Principal & Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Vulcain Engineering - UK; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working setup

Minimum 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Annual discretionary bonus scheme

Private medical insurance

Contributory pension scheme

Job summary

Vulcain Engineering - UK is seeking a Principal & Senior Geotechnical Engineer in Cardiff on a hybrid working basis. This role is essential to our growth in the geotechnical team, where you'll take ownership of key projects, mentor junior staff, and collaborate across various sectors.

Ideal candidates should have a degree in a related field, extensive experience, and ideally be chartered or nearing chartered status. The company offers flexible working hours, a competitive salary, and various benefits including private medical insurance and a generous holiday package.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Extensive experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Chartered status or near-chartered with a professional body.
• Strong technical reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of geotechnical projects, ensuring quality standards.
• Manage priorities and project delivery activities.
• Oversee engineers and technicians, providing technical guidance.
• Act as a client contact, supporting relationship development.

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering

Project Management

Technical Reporting

Team Leadership

UK Standards Familiarity

Education

Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology

Tools

GEO-5

FEM tools

CAD

Job description

Principal & Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Location: Cardiff - Hybrid

This role is offered by Crouch Waterfall, a subsidiary of Vulcain Engineering Group.

As part of the Vulcain family, Crouch Waterfall brings decades of specialist experience in Civil, Structural, and Geotechnical Engineering to a wide range of UK infrastructure projects. Crouch Waterfall specialise in core areas of Bridges, Rail, Infrastructure, Buildings and Geotechnical Services, designing and coordinating projects from conception to completion. Established since 1981, the business has enjoyed steady growth driven by a committed and highly skilled workforce of 120 employees.

The Position

We’re growing our geotechnical team in Cardiff and are looking for a practical, flexible Principal & Senior Geotechnical Engineer to play a key role in our continued expansion. This is an opportunity to join a busy, supportive office delivering a diverse range of projects across domestic and commercial structures, rail, bridges and temporary works, spanning both public and private sectors. You’ll take ownership of selected projects, work closely with engineers and technicians, and be supported by senior leadership, with real scope to develop your career while contributing directly to the wider growth of the business.

We are ideally looking for an experienced Principal Engineer, but we also encourage applications from experienced Engineers who are ready to progress to Principal level, with structured support and mentorship provided.

Responsibilities

• Take technical and delivery ownership of geotechnical projects, leading and approving designs for temporary and permanent works, with a strong focus on reviewing and checking the work of others.
• Lead project delivery across your remit, managing priorities, outputs, programmes and quality standards.
• Oversee and coordinate engineers and technicians within the team, providing technical direction and guidance.
• Manage project delivery activities including programmes, resourcing, forecasting and invoicing input.
• Prepare and review technical reports, feasibility and option studies, and associated project documentation.
• Undertake site inspections and geotechnical surveys where required.
• Act as a key client contact and support relationship development and business development activity.
• Collaborate with other offices and disciplines, mentor junior staff, and contribute to team and wider business growth.

Preferred Profile

• Degree qualified (BSc, BEng or MEng) in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology or a closely related discipline.
• Extensive relevant experience in geotechnical engineering alongside demonstrable experience leading technical scopes, project packages or small teams.
• Chartered status (or near-chartered) with a recognised professional body (e.g. CEng or CGeol).
• Experience working on UK projects and familiarity with UK standards and practice.
• Strong technical reporting skills and a high standard of written and spoken English.
• Independent right to live and work in the UK.
• Rail sector experience, geotechnical inspections/surveys, and familiarity with engineering software (e.g. GEO-5, FEM tools, CAD) beneficial but not essential.
• Full UK driving licence useful but not essential.

Why Join Us

At Crouch Waterfall, we’re committed to investing in our people through tailored training, mentoring, and real opportunities for progression. Whether you're aiming for Chartership, developing leadership skills, or looking for broader commercial exposure - we’ll support your growth every step of the way.

You’ll be part of supportive team with an open-door culture, where your voice is heard and your ideas matter. We offer the chance to work across sectors - with proven success helping engineers move from buildings and commercial projects into infrastructure and heavy industry.

With a strong presence in the rail and construction sectors, and as part of the wider Vulcain Engineering Group, you'll benefit from international connections, long-term stability, and a truly collaborative culture.

We offer a competitive salary tailored to your experience and background. Whether you're earlier in your career or bring more senior‑level expertise, we encourage you to apply if this role aligns with your skills, or if you're open to discussing other opportunities within this discipline.

We also offer a benefits package, both standard and enhanced, which is designed to support your wellbeing, development, and financial future, including:

• Hybrid working set‑up, with flexible working hours.
• Casual office attire and a relaxed and comfortable working environment.
• Minimum 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, plus a day off on your Birthday.
• Additional leave purchase scheme.
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme.
• Private medical Insurance.
• Contributory Pension Scheme, up to 5%.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Equal Opportunities

Crouch Waterfall is committed to valuing our diversity and eliminating discrimination. All our employees have an equal chance of advancement based upon merit, access to opportunities, and the training necessary to that end irrespective of your sex, race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender re‑assignment, disability unrelated to the ability to carry out the job, or age.