Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Subsea Micropiles; Westhill; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Subsea Micropiles in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead geotechnical design for subsea foundations and anchors using robotic drilling technology. The role covers interpretation of site data, pile capacity analysis, and soil-structure interaction studies.

You will own calculations and reports, collaborating with structural, CAD, project, and operations teams to move designs from concept through prototype to offshore deployment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in offshore pile foundation design and soil-structure interaction.
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Degree in Geotechnical or Civil Engineering (MSc preferred).
• Right to work in the United Kingdom.
• Experience delivering geotechnical packages to completion under Technical Authority.

Responsibilities

• Deliver geotechnical design of subsea foundations and anchors from data interpretation to analysis.
• Own calculations and reports for projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Perform 3D finite element analysis in PLAXIS 3D and use FLAC3D and LPILE where appropriate.
• Prepare calculation notes and design reports for client verification.
• Travel occasionally to client sites and offshore locations.

Skills

Offshore pile design

Soil-structure interaction

PLAXIS 3D

LPILE

FLAC3D

QGIS

Leapfrog

Python scripting

Site investigation interpretation

Technical report writing

Education

MSc in Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical or Civil Engineering degree

Tools

PLAXIS 3D

FLAC3D

LPILE

QGIS

Leapfrog

Python

AutoCAD

Job description

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Location: Westhill, Aberdeenshire or Montrose, Angus

Hybrid working: Available

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: Competitive benefits package including pension and private medical insurance

JOIN SUBSEA MICROPILES

Subsea Micropiles was founded to solve a major challenge in subsea construction: cost-effective, scalable offshore foundations. Our engineering and operations team is at the heart of that mission, and we’re looking for people who share our vision of a sustainable ocean economy.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As Senior Geotechnical Engineer, you will deliver the geotechnical design of the subsea foundations and anchors installed by our robotic drilling technology – from interpreting site investigation data through to pile capacity and soil-structure interaction analysis.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will own the geotechnical calculations and reports for your projects, working with structural, mechanical, CAD, project, and operations specialists to take designs from concept through prototype and testing into offshore deployment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ground Data and Site Characterisation

• Interpret geotechnical and geophysical site investigation data (e.g. CPT, borehole logs, laboratory testing) to derive soil and rock design profiles and parameters.
• Define and review site investigation scopes with clients and survey contractors.
• Manage and visualise ground data using GIS and ground modelling software (e.g. QGIS, Leapfrog), using Python to automate calculations and data processing.

Pile Foundation Design and Analysis

• Carry out axial and lateral capacity design of offshore piles, micropiles, and rock-socketed anchors to DNV, API, and ISO standards.
• Derive soil and rock reaction curves (e.g. p-y, t-z, Q-z), including cyclic loading effects, for use in structural analysis.
• Assess installation effects (drilling, flushing, and grouting) on the surrounding ground, and complete geotechnical checks for subsea templates (e.g. skirt penetration, bearing, and sliding).
• Undertake 3D finite element analysis of piles, pile groups, and soil-structure interaction in PLAXIS 3D, using FLAC3D and LPILE where appropriate.

Reporting and Multidisciplinary Working

• Prepare calculation notes, design reports, and technical notes for internal checking and client or third-party verification.
• Work closely with structural engineers to integrate pile and soil/rock-structure interaction into the structural design, and with CAD designers on site layouts and models.
• Support technology qualification, onshore field trials, and offshore operations, reviewing drilling and installation data and feeding lessons learned back into design.
• Contribute to design reviews and risk assessments, and check the work of graduate and junior engineers.

General Responsibilities

• Work in line with company QHSE procedures and policies.
• Travel occasionally to client offices, test sites, and offshore locations.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Essential

• Proven experience in offshore pile foundation design, including axial and lateral capacity and soil-structure interaction.
• Experience delivering geotechnical packages to completion under the direction of a Technical Authority, taking ownership of calculations and reports.
• Competence in PLAXIS 3D, with the ability to verify results against hand calculations.
• Working knowledge of offshore foundation standards (e.g. DNV-ST-0126, ISO 19901-4 / API RP 2GEO) and the ability to apply them pragmatically.
• Experience interpreting geotechnical and geophysical site investigation data, and using GIS and ground modelling software (e.g. QGIS, Leapfrog).
• Strong technical report writing, including design substantiation (design basis, assumptions, margins, and verification evidence).
• Experience in a multidisciplinary team, with an understanding of how geotechnical design interfaces with structural, mechanical, and operational requirements.
• Degree in Geotechnical or Civil Engineering (MSc in Geotechnical Engineering preferred), or Engineering Geology supported by further study or practical experience.
• At least 5 years’ relevant industry experience, including offshore pile foundation design.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom.

Desirable

• Experience with FLAC3D and LPILE.
• Python coding to automate geotechnical calculations and data processing.
• CAD skills (e.g. AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Inventor) to review models and drawings.
• Direct experience with rock-socketed piles, micropiles, grouted anchors, or drilled foundations.
• Familiarity with mooring and anchor loading, and cyclic loading effects on piles in offshore renewables or subsea applications.
• Chartered status, or working towards it, through a UK Engineering Council accredited institution.
• Experience in a start-up or scale-up environment.

WHY JOIN US?

• Work on innovative foundation and anchoring technology supporting offshore wind and sustainable marine infrastructure.
• Take ownership of geotechnical design across varied, technically challenging projects.
• Be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering team.
• See your designs progress from concept through prototype and testing to offshore deployment.

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team, and we welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or background.