Principal Geotechnical Engineer

MOTT MACDONALD; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Annual bonus schemes

Life assurance 4x salary

Income protection

Pension contributions 4.5–7%

Flexible benefits

33–35 days holiday

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join the Energy unit. You will lead geotechnical packages on major infrastructure projects, oversee ground investigations, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust geotechnical solutions.

The role requires Chartered status, a Civil/Geotechnical degree, and strong leadership and reporting skills. A hybrid working policy and extensive employee benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering
• Chartered Engineer status ICE or equivalent
• Significant experience in geotechnical engineering consultancy in energy infrastructure
• Demonstrable experience leading geotechnical packages on complex projects
• Knowledge of geotechnical design principles: foundations, earthworks, slope stability, retaining structures, ground improvement
• Experience leading technical reviews and project delivery
• Understanding of Eurocodes, British Standards, and best practice
• Experience managing budgets, programmes and client relationships
• Excellent report writing, communication and stakeholder management

Responsibilities

• Geotechnical desk studies, preliminary assessments, review existing reports
• Ground investigation contract admin and data interpretation for ground model
• On-site/off-site investigation contractor management and RAMs review
• Prepare and review geotechnical interpretative and design reports
• Geotechnical analysis and ground modelling
• Collaborate with engineers from other disciplines for integrated assessments
• Assess geotechnical hazards and communicate solutions
• Respond to technical queries and forward RFIs to designers
• Support proposals and client tender packages

Skills

Geotechnical leadership

Geotechnical reporting

Stakeholder management

Technical reviews

Ground investigation coordination

Education

Civil/Geotechnical Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer (ICE)

Tools

Geotechnical analysis software

Ground modelling software

Job description

Location/s: Brighton, Manchester, Glasgow; UK

Recruiter contact: Laura Kennedy

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 thebusinessunit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we're helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Overview of the role

Our Energy Unit provides Civil and Structural expertise across various projects including Transmission, Thermal, Renewable and Nuclear. Due to continued growth, we are looking for a motivated Principal Geotechnical Engineer with demonstrable experience to join our Digital Award-winning Civil and Structural Team.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Geotechnical desks studies, preliminary assessments and reviews of existing geotechnical reporting
• Ground Investigation contract administration and preparation of scope, specifications, interpretation and verification of ground investigation data and parameters for a ground model to assist in design
• Investigation contractor management on site and office, including reviewing of RAMs and monitoring health and safety compliance
• Prepare and review of Geotechnical Interpretative and design reports
• Geotechnical analysis, with experience in ground modelling and analysis software
• Working with engineers of other disciplines in a team in order to produce integrated geotechnical assessments into the overall project delivery
• Assessing the geotechnical hazards and risks to projects and communicating appropriate solutions
• Answering technical queries and requests for information and forward to relevant designers
• Support to proposals and production of client tender packages

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (or similar)
• Chartered Engineer status ICE or equivalent
• Significant experience in geotechnical engineering consultancy, ideally within the energy infrastructure sector
• Demonstrable experience leading geotechnical packages on complex infrastructure projects
• Sound knowledge of geotechnical design principles relating to foundations, earthworks, slope stability, retaining structures and ground improvement
• Experience undertaking technical reviews and acting as a technical lead for project delivery
• Thorough understanding of Eurocodes, British Standards and geotechnical engineering best practice
• Experience managing project budgets, programmes and client relationships
• Excellent report writing, communication and stakeholder management skills

Desirable:

• Expert use of geotechnical analysis and ground modelling software
• Experience acting in CDM roles and advising project teams on geotechnical health and safety risks
• Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers
• Masters or PhD in Civil Engineering (geotechnics or engineering geology) or a related field

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.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• 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.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

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.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.