Principle Engineer

Penguin Recruitment; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 30 days

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Bonus scheme

Income protection

Professional subscriptions paid

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment in London is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to lead major infrastructure projects, provide technical leadership and drive business growth. The role requires strategic input from concept to delivery and strong client relationships.

You will manage multidisciplinary teams, ensure safety and quality, and support bids while mentoring engineers and staff across the geotechnical discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent professional accreditation).
• Demonstrable experience acting as a Contractor's Responsible Engineer (CRE) or in a comparable role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and delivery of major infrastructure projects.
• Develop conceptual and detailed engineering designs, drawings, specifications, and technical reports.
• Provide technical leadership and approval for complex engineering solutions.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and industry best practice.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation and client engagement.
• Mentor and develop engineers and technical staff.
• Monitor project performance, financial delivery, and profitability.
• Represent the organisation at meetings, industry events, and professional forums.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Project delivery

Communication

Team management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering

Chartered Engineer status

Tools

CRE experience

NEC4 contracts knowledge

Job description

Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Location: London

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and ambitious Principal Engineer to join a growing multidisciplinary engineering consultancy. This senior position offers the chance to lead major infrastructure projects, provide technical leadership, and play a key role in business development and team growth.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing project delivery from concept through to completion, ensuring high technical standards, strong client relationships, and successful commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and delivery of major infrastructure projects.
• Develop conceptual and detailed engineering designs, drawings, specifications, and technical reports.
• Provide technical leadership and approval for complex engineering solutions.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and industry best practice.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation and client engagement.
• Mentor and develop engineers and technical staff.
• Monitor project performance, financial delivery, and profitability.
• Represent the organisation at meetings, industry events, and professional forums.

Candidate Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent professional accreditation).
• Demonstrable experience acting as a Contractor's Responsible Engineer (CRE) or in a comparable role.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong technical expertise in infrastructure engineering.
• Proven leadership and people-management skills.
• Excellent client relationship management and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Strong commercial awareness and project delivery experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with project managers, contractors, consultants, and clients.

Experience

Typically 8+ years of relevant industry experience.

• Successful track record of leading and delivering complex infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and project budgets.

Desirable Requirements

• Full UK driving licence.
• Sentinel Track Safety (PTS) certification.
• Familiarity with NEC4 contracts.
• Willingness to undertake occasional site visits, overnight stays, and weekend work where project requirements demand.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave including public holidays.
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave.
• Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Life assurance.
• Performance-related bonus scheme.
• Income protection.
• Professional membership subscriptions paid.
• Private healthcare.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.

This is a permanent role. Penguin Recruitment is operating as a Recruitment Agency in respect to this position.