, HVDC, solar, battery storage, onshore wind, tidal, nuclear generation, disposal, other civil, nuclear defence, hydropower, offshore wind and thermal transmission gas, liquids, hydrogen, thermal generation projects across the UK and Europe.

Overview of the role

As a Principal Geotechnical Engineer in our growing Energy Unit geotechnical team, you will have the opportunity to broaden your experience and work with a range of public and private sector clients on key and major projects across what is a varied and diverse energy market in the UK, Europe and beyond. You will be involved in leading the identification and production of cost‑effective and buildable design solutions in line with current Eurocodes, reports, specifications and drawings covering a range of project requirements within energy sector geotechnics. You will deliver various geotechnical and ground engineering projects and provide technical leadership through leading the team and managing and overseeing their design work. You will also support larger projects, acting as client liaison and contributing to risk assessments, employing sustainability principles and undertaking budgeting and cost control.

• Ground characterisation reviews
• Lead the design of foundations and substructures associated with energy projects such as earthworks, slope stability, foundations and retaining walls, with experience of feasibility study design through to detailed design and construction
• Lead the design of retaining wall systems
• Lead in 2D numerical modelling for soil and structure interaction issues
• Travel to project sites when necessary for project delivery and client liaison meetings
• Managing small single‑disciplinary design teams or being part of a larger team on major projects

Candidate specification

As a Principal Geotechnical Engineer in the Energy Unit's ground engineering team, you will manage and deliver multiple projects to time and budget. You bring strong technical expertise in geotechnics, having designed a range of foundation and ground engineering solutions to current standards and Eurocodes on major projects. You are an effective communicator who builds strong client and internal relationships, and you work confidently both independently and as a technical lead. You also demonstrate solid project management capability and experience leading small engineering teams.

Essential

• Degree qualified in civil engineering geotechnics or engineering geology or a related field
• Relevant geotechnical experience
• Chartered Engineer status ICE or equivalent
• Experience managing small engineering teams
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
• Experience in the energy sector, ideally in one or more of:
  • Transmission and distribution
  • Energy generation (Renewables, Hydro, Thermal)
  • Nuclear / Nuclear Defence
• Experience developing and mentoring engineers (e.g. DE, SCE)

Desirable

• Masters or PhD in Civil Engineering (geotechnics or engineering geology) or a related field
• Offshore / nearshore experience

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is 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 4x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6x 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, ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.